6 Practices to Establish a Routine for Your Dog

If you have made the decision to adopt a dog, keep in mind that your new pet won’t only need affection, but also training. In addition to this, it’s essential that the training begins as soon as the dog enters your home. In this article, we’ll talk about 6 practices to establish a routine for your dog.

It’s good for your pet to learn to identify what time of the day they should eat, play, or rest. Routine is important in your pet’s life because it provides calm and stability. It even helps to produce good behavior in the dog. That’s why it’s so necessary to teach them to respect certain times of the day from early on.

1. The time to feed

It’s crucial for your dog to have specific times to feed. When they’re young, they’ll need three meals a day; but, when they’re adults, then two servings could be enough, but this will be confirmed by the veterinarian. Whatever the case, we recommend that they eat at the same time each day.

Setting a schedule and complying with it strictly will help your pet to identify the right time to eat and thus avoid worry or anxiety. Likewise, this fact could help to develop a healthy metabolism and reinforce positive behavior in the dog.

Along the same lines, besides establishing a schedule for feeding your dog, it’s important to choose a place in the house where your pet likes to eat in peace and quiet. Also, make sure you always give them the same amount of food. Avoid overfeeding them, so that your dog doesn’t suffer from excess weight or obesity.

2. Time to go to the toilet

Among the practices to establish a routine for your dog, you should also include a time for them to go to the toilet. With specific schedules, you’ll make your pet understand that there’s a time and a specific place to urinate or defecate. The regularity of a routine will make the dog look forward to the time that they can go to the toilet.

While the habit is being established, it’s best to walk your dog regularly, especially after each meal. Then, by identifying when your friend does their business, you can continue to take them out at the same time every day. Of course, a set “toilet time” will also help keep your home clean.

3. A schedule for walks

Walks are not only important for your four-legged friend to relieve themselves. Through these walks, you can also carry out a good socialization process. In other words, it’s important to teach your canine to interact in different environments, as this will help to prevent aggressive or destructive behavior in them.

In addition, taking your pet for a walk can help you strengthen the relationship you share, as it’s a time when the pet receives much more of your attention. On the other hand, outings are a relevant activity within the dog’s routine because they help to stop them from getting bored.

4. A time for physical and mental activity

Another practice to establish a routine for your dog is related to physical and mental activity, as all breeds need at least a little stimulation in this area. It’s a good idea to assign a time for the dog to perform activities and games to keep fit and burn energy.

5. Moments of solitude

Similarly, it’s essential for your four-legged friend to accept times of quietness as part of their routine. Therefore, it’s advisable to leave them alone for small periods of time to teach them to strengthen their confidence and prevent them from suffering from separation anxiety.

However, it should be clarified that dogs are sociable by nature and it is not good to leave them alone for so long. The sensation of feeling abandoned could produce anguish, insecurity, and behavioral problems in them. Although it’s good for them to learn to spend moments of solitude, these animals need company, attention, and affection too.

6. Rest time

The ways to establish a routine for your dog shouldn’t only be related to meals, walks, games, and exercise. It’s vital to teach your dog that there must be a time to rest. In other words, just as your friend needs to burn energy, they also need a few hours to recover and rest their body and mind.

Accordingly, make sure you give your pet a place where they feel comfortable enough to rest. It’s crucial that the dog has a bed and a blanket in a certain place in the house. Also, keep in mind that this place should provide peace of mind and security.

Final tips

In conclusion, you should keep in mind that establishing a routine in your pet’s life is something that requires patience, but achieving it can contribute to its well-being. It’s possible that, with a more ordered life, your pet will be happier, safer, and healthier, which will be reflected in their behavior.

Keep in mind that you must incorporate each activity into your dog’s routine in a gradual way. Also, remember to use rewards and keywords such as “good”, “bad” and “no” to teach your friend. Finally, don’t forget that you can always count on the guidance of a veterinarian or expert in the field.