if kids are going back to school soon, your dog might need some prep too

Routine changes hit dogs harder than people realize. A summer of having everyone home and then suddenly being alone for seven hours is a real adjustment — and dogs don't get an explanation for why everything changed overnight.

I work at The Farmer's Dog and this comes up a lot this time of year. A few things that actually help: start mirroring the fall schedule now before it happens. Leave the house for short stretches and build up gradually. Consistent meal times are also doing more work than people give them credit for — a dog that knows when food is coming feels more settled overall.

The counter-conditioning piece is also worth knowing. Giving a dog something engaging right as you leave — a frozen lick mat, a stuffed Kong — builds a positive association with departures instead of an anxious one.

Has anyone done any prep for schedule changes or does it usually just sort itself out?