Dogs can also have a set of daily routines that they can follow. Poop time, mealtime, sleep time, and playtime can all be scheduled. Being consistent with the set routine will allow your dog to know what is expected of her. This creates a sense of security within her. It will also help make your life raising a dog much easier.
Letting your dog follow a set of daily activities may be difficult at first. But being consistent and patient to let her do the tasks every day can finally pay off soon. Here are seven ways to set an effective daily schedule of your puppy’s activities:
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Start Early
After taking home a new puppy, you should not wait for long to start teaching her daily routines. But before anything else, you should have a crate waiting for her at home. In just a few days after she has familiarized herself with you as her owner and the new environment around her, you can now start with your training. You should never delay this as it will only give you headaches sooner or later.
List Down the Daily Routine
When a puppy can follow a daily routine, it can help avoid accidents. She may also be able to find advanced training a little easier. The daily routine that you should start include mealtimes, potty breaks, training sessions, playtime, walks, and sleep time. For sure, it may quite difficult during the first days. However, you will soon find out that your dog has become accustomed to the routine.
Set Your Dog’s Mealtime
Most dog owners schedule the mealtime of their puppies with their own schedules. Because puppies have a fast metabolism, they should eat breakfast, lunch, and supper. By strictly following the mealtime of your puppy, you can determine their time to go to the bathroom, thereby, preventing accidents. Dogs usually poop after their meals, so you should never give supper within 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Fix the Times for Potty Breaks
Adult dogs can hold their urine for longer periods. But with a puppy, they may not be able to control their bladder for a few hours. If you are not settled, you can follow the 1-hour rule. This means that when your puppy is three months old, she may not hold her urine after three hours. This rule may not be applicable when your puppy turns eight months old. Anyway, by that time she may be old enough to hold her urine longer.
Apportion Time for Active Sessions
Active sessions which can consist of playtime and walking outdoors can be scheduled in between meals. This is to ensure that your dog has energy for physical activities. Supervised play is advised for the first weeks so that you can teach while your puppy is playing. This will instill good behavior in your dog. When your puppy has acquired good behavior, it can be the right time to walk her outdoors. You may also be reassured that there will be no accidents while you are in a public area.
Schedule a Training Time
A puppy that has gotten accustomed to daily routines will be easier to train. But you can do the two simultaneously. A puppy with other skills will receive more love from the people around her, so you should never ignore this aspect. If you think you do not have what it takes to teach some special skills to your puppy, schedule a time for a school where she will have a professional to train her. She will also know how to socialize with other people while adjusting to its new environment.
Set a Sleep Time
For sure, you don’t want to be disturbed from your own sleep because of a restless puppy or an accident. To avoid these, have your daily walk or playtime with your puppy three hours before bedtime. Your puppy will easily get her sleep without any problem. You should also schedule a potty break two hours before letting your puppy sleep for the night to avoid accidents in her sleeping area.
Indeed, if a puppy is familiarized with this daily routine, it is not an assurance that there will be no accidents. Sometimes, accidents may still happen if your puppy has ingested something new that bothered her stomach. In this case, do not punish. Instead, give rewards when she is following the daily routines to a T. As said, consistency is the best way to teach a dog new things. Be patient and consistent. You will soon have your dog follow everything that is in her daily schedule without fail.
