How To Create A Routine For Your Dog

Think about your life with your dog for a moment. Do you do the same things, at the same time, every single day? Or is your approach a little more scattered – most of the important parts of your dog’s life are taken care of, but without a defined structure?

The way we manage our dog’s life is often attributable to our own lives and routines. If you’re an organized person, who enjoys living their life in more rigid timeblocks with everything accounted for, then it is easier to create a routine for your dog because that mindset exists elsewhere in your life. Alternatively, if you’re pushed for time and already struggling to spin all the plates that life throws at you, then the thought of sticking to a routine for your dog may seem like an unlikely proposition.

No matter what your life looks like, though, there are undeniable benefits to putting a routine in place for your dog. In this article, we’ll look at why routines are important, and how to craft one that fulfills your dog’s needs.

Why routines matter

You may be wondering why having a routine even matters for your dog. After all, it isn’t like your dog has to set an alarm clock to be up and ready for work, or start dinner for the family at a certain time. However, dogs thrive on predictability and consistency. That’s why you might see them shuffle into their usual position at mealtimes, or wait by the door if it is the time of day that they typically go on a walk. This predictability helps to reduce stress and anxiety as your dog.

Having a routine for your dog is as beneficial for you as it is for them, because it makes your dog a priority. The hustle and bustle of daily life can often mean that some things fall by the wayside. If things are not part of our routine, it becomes easier for them to become forgotten or simply moved down the priority list in favor of another activity. By taking the time to set a routine for your dog, you are creating habits that will eventually become second nature.

Understanding your dog’s needs

Before crafting a routine, perhaps the most important thing to think about is what your dog actually needs to lead an enriching, fulfilling life. This goes far beyond making sure they are fed, have water and go to the bathroom – these are non-negotiables. More broadly, we are talking about making sure that their intrinsic needs are being met. Factors to consider include:

Energy levels. If you have a high-energy, active dog (ex: a working breed, which typically spent the majority of their time outdoors herding animals on a farm), they need a lifestyle and routine that reflects their requirements, including plenty of physical exercise.
Mental stimulation. It is important to provide enriching cognitive activities for your dog, as much as physical outlets. Brain games that force your dog to think are a great way to achieve this.
Potty routine. Having a potty schedule is crucial for younger puppies and older dogs, both of whom may need to go outside more frequently.
Health issues. If your dog is suffering from health issues or recovering from an injury, they may require more downtime and rest than usual.
New experiences. Introducing your dog to novel environments, new people, and (where and when appropriate) new dogs, is a great way to generalize their training and behavior outside of their home environment.

Being realistic about the routine

The other crucial component of your dog’s routine is…you. Well, you and any other family members who are involved in your dog’s care. The routine will be beneficial for your pup, but it is going to rely on the humans to stay disciplined with it. If you are out of the house at work for 60 hours a week, you cannot build a routine that depends solely on you for implementation. In that situation, getting other members of the household or a third party (ex: dog walker) to help can ensure that the routine is successful.

Components of your dog’s routine

Here is a ‘starter list’ for the items you should include in your dog’s routine, along with points to consider for each of them.

Feeding (How many times per day, at what times of the day, how much food, etc.)
Exercise (Duration of exercise, location of exercise, type of exercise (walking, running, playing fetch, etc.)
Bathroom breaks
Training time (Enabling you to build strong behavioral habits – this often provides mental stimulation and physical exercise, too)
Mental enrichment (Brain games or other activities that encourage your dog to think)
Rest time (Time allocated for your dog’s downtime, to aid recovery or to simply allow them to relax)
New activities (How many per week, location of activity, likelihood of interacting with new dogs/people, etc.)

While some activities are obviously everyday occurrences, there are others that may only need to take place a couple of times a week (ex: new activities). With this in mind, you can create a daily schedule as a base, and then add to it when needing to incorporate additional activities.

Troubleshooting tips

Of course, routines come easier to some of us than others. If you (or family members) are struggling with implementing the routine, consider these troubleshooting tips.

Keep the routine visible. Consider writing up the routine, printing it off, and placing it somewhere visible to everybody. The refrigerator is an ideal place as it will be seen multiple times per day.
Stay disciplined. Adopting any new habit is hard at first, but small steps can make a big difference. Take it one day at a time to begin with. Once you have been doing the routine for a week, and then two weeks, and then a month, it will start to become habitual.
Use cues to indicate upcoming activities. Dogs are very attuned to our behavior, so grabbing their leash or readying their food bowl can help them to anticipate what is coming next.
Don’t beat yourself up if the routine lapses. We all have those days – the unexpected outing, an urgent work deadline – the things we can’t always plan for that have a huge impact on how our day proceeds. Rather than being self-critical, just accept that those days will inevitably happen – and do your best to reinstate the routine the following day.

In conclusion

Like any change, implementing a routine for your dog may not be easy at first – but the benefits in the long run are certainly worth it! The routine ensures that your dog’s needs are taken care of, and enables you to plan time into your own day for their benefit.

Struggling with getting a routine in place for your dog, or encountering other issues with your dog’s behavior? Our professional dog trainers can help. We have trainers located across the United States. Reach out to them today to find out how they can help you and your dog.