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Friday, August 24, 2012

One Last Batch of Back to School Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB
© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Fall is Here!

Our kids are back to school and the pups are now left behind to linger around the house. How do you keep Fido busy when their favorite playmates have taken off to class for the day? Here are a few tips:
  • Start with a healthy breakfast and use feeding as an opportunity for classtime for your pup. Ask for a 'Sit' and a 'Leave it', until you've cleaned up and have everything ready to go. It's nice to prepare a meal without your dog jumping all over you, and he'll learn great lessons of patience from waiting for your signal to 'Take it'.
  • Don't skip the morning walk. This will soothe separation anxiety and tire Fido out so he'll sleep the morning away.
  • While you're away from your dog, leave a frozen Kong or other sturdy stuffable toy, filled and frozen with favorite healthy yummies. I like to layer these to create a game of exploration, as each new layer reveals a different taste sensation. Don't forget to include a layer of kibble or treats to add some crunch to the frozen deliciousness. These 'Busy Bones', as I like to call them, will kill time, soothe anxiety and take care of the urge to chew.
  • Once you're home and can supervise, carefully select and offer toys for playtime and to encourage curiosity. Change it up a bit by offering different toys, hiding them, or using games that encourage problem-solving.
  • At the end of the day when your kids have returned home, give them a break from school and have them walk the dog. This will be good for both to unwind, reunite and bond.
  • Finally, evening is a time of boredom for many pups, as kids pursue their homework. This is the perfect time to toss in a few minutes of training. When no time is available, have your kids do their reading aloud to the dog. My dogs love to be read to. Try it and be sure to report back on how yours enjoys this activity. And what about the kids? Did you find they were less stressed when reading to Rover than if they read aloud to you?
Now let's put this back to school thing to bed with one last back to school giveaway. We'll make this one a whopper. Five prizes will each be valued at a minimum of $81, ranging to over $100:
  1. Choose from Castor and Pollux Organix or Natural Ultramix pet food, 15 pounds per winner.
  2. I'll toss in 3 dog training videos to give you some ideas and problem solving approaches. Make sure your kids take time to enjoy these also.
  3. Finally, there's a toy, leash or grab bag in each package, to help make this time of year a bit easier on you and Fido.
The vouchers for Castor and Pollux food expire September 15. This giveaway will wrap up with entries ending Thursday, September 6 and winners will be announced Friday, September 7. Be prepared to check your email that evening and redeem your coupons immediately upon arrival. You can find your nearest Castor and Pollux retailer here and be sure to always follow their guidelines for food transitions that are posted here.

You can enter this giveaway below in the Rafflecopter entry form. If it doesn't appear there, simply click on the title to refresh and it will return from its hiding place. Good luck to you all and enjoy your back to school journey.

Castor and Pollux has provided these vouchers for free bags of food as a promotional courtesy. The remainder of the prizes in this giveaway are offered from All Things Dog Blog. There is no purchase required to enter.

41 comments:



Danielle Murgia said...

My favorite back to school tip is to make sure that you stick to your schedule with your dog. We never skip any of her walks because she's on a schedule. We try to keep that schedule as much as possible.



Larrielle said...

My favorite back to school tip is to leave a frozen kong or treat. I need to get Bentley one of those so his time is occupied



lennyg said...

I agree with the points made by Carrie but I think kids have more separation anxiety from the dog than vice versa!



Carrie, with Tanner and Oliver said...

Good point Danielle!



Unknown said...

I like to get my dog into the back to school routine a few weeks beforehand, so she has time to adjust. jennifer.b.orr(at)gmail(dot)com



Kathy Bradshaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.


Kathy Bradshaw said...

Our favorite back to school event is to walk every morning to the bus stop 1/2 mile away with the kids.



Julie said...

My favorite back to school tip is leave a frozen Kong or other sturdy stuffable toy, filled and frozen with favorite healthy yummies when we are away.



Amy Orvin said...

I don't really have a back to school tip. My dogs and cats stay home with me all day. I don't have kids or go to school. So, we just hang out togther at home.

2dogs5catscrew@att.net



AnnaZed said...

Sadly the back to school tip for Skippy is 'try to learn how to stay entertained for half a day'. Fortunately. Mommy is there to help out.

The Rafflecopter calls me 'Margot' since it is accessing my facebook where I am 'Margot Core'; the Rafflecopter connects to this email: annazed10 (at) yahoo (dot) com



KateV said...

I like that so many of the tips involve 'teachable moments'. Training is so important, yet many look at it like a chore, or think there needs to be a certain time that it happens, or only at class, etc. Any time with your dog can be turned into a low stress, informal training session just by asking for a behavior before feeding, before their toy is thrown during play, before they're pet, etc. Makes for more reliable behaviors, and much happier dogs and family =) Lyric In Time 2803 (at) yahoo (dot) com (no spaces)



Danielle said...

We try to make sure "dog time" doesn't get lost in all the other things that are now happening. And we try to include our dog as much as possible in our activities.
drellis500(AT)gmail.com



CRichman said...

My tip would be to enjoy his naps while I'm out during the day and not terrorize the cats :)
crichmanfreebies@gmail.com



Misty said...

Make sure doggie gets doggie time, not just included, but gets to be the center of attention.



Nancy said...

Take the furkids with, as much as possible, when running errands, but be aware of the temps.



Rick said...

Give the critters special time to shine each day.



Katie said...

Take your dog with you to pick the kids up from school, don't take them with you to drop them off though (especially if they have separation anxiety like my Roxy)



suzy j. said...

I agree to try not to skip the daily walks even when busy, our dogs really miss it when we do have to miss a day.



nightowl said...

Giving them exercise and chew toys helps alot.



cdmtx said...

i always take our 2 Boys with me when i pick my daughter up from the Bus Stop ~ you wouldn't believe how excited they are :)



Abby said...

I take my Dogs to the Bus stop so they feel special & don't feel let out ♥

abbygabbie@hotmail.com



M.j. said...

I have two dogs so they both keep each other occupied if I'm gone...My daughter takes the dogs to the doggie park after school...ciao4now64 at yahoo dot com.



Lisa F. said...

When I was going to college, I just tried to reassure the dogs and cats that they would get mommie for quality time. ;)



Kittie Kat E said...

I like the tip about offering different toys to help fight against boredom. Such a simple concept but sooo useful.



Schooner and Skipper said...

I give them a kiss and hug goodbye and tell them mommy will be back. I hide treats all over the house for them to find. I watch them on my cam to see what they are doing during the day. Mostly napping and playing.



desitheblonde said...

with king i take him out at 5 am and then again befrore the bus come he wathc th e bus and then come in and eat



Cynthia Downer said...

My favorite tip is a morning walk! Great way to wake myself up and help my dogs sleep through separation anxiety and boredom.



LucidEnigma said...

Set up an exercise schedule and don't neglect your dog just because you'd busy.



Heather said...

My doggie back to school tip is moving the bed routine up a little earlier since wake up is a little earlier... my lab is NOT a morning dog lol



attaboyandy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.


attaboyandy said...

The dog training videos would be helpful. My pup is a handful and we've already had some "back to school" issues. Been taking him on long walks at the park before leaving to help.



Anna said...

Definitely have a buddy for them to stay home with, like your parent or sibling or another pup to bunk with in the crate.



PUKEFAIRY said...

get a routine to wake up much early spend time with blue and take him on a 20 min walk to take the rr and spend more time with him giving him his breakfast and then see him back during lunch to eat lunch together and walk 15 min for the rr then spend a lil more time w him before going back to work.



cstironkat said...

We attend dog events on the weekend. This weekend and every night next week there are pool parties for dogs and their owners. During the week we also walk everyday after school.



Michele N said...

Give him extra attention

mneuhouser at gmail dot com

shelly sawicki lash neuhouser



Unknown said...

I love the idea of reading to my dog. I'm a college student with a ton of reading every night so time for Wish can be limited. Most days she unfortunately stays at home with a frozen Kong and an antler to chew on but I try to get her to doggy day camp at PetSmart at least once a week. She loves it there and it is affordable even on a poor college student budget ($22 for a full day)



Unknown said...

I don't have back-to-school. My human graduated decades ago. BOL!! But I love surprises and fun mail! BOL!!



Unknown said...

My favorite back to school tip is leaving a filled frozen kong.



Anonymous said...

I give my little guy some extra attention and try to get him used to my back to school rountine before hand so it isn't so sudden!

-Mona Zavala



Michelle Spayde said...

Back to school isn't an issue here, but I love your tip about having the children walk the dog after they return home from school!



lilyk said...

My favorite back to school tip is to keep to a regular schedule to avoid confusion.

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