Moving to an apartment: Does my dog need a strict daily schedule?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I understand your concern. If you are able to walk him at least 4 times a day then he should be ok. You could consider taking him to the dog park as well and just letting him run as that would also help tremendously. That honestly should be enough for exercise and he could be happy at a smaller apartment as long as he continues to be exercised like that. Good luck and have a great day! I think he will be ok.

Moves are stressful for everyone. Some things you can do to help Jimmy transition are to keep him busy and try to create and stick to a schedule. The schedule helps because it creates routines and Jimmy will know what is going to happen during the day, even in new surroundings. If you don't already have one, I would establish one before you move and try to stick to it during the transition. Giving Jimmy as much exercise as you can manage will be helpful, Getting out for even short walks frequently would be good, but also getting him out for a good walk or dog park for a run would be ideal. Utilize walks as much as you can to burn off energy. Walking generally isn't enough for strong breeds. Adding obedience, getting him to jump up on things (like benches and walls) will help drain his energy more. If you're not feeling up for a walk due to your health try to keep him busy inside with mental games. Lots of chews, enrichment toys like food dispensers, or even hiding treats and food around the house and having him search will help his mental stimulation and keep him busy. This will reduce the need to as much exercise temporarily, reduce stress and keep him out of trouble. I'd also recommend checking out a day care 1 day a week if he is good with out other dogs, and if your budget allows the dog walker would be very helpful too.

Hello. You are doing the absolute best thing by slowly adjusting your dog to 2 walks a day. Great job! I would not worry about Archie not going out at lunchtime unless he has any type of medical problem. He should be able to hold things in until you return home. Most pets with working parents never go out until someone comes home from work. I am fortunate to go home for lunch every day, & most days one, or sometimes both my dogs, refuse to go out. They want to see what mom is fixing for lunch. So if they do not go out, then they have to wait until I get home at 5:30. Try to let Archie out twice in the morning, as soon as you get up & right before leaving the house. In the evening, 2-3 times is more than sufficient. He will adjust just fine. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there! I actually think that this sounds like a pretty great schedule for Brody - kudos to you for planning things out so well for him! :) His daycare days should give him plenty of social interaction and exercise, and I think that the walks and dog park trips on the days that he stays home are perfect. I know a lot of dogs who would be very envious of such a great life - Brody is a very lucky guy! Keep up the good work.

Move-in can always be both fun and stressful for humans and pets are like. The most important thing for you to do is to make sure that both pets get daily exercise. Even though they don’t spend a lot of time outside, they have always had the option to burn off energy if they need to. Making sure this is done routinely every day and at the same time will help the anxious dog to feel more secure. Dogs are creatures of habit and they do best when they know what to expect. Establish a routine for exercise, feeding and training early and try to stick with it. If your pets have trouble in the beginning, you may ask or hire someone to come over mid day to take them for a walk. If they are going to be crated in the new apartment, go ahead and start getting them used to that now.

Great question. I recommend taking them out to potty first thing. Then feed them when you eat breakfast. Let them rest at least a half hour to digest their food then take them for a walk. My dogs have access to a fenced yard all day but they love their morning and evening walks to check out what going on in the neighborhood. Let them rest when you get home. As far as training goes general obedience training helps with manners, makes them easier to walk and better companions. Taking a group obedience class is fun and you would get to work one on one. When you work on sit, down, stay, and heel at home you will make more progress working with one dog at a time with the other one not in the training area. They can play outside and inside during the day. Then I recommend another walk late afternoon or early evening. I’d feed them dinner before you eat and keep them inside and calm while digesting their food. Enjoying time with them inside during the evening is good, then one last trip outside to potty before bed. Dogs and people both love a daily routine so adjust this to fit in with your personal schedule and activities. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your dogs.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like Dolly needs to adjust to the new schedule and new people caring for her. Go back to the basics and retrain her to the new schedule. Also, make it consistent. The same person lets her out every morning and feeds her at the same time everyday (even weekends). Go back to letting her out every couple of hours- it is easier to prevent an accident than to fix it. Lots of praise when she goes outside to potty. I would keep her in a kennel when she's not being watched. She should adjust more quickly this time around. Good luck and kisses to Dolly!