Back to school is hard on dogs too

For the last couple of months your animal has had company nearly all day. In a week or two the house empties out at 7am and stays that way until afternoon. That is a big change, and dogs feel it. A few things that make the transition easier:

1. Start now, not on the first day of school. Practice short absences this week and stretch them a little each day. A gradual shift is far gentler than going from all-day company to an empty house overnight.
2. Exercise before you leave, not after you get back. A walk or a hard play session in the morning means you are leaving behind a tired animal instead of a restless one.
3. Make leaving boring. Long goodbyes teach your animal that your departure is a big emotional event. Calm and matter-of-fact works better for both of you.
4. Leave something to do. A stuffed toy, a puzzle feeder, or a chew saved specifically for alone-time gives them a job and makes your leaving predict something good.
5. Watch for the real signs. Pacing, drooling, accidents from a house-trained animal, destruction near doors and windows, or complaints from neighbors about barking are worth taking seriously — start with your veterinarian rather than waiting it out.

Most animals settle into the new rhythm within a couple of weeks. Giving them a running start in August is the easiest thing you can do for them.