Introduction to Casual Routine for Dogs

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.

Molly the Clock-Watcher

Many years ago, I had a patient named Molly. She was a gorgeous black Labrador, much like my Poppy, and she was always cheerful, gentle, and well-behaved. One day, she was in the hospital having a dental, and was due to go home at around 3 pm. However, there was an accident on the motorway and her owners were stuck in traffic, unable to collect her til almost 6 pm.

Molly had been quiet and calm all day. We’d taken her for a walk, and she had spent most of the afternoon snoozing in her kennel. A few minutes after 5 pm, the whining started. We took her out, assuming she needed the toilet, but evidently, that wasn’t the problem. Back in her kennel, she started pacing and whining, pulling at the door, and giving the occasional yip.

Casual Routine

Things in our home are decidedly less regimented; it’s organized chaos, you might say. Our house is always kept neat and tidy, but our schedules are decidedly less so. If we were to get our dogs accustomed to being fed at a set time each day, we would inevitably be letting them down on a regular basis, which isn’t fair to them or us.

Rather than feeding the dogs (and cats) at 7 am every morning and 7 pm every night, we have a 2-3 hour window where they will be fed. In a similar way, they don’t get walked at a specific time every day, and to be completely honest, they don’t get walked every day.

Do What Works For You

If a strict routine is what works for you, then that’s great. But if, like me, you want the occasional sleep-in, to have one more drink before heading home, or prefer to open the door a crack to let the dogs out to the toilet instead of braving the cold, then perhaps a casual routine will work for you.

At the end of the day, your dogs will feel stressed if you are stressed, and they are far more adaptable than we might think. As long as they can count on being fed, exercised, played with, and loved, they’re not going to pay too much attention to the clock unless you do.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a casual routine can be beneficial for both you and your dogs. It allows for flexibility and adaptability, which can be less stressful for everyone involved. By not being too rigid with your schedule, you can create a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for your dogs, and they will thrive in this type of setting.