Do you want to plan the perfect day with your dog but don’t know where to start? If so, you’ve come to the right place. I will tell you to step by step what you should pay attention to when creating your daily schedule with your four-legged friend. I think you will quickly understand your pet’s needs
Our dogs like routine and a steady rhythm of the day; therefore, it is good that you thoroughly think about daily activities with your dog. Thanks to this, your dog will feel confident. Knowing what awaits your pet at a particular moment makes him feel safe and comfortable.
What will you learn from this article:
• Dogs like a constant rhythm of the day
• Routine makes the dog feel safe
• Dogs quickly learn what the different elements of the day are
Daily schedule with the dog
If you take care of a pet, you surely know very well that from the moment it appears in our lives, we must tailor everyday life to our dogs’ needs. Therefore, making a good plan for the day with your dog is very important.
That will give you more control over your day’s schedule. It will be easier for you to prioritize and be sure that you have not forgotten anything in caring for the dog.
So, if you want to know more about planning a good day with your dog, here are some helpful tips.
Why is it essential to plan the day with your dog
Dogs, like many people, are very fond of the daily routine. They feel satisfied that they know precisely what the rhythm of their day is and what activities usually follow one another.
Dogs like to go for a morning walk at a fixed time and then get their first meal to go to the scheduled nap later in the day. Why is it so important for our four-legged friends?
It gives them a great sense of security. They know what to expect, that all their needs will be met, and they don’t have to worry about anything.
Surely you have noticed how your dog senses when it is time for your morning or evening walk. When I fell asleep for work one day, my pet, confused by the fact that I did not bother around the house in the morning, decided to check what happened, waking me up this way.
Of course, we can never fully predict what our day will look like. Sometimes situations stand in our way that can completely change our plans for the rest of the day.
Therefore, you do not need to be afraid that any day will deviate from your plan. That is okay. It is normal and should not demotivate you from keeping up with your daily routine.
How to make the best plan for your day with your dog
First, be entirely rational when creating your daily schedule with your dog. Remember that you create a program not only for a single day but one that will work in everyday life.
You have to measure your intentions. A simple but realistic plan will work better than a very ambitious one, filled with various activities and simultaneously challenging to implement.
The beginning of the dog’s day
Try to get up at about the same time each day. Of course, I realize that each of us wants to sleep off the rest of the week on the weekend.
Nothing wrong with that. However, let it be up to an hour and a half, up to two hours later than usual. This time will not disturb your pet’s sense of having a constant daily routine.
Morning walk with your pet
If possible, give your dog some time to wake up before your morning walk with your dog. Otherwise, it may be a bit sleepy and, consequently, very reluctant to leave a warm house, especially on autumn and winter days.
A morning walk doesn’t have to last longer than usual. The dog should first take care of his needs and fill himself with energy for the new day that awaits him.
The first meal of the dog
I recommend you go for a walk with your dog first and then serve him breakfast. A complete dog may feel uncomfortable walking right after eating. It may be too much effort for him, and as a result, he may have difficulty digesting the meal or feel nauseous.
Therefore, giving your greedy little breakfast is better when he returns from his morning walk. Remember to give your dog fresh, clean water in a bowl next to his meal.
The DUO bowl works well for my dog, consisting of an elegant wooden frame and two removable inserts: one for a meal, the other for water.
Dog bowl |DUO CERAMIC jasmine
Time for dog relaxation
After a morning walk and eating their favourite breakfast, most dogs want to relax and have a moment just for themselves. My dog’s favourite form of rest is a nap.
However, relaxing in the case of a four-legged friend will not always be just a dream. The dogs rest in different ways. For some, a form of relaxation will be quietly playing with a toy or biting a teether.
No matter how your four-legged friend likes to rest, this is the moment of the day that many dogs want to have just to themselves. More about canine relaxation can be found in the entry HERE.
A walk together after work
When you leave work or complete your other chores that day, it’s time to take another walk. If the weather outside the window allows this time, organize a more extended trip with your pet. You can take your favourite dog’s toy to spend time actively together in the park.
It is the moment of the day when your pet can use his energy. Let him enjoy the complete freedom of going out together.
If possible, this is an excellent time to play with other dogs. If you have a favourite dog run nearby, this is a good time of day to go.
Time only for you
Try to make time for just the two of you each day. You can have fun together and spend time actively, but you may as well lie down with your dog on the couch and pet him. The main thing is for the dog to feel your closeness and attention.
Dogs need a lot of time to spend with their owner. It is essential to them. It makes them feel important and loved. Spending time together strengthens your relationship and creates an excellent bond.
Evening walk with your dog
The last walk you take during the day should be as calm and relaxing as possible. That is the moment when the dog is slowly getting ready for bedtime.
Therefore, during your last outing of the day, choose the route that will be most peaceful and relaxing.
Avoid walking past places that may arouse your dogs, such as very crowded alleys or areas where you can meet a lot of different pets.
Such a walk should be relatively short. Let the dog take care of his needs and go home calmly.
The last meal of the day
It’s a good idea to give your dog his last meal right after you return from your evening walk. The doggy will need some time to digest the food before bed. The dog mustn’t fall asleep when he is full.
That can negatively affect sleep quality. High satiety will not allow him to relax and unwind during sleep fully. Remember this.
Time to sleep
Try to allow your dog to go to bed at a similar time each day. Even if you do not want to go to bed, create conditions for your pet to sleep peacefully.
Dim the light in the room where his bedding is located. Try to turn off the radio or TV so the dog is quiet while sleeping. Place a bowl of water for your pet near the lair if he wakes up at night wanting to quench his thirst.
It is a good idea to read a book before going to sleep. While reading, your pet will calm down and quickly swim away to dreamland.
A day plan with a dog in practice
As I mentioned before, you don’t always manage to stick to the plan. There will undoubtedly be days when this can be a real challenge. However, if most of your days run at a steady pace, this guarantees that your pet will be grateful to you.
And what does your day plan with your dog look like? Would you like to share it with me in the comments?
If you have any questions or want me to discuss a topic in the next post, share it in the comments section.