Back-to-School Affects Pets, Too!

When school starts up again, sometimes your pets (dogs in particular) can get really bummed that their little best buddies are gone all day again. Or, perhaps you adopted a new pet this summer and this is their first big "change" in your household! Here are a few ways to set your pet up for success during the hustle & bustle of a new school year.

1) Crate Training

Most dogs can benefit greatly from crate training. It should not be used as a punishment... in fact, it's just the opposite. With proper training, a crate can be a dog's "den" where they feel perfectly safe and comfortable when left alone. This will help with separation anxiety, destructive chewing, and housetraining if you have a dog or puppy who is still having accidents in the house.

The ASPCA behavior team has great resources on separation anxiety, crate training, and more!

ASPCA Behavior Tips

2) Mentally-Stimulating Toys & Treats

Provide plenty of toys that can keep your dog mentally and physically busy during the day. Things like a peanut-butter filled KONG, snuffle mat, or puzzle feeder can be great ideas for this. Just don't overdo the food portion, or the dog may be more likely to have a potty accident!

For cats, something like placing a cat tree next to a birdfeeder outside a window can be great distraction.

3) Designated Walk & Playtime

Remember that dogs' exercise and play needs don't change when school starts. Build time into your family's schedule for walks and throwing the ball around every day if that's something your dog enjoys doing. If you can, take the family dog with you in the school pickup line to greet the kids!

4) Stick with the Routine!

Just like kids thrive on routine, dogs do too. Try to keep feeding, bathroom, and playtimes somewhat consistent each day to minimize stress for your dog.

5) Identification

In the hustle & bustle of busy mornings and shuttling kids to after school activities, dogs & cats can slip out of doors or gates. Keep identification on your pet AT ALL TIMES. This includes an up-to-date engraved ID tag with your phone number on it. We sell MyFamily pet ID tags in our lobby (pictured at left) during business hours, ranging in price from $10-$30!

This also includes a microchip with up-to-date registration. If your pet is already microchipped, be sure your phone number and address are current with the microchip company. If they're not microchipped yet, that can be done at the VHS Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic or at Evansville Animal Care & Control during business hours, both for $25! 

6) Remember -- HOME is where your dog wants to be.

We see a lot of families surrender their pets during busy times of year for reasons like, "not enough time" or "not being home enough." Please keep in mind that even if you don't have as much time as you did before, or you're facing a job change, or the kids have stopped paying as much attention to their furry friend... that is not a reason to find the pet a "better home." There's no better home than the one they already have, even if they see you less. And there's no magical unicorn home that has "more time" than yours does. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good -- your dog would rather be with you than anyone else!

Shelters are overflowing with too many unwanted pets and it's showing no sign of slowing down. The best option for everyone is for you to keep your pet, and we would love to help you work out some options to do that. Please contact our Intakes team at (812) 426-2563 ext. 209 or [email protected] if you are facing surrender of a beloved pet so we can do our best to provide you with resources to keep them!