Bark Busters Offers Back-to-School Tips for Families with Dogs

Bark Busters Home Dog Training
Published: July 9th, 2008

World's Largest Dog Training Company Helps Parents and Children Prepare Their Dogs for the Schedule Change

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., — As kids head back to school, Bark Busters — the world's largest dog training company — offers suggestions to help families avoid behavior problems with their dogs that often accompany this time of transition. By providing training and the right combination of food, shelter and entertainment, families can help their canine companions adapt to a new schedule.

"When children return to school, the stress on every family member can be huge — including the family dog," said Liam Crowe, CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA. "This abrupt change in routine can seriously affect our canine companions, who are creatures of habit. But with a little understanding and preparation before the first day of class, families can avoid many of the back-to-school behavior problems their dogs might exhibit."

Separation Anxiety

With parents at work and no children to play with during the day, dogs left alone can become stressed, often resulting in destructive behaviors and endless barking. Following these guidelines can help reduce the potential stress of separation and help return dogs to normal in a few weeks.

• Start early: At least a week before your children go back to school, get your dog used to being alone. Begin by separating your dog from the kids and the rest of the family. For example, if you frequently take your dog with you to the store, leave him at home.


• Pay less attention to him: Dogs may be the center of attention when the children are home. You need to change this scenario before the children return to school so that your family dog can adjust more quickly to the quiet time. Pay less attention to your dog for increasing amounts of time about a week before school and extend the amount during the days that follow.


• When you leave: As you and the family leave your home, don't confuse your dog by saying in a sweet voice, "Don't worry – we'll be home soon. Be a good boy." If he is feeling concerned that you are leaving, your happy, high-pitched voice can make him think it's okay to feel this way. Dogs are pack animals and, as such, they expect their leaders to be strong when they leave the pack. Therefore, ignore your dog for about 10 minutes before you leave.

Boredom

Dogs sleep a great deal during the day, but when they wake up, they want something to do. It doesn't take much to entertain a dog, even when you're not at home.

• Scatter food: Dogs are natural foragers who love to look for food on the ground — and will literally spend hours doing so. Scatter a variety of foods (such as bits of raw vegetables and/or dog kibble) around the yard when you leave. (Note that some foods attract wasps. Avoid meats and sweet-tasting foods like apples.) You might even try hiding some treats so your dog spends time looking for them. And always provide lots of fresh, clean water to keep your dog well hydrated.


• Build a digging pit: Dogs love to dig, so rather than trying to eliminate this natural instinct, control where they dig by building them their own special place. Build a digging pit (as you would a sandbox for a child), and teach your dog that it belongs to him. Bury his favorite chew toy or bits of cheese in the digging pit and when he digs them up, praise him lavishly. Very soon he will learn where to dig — and, more importantly, where not to dig.


• Toys: Dogs love toys, but they can quickly get bored with them or destroy them. First, buy high-quality, virtually indestructible toys that your dog will always enjoy, such as those that hold treats like the Buster Cube™ and KONG™. Second, every few days, rotate what toys are available to him. This gives your dog something new and fun to hold his interest.

Shelter

Dogs need to have their own "home." Just as we feel more at ease in our home, so do dogs. If your dog doesn't have a place of his own, create one for him.

• Crate: Dogs love crates. Dogs are descended from animals that live in dens, and a crate has the same characteristics of a den. If your dog hasn't been crate trained, don't start training him the day the kids leave for school. That's too late and can actually add to his stress. Although your dog will soon enjoy his new den, do not leave him in his crate for extended periods of time. If you find you will be away longer than 10-12 hours for a dog and 6-8 hours for a puppy, ask a friend to come by to let him out to toilet.


• Dog house: If your dog will be kept outside while you are gone, be sure he has shelter in which to get out of the weather. Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings. Place the dog house next to the house so that he feels like it is an extension of the larger "den." Provide a blanket or some other soft, inviting bedding.


• Laundry room: If your dog will be inside all day and you are concerned about him toileting in the house, enclose him in an area that is rather small (this inhibits the tendency to toilet) and has a floor of vinyl or tile in case he makes a mistake.

Unusual Behavior

When dogs are stressed, they can sometimes exhibit unusual behaviors, such as jumping up or even biting. It is not uncommon for children to come home from school and be greeted by the dog in an unnecessarily rough manner, knocking a child to the floor. After being left alone all day, the dog has pent-up energy — and when he sees the kids, his excitement might cause him to overreact.

• Train the kids: Parents need to train their children to avoid immediately entering the dog's area as soon as they get home. Kids should ignore the pet for 5-10 minutes to allow him to settle down. With young children, it is always best to have a parent present to reduce the chance of a problem. Once your dog learns the routine, he will relax.


• Train your dog: It is amazing how quickly dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not. Dogs have a language of their own and once we understand it, we can easily control them by "speaking their language." Bark Busters specializes in using dogs' natural, instinctive communication methods as the way to train them. It's simple, and it works.

These guidelines are based on Bark Busters' expertise in dog behavior. Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists are renowned authorities in understanding, correcting and managing dog behavior. In every market where Bark Busters is established, a majority of veterinarians familiar with the technique recommend the company's services.

About Bark Busters:

Bark Busters, the world's largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, nearly 400,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. With 250+ franchised offices in 42 U.S. states and more than 400 offices in 10 countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers a written lifetime guarantee. SPCA International selected Bark Busters dog behavioral training services as the "Best of the Best" in its category. No other training company or dog trainer has received such a distinction.