5 Ways to Make the Transition to Fall Easier For Your Dog
While some of us are ready for pumpkin spice everything, it’s never easy saying goodbye to those sweet summer days. Goodbye pools, goodbye sunbathing and goodbye to those long summer days where the sun seemed like it never wanted to go to bed. The good news is that with fall on its way, your pup will probably be excited to say hello to those cooler temps and less bugs around them. The transition from summer to fall can be a bit tricky with the addition of school buses, less people at home during the day and the sun going down a lot sooner. Don’t fret! We have 5 simple solutions to help make the transition from summer to fall go a little smoother for your furry four-legged friend.
1. Alter your schedules. Schedules for summer and fall will look different for your dog, especially when it comes to walking times and being outside. To beat the summer heat, your dog most likely got used to walking early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures were more comfortable. With fall and winter bringing an earlier darkness and more favorable temps, you’ll probably opt for a later morning walk and an earlier evening one. Dogs can be very sensitive to schedule changes, so try moving to your new schedule in 15 minute intervals to help them out. They are creatures of habit after all.
2. Keep a light on. Something we quickly forget is how much less sunlight we get in the later months of the year when it comes to our work schedules. You may be leaving for work in the dark and returning to a dark house as well, so remember to keep a light on in the house for your dog so they don’t get stuck in the dark waiting for you. If you have timers, it would be a great time to figure out the perfect time for the lights to come on before dark settles.
3. Consider new dog beds. Check out your dog's beds and blankets to see if they are going to be warm enough for the upcoming drop in temperatures. It’s never too early to get a jump start on upgrading for the coming seasons to stay ahead of everything. If you have a senior dog, they may appreciate a heated bed or something that has more lining and fleece to keep their muscles and joints warmer.
4. Plan for back to school. One of the biggest changes for your pet is the transition into your new schedule with back to school. Since your pets have been used to having someone home and getting endless amounts of attention, you’ll need to schedule them into your busy back-to-school routine to make sure they’re not left out. Here are some helpful guidelines on how to help them with the transition:
Make sure everyone is up early enough to give some attention to your furry friends before leaving for school and work. This time should include feeding, walks and some playtime.
To help with boredom and being alone, rotate your dog's toys every week so they have something new to play with. You could also think about getting some interactive toys for extra entertainment.
Make time after school and work to give some extra attention to your dog. Carve out that time in the early evening and plan a walk or some playtime.
Plan weekend activities that you can incorporate your dog into such as hikes, short trips and just enjoying time outside looking at the fall foliage.
Find a local dog walker! Give them something to look forward to in the middle of the day to help neutralize their energy while giving them an outlet while you’re gone. Contact Going Mutts Pet Services to find the paw-fect dog walker for you and Fido!
5. Be observant with wildlife. By the end of summer both you and your dog have become used to the bugs and critters that come with the summer life and as fall approaches, some wildlife will hunker down for hibernation while other animals become more active. During the fall you can almost guarantee to always see squirrels, chipmunks and other related animals on and around trees as they start to collect their nuts and seeds for the winter. While they don’t represent a threat to your dog, they can make Fido go a little crazy when you’re out on a walk so just be a little more observant while walking through parks and neighborhoods with these little critters. Beehives and wasp nests typically reach their maximum population density in the fall and fire ants often grow their mounds extremely big by the fall as well, so keep an eye out for these stinging insects. Snakes are another animal to watch out for on those hikes - while you may think they are more common in the summer months, they enjoy the more hospitable temperatures of the fall and typically their babies hatch during the fall season.
Although your dog may have the summer blues, cooler temps and leaves will have them wagging their tails for joy in no time. Fall can be a time of exploring and soaking in the changing scenery with your furry sidekick, so take that detour and find a new path to charge forth on. Remember to always think about and include your pup in your changing schedule and extra attention and belly rubs are always welcomed!
We at Going Mutts Pet Services understand that fall can become a busy time for pet owners with schedules being altered, kids going back to school and your pets left alone a little bit longer than they’re used to. So let us take care of one thing off your to-do list: dog walks! Daily dog walks would be a great addition to your fall schedule to help your pup get out and about while you’re away from the house. Drop us an email → info@goingmuttspetservices.com → or stop by our website to fill out a contact form to let us know how we can help you!
Sources:
https://sykesvillevetclinic.com/news/9-ways-get-dog-ready-fall/
