Do Dogs Need Routine? Tips and Advice For Dog Parents

Maintaining a routine for dogs is paramount for their overall well-being and happiness. Just as humans thrive on predictability and structure, so do our canine companions. The importance of routine in a dog’s life cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in their emotional and physical health.

Dogs find security and comfort in knowing what to expect each day, whether it’s mealtimes, exercise, or play. Routine promotes stability and reduces anxiety, creating a safe environment where they can flourish. With that in mind, some dogs may struggle with adapting to change, leading to signs of stress or restlessness. This is where ADAPTIL comes into play as a trusted solution to alleviate anxiety in dogs through pheromone therapy. ADAPTIL Calm Diffusers and Collars provide an extra layer of reassurance to your dog, including any changes in their routine.

For dog parents seeking advice on how to establish and maintain a healthy routine, keeping to a consistent schedule, providing plenty of exercise, and utilising tools like ADAPTIL can make a world of difference to their overall happiness and wellbeing.

The Benefits Of A Routine

Dogs find a sense of routine reassuring as it helps them to predict when activities are going to happen. In fact, establishing and maintaining a routine for dogs helps promote their physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing as It helps them to predict when activities are going to happen. The benefits of this can include:

1. Reduced Anxiety: A consistent routine provides a sense of security and predictability for dogs. They know what to expect, which can then help reduce anxiety and stress. For dogs struggling with anxiety, ADAPTIL Calm can be an invaluable tool to provide reassurance and comfort.
2. Physical Health: Regular feeding and exercise schedules promote better physical health. Dogs that receive the right amount of nutrition and exercise reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues.
3. Mental Stimulation: Providing regular activities that encourage mental stimulation can be a great way to prevent boredom from setting in. After all, mental exercise is just as crucial as physical exercise for a dog’s wellbeing! A simple solution would be to make time for regular training sessions, which has the added bonus of helping to build your bond together. 
4. Improved Sleep: A routine can help your canine companion to feel more relaxed, which in turn can help them to get a better night’s sleep. This will help their overall wellbeing and energy levels during the day.

Our advice for dog parents is to establish a daily routine that is relatively simple to maintain. Feeding, exercise, playtime, and rest should occur at roughly the same times each day. You don’t need to be too rigid as this could potentially lead to its own issues. For instance, if you get stuck in traffic and arrive home later than usual, this change could become a source of stress or worry. However, having the general flow of a routine can be a great help!

On this note, learning to recognise how your dog is feeling can be highly beneficial here. If you see your dog is feeling stressed or is struggling to cope with any variation in their routine, consider using ADAPTIl Calm to create a reassuring environment and better help them to adapt.

Adapting Your Routine To Your Dog

Adapting the routine for dogs according to their life stage, be it a lively puppy or a senior dog, is important for their wellbeing. Different age groups have specific needs, and understanding these differences is essential for providing the best care. 

Puppies: Routine will help a pup settle into their new home. They’ll learn where and when mealtimes are, when exercise happens, and when they can toilet – all of which can help them to settle and rest. The key here is consistency. Repetition will help with their shorter-term memory while good habits now can help your pup develop into a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog. The ideal routine for puppies will include toilet training, short sessions of play, and also training for your pup to handle spending time alone. ADAPTIL Junior can be helpful to ease the transition for puppies as they learn about their new home, family, and routines. It’s also a good support during training as it helps your pup to feel calm and ready to learn!

And remember, a puppy’s routine should revolve around socialisation, training, and catering for their abundant energy – which also includes providing plenty of time for rest!

Senior Dogs: As dogs age, they typically become less active, less able to cope with change, and more in need of comfort and relaxation. A familiar routine is comforting for older dogs, but adjusting their routine to include shorter walks and longer rest periods can be helpful. Senior dogs might also benefit from the soothing effects of an ADAPTIL Calm Diffuser, which can help ease the anxiety and fear associated with any changes in their home or routine.

While establishing a fresh routine for your dog, you should consider introducing changes gradually to ease their adjustment and minimise stress indicators. Our ADAPTIL Calm Diffusers can be valuable during this transition. Just plug them in near their preferred resting spot or provide them with an ADAPTIL Collar. 

On this note, one of the biggest changes a dog can experience is moving house. While everything around them will be different in the new home, you should try to keep your dog’s general routine the same. You can ease this process and provide some much-needed reassurance by using their usual bedding while also having an ADAPTIL Calm Diffuser plugged in nearby. 

You can keep up to date with our latest blogs, Q&As, tips and advice by signing up for our newsletter. If you’d like any more tips on keeping a routine for your dogs, then get in touch. We’re always interested in hearing more about your dogs’ situations and how we can help!