Summer passed in the blink of an eye, and Labor Day is next week–which usually signals the unofficial end of the season and the start of the new school year. Your dog has had a blast playing with your kids (and probably half the neighborhood) for the past three months, so it’s understandable when he feels sad watching his BKFs (best kid friends) board the school bus those first few weeks. Dogs, like most animals, are generally creatures of habit and the start of the new school year means an upset to his usual routine–and now his little buddies are gone all day long. What’s a dog parent to do? Here are a few suggestions to raise your furry friend’s canine spirits and chase those doggie back-to-school blues away.
If you aren’t currently walking your dog at least once a day, you need to start. If you’re already walking him once a day, good for you–now try taking him on an additional walk (weather and his health permitting). But rather than following the same route you always do, try walking in a different direction or in a part of your community that you haven’t explored with him yet. Your dog will enjoy the new sights, sounds, and smells, and you may make a new friend or two along the way.
If there is a dog park nearby, this is another opportunity for your dog to run and play off-leash. Dog parks are usually run by the local Parks and Recreation Department, so it’s wise to call or visit their office first to find out what the rules and regulations are. Ideally, they will require a completed entrance form to prove that your dog is spayed/neutered, current on vaccines, and non-aggressive. A registration fee is also standard. Before you and your dog join, you should find out how the park is monitored, how often it is cleaned, and what the hours of operation are. Then you should pay a visit to the park itself (without your dog) and observe the situation. If you are satisfied that this is a good place to bring your dog, then go for it!
Please bear in mind that some parks are cleaner and more closely monitored than others. We no longer belong to our local dog park for a couple of reasons. One was that pet parents weren’t picking up after their dogs, but the greater concern was that the Parks and Recreation people had installed a gate with a card reader. Anyone who legitimately joined the park and paid the fee was given a card. However, the gate kept getting broken by pet owners who did not want to have to register their dogs or pay the fee. Some of the unregistered dogs were not spayed or neutered and were aggressive. We decided not to put our dogs at risk. When you visit the park with your dog, make sure you bring potty bags (some parks supply them while others don’t) and fresh water for your pup. Keep a close eye on him as he interacts with the other dogs to ensure that everyone plays nicely.
Another option to lift your pup’s spirits is to enroll him in doggie daycare. (We jokingly call this ‘puppy preschool’.) Tuition varies, and some daycares offer a discount if you enroll more than one dog. Just like the dog park, you will be required to complete an enrollment application and provide proof that your dog is spayed/neutered, current on vaccines (including bordetella), and is non-aggressive. He will also likely be required to pass a temperament test prior to attending to make sure he plays nicely and is not intimidated by a large group of dogs.
Before you apply, contact the facility and see if you can arrange a tour. While you’re touring, take mental notes of how clean the facility is, the staff-to-dog ratio, staff interaction with the dogs, and what toys/activities are provided. The ‘students’ should also be separated by size (little dogs together, big dogs together in separate areas) because little dogs can accidentally be injured by an overenthusiastic bigger dog who doesn’t know his own strength.
Need help in choosing a daycare? Ask dog-owning friends, relatives, and neighbors for recommendations. The daycare we use has over 400 dogs enrolled–but (thank goodness) not all are attending at once. This daycare offers boarding as well, so some of the ‘students’ are strictly boarders. Most students attend only one or two days a week, so on any given day, there are approximately 40 dogs on the premises. The owner is also heavily involved in pet rescue and her staff are all knowledgeable, dedicated animal lovers.
The facility is in what used to be a warehouse, so it’s very roomy and clean, with lots of toys and places to nap. An outdoor patio contains kiddie pools for summer water fun, and there is plenty of shade as well. Dogs are separated by size into two areas: Pawcific Heights (for the big guys) and Bark Avenue (for the little ones). The facility also utilizes a webcam so pet parents can tune in during the day and watch their furry darlings in action. My 9-year-old Golden Retriever, Cosmo, has been attending for about 6 years, and my 18-month-old Border Collie mix, Tara, for about 5 months. Both dogs do the ‘Happy Dance’ when I tell them we’re going to school, and they practically jerk my arm out of its socket in their eagerness to get inside and play with their friends. In the evening, I pick up two tired and happy dogs who just want to have dinner and go night-night. I have recommended this particular daycare to several dog parents. It’s a wonderful way for your dog to socialize and have fun. Maybe he’ll forget all about the kids going back to school!
Here’s to a happy, active autumn for you and your dog!
