Most pet owners miss how daylight savings impact on dogs can shake up their routines. When clocks fall back, your dog’s usual habits can feel off, leaving you wondering why behavior changes pop up out of nowhere. This guide breaks down what to expect and shares practical tips for a smooth fall back dog adjustment that keeps your pet calm and happy.

Impact of Daylight Savings End on Dogs
When daylight savings ends, the shift can be more than just adjusting your clocks. It can affect your dog's internal clock too, causing unexpected behavior changes. Let's delve into what you might notice during this time.

Understanding Dog Behavior Changes
Dogs thrive on routine. Suddenly shifting their schedule can lead to confusion and stress. You might observe your dog acting restless or anxious, or see them napping at unusual times. Such changes can seem puzzling, but they are simply adapting to the new schedule. It's a good time to be patient and observant. Pay attention to any dramatic changes, as these might indicate your pet needs more support during this transition.

Pets' Routine Disruption
Routine forms the backbone of your dog's day. When daylight savings disrupts this, pets may seem out of sorts. Imagine expecting breakfast at a certain time, only to have it delayed. This can make your furry friend feel unsettled. To minimize this, gradually adjust their feeding and walking times before the clocks change. This helps ease the transition and reduces stress.

Helping Dogs Adjust to Spring Forward
Adjusting to daylight savings can be smoother with a few thoughtful strategies. Here’s how you can help your furry companion adapt to the change in time.

Fall Back Dog Adjustment Tips
Easing your dog into the new time schedule can be done with a few simple steps. First, adjust their feeding and playtime by 10-15 minutes each day leading up to the change. This gradual shift helps their internal clock reset more comfortably. Bonus tip: maintain a calm environment during this period to support their adjustment process. It's also a great opportunity to spend extra quality time together, reinforcing your bond and keeping them reassured.

Positive Reinforcement Strategies
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in helping your pet adjust. Rewarding calm behavior during this transition can help ease anxiety. When your dog sticks to the new routine, offer treats or praise. This not only encourages them but also strengthens your bond. Most people think dogs can't understand such changes, but they often surprise us with their adaptability when guided positively.

Pet Care During Daylight Savings
Caring for your pet when daylight savings end involves understanding their needs and helping them adapt. Let’s explore ways to manage routine disruptions and the essentials that make this period easier.

Managing Pets' Routine Disruption
To manage routine disruptions, it's essential to remain consistent. Stick to your adjusted schedule as closely as possible. Over time, your dog will adapt, finding comfort in the predictability you've established. Remember, patience is key during this adjustment phase. It’s a chance to learn more about your pet’s adaptability and resilience.

Essential Training Products and Services
During this period, certain training tools can be beneficial. Interactive toys can keep your dog engaged, helping to divert any stress or anxiety. Consider products like a Tail Teaser (#CommissionsEarned) or engaging puzzles (#CommissionsEarned) that promote mental stimulation. These items not only entertain but also reinforce positive behavior. For those seeking professional guidance, online training videos offer a supportive resource to help navigate any behavioral challenges.

By understanding and supporting your dog during daylight savings, you're not just helping them adjust—you’re strengthening the bond you share. With patience and the right approach, this transition can be a positive experience, deepening the connection between you and your furry friend.

​Why Punishment Fails: Embracing Compassionate Training for Lasting Bonds
Punishment might seem like a quick fix, but it often backfires, leaving both you and your dog frustrated. If you’ve felt stuck or discouraged by harsh training methods, you’re not alone. Switching to compassionate training with positive reinforcement can change everything—building trust, improving behavior, and deepening your bond with your dog. Let’s explore why this approach works better and how it can bring out the best in your furry friend. For more insights on why punishment might not be the best approach, check out this link.

Why Punishment Fails
When it comes to training, punishment often seems like an easy solution. But it can lead to more problems than it solves, affecting your dog's mental health and your relationship.
Shortcomings of Punishment-Based MethodsPunishment might stop a behavior temporarily, but it doesn't teach your dog what to do instead. Dogs may become confused, anxious, or fearful. They might even start associating the punishment with you, damaging your bond. Research shows that harsh methods can lead to increased aggression and stress in dogs. For a deeper understanding of the negative effects of punishment, this study is worth a read.

Emotional Impact on Dogs
Imagine being constantly scolded without understanding why. This is what your dog feels when punished. It can lead to anxiety and a lack of trust. Over time, your dog might become withdrawn or even aggressive. Recognizing these emotional impacts can help you see the importance of a compassionate approach.

Common Misconceptions
Many people think punishment will teach the dog who is in charge. In reality, it often leads to fear-based compliance rather than genuine understanding. Most believe "tough love" works, but positive reinforcement is far more effective in creating lasting change. To learn more about how punishment can harm dogs, visit this source.

With Covid restrictions lifting we will find our selves getting back into our preCovid lifestyle. To some of our pups this will not be a smooth transition. They have normalized life with Covid. They have developed habits and routines. Disrupting their routines and habits can bring sickness. One of those is Kennel Cough.  When a dogs become stressed their immune system can be affected and become more prone to kennel cough. To learn more about kennel cough please follow this link (kennel cough) . 

Now is a good time to start supporting your pup's immune system. Just like their human owners, if they do not have great immune systems, they will be more susceptible to viruses. Please read up on how to support your dog's immune system during this stressful time getting back to normalcy. www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/prevent-kennel-cough/

Always check with your vet on other ways to boost your pup's immune system. The example above is just one of many recommendations. 

The 4th of July is right around the corner and wondering what you can do for your pup? I great way to help the situation is by playing the following you tube video for your pup to help desensitize them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7FANXaanG4
Once the video opens you can right click on the video to loop it so it can play continuously.
 
For the next couple of days play this video off and on throughout the day while giving them a tasty treat (bully stick, Kong filled with yummy treats, etc.) at first playing it quietly and slowly making it louder with each time it is played.
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On the day of the fireworks keep your puppy in a place that they are comfortable in (suggestion…inner room of the house where the sound is more muffled). You can also place the puppy in that room while you are giving them yummy treats and listening to the recordings leading up to July 4th.  On July 4th you will want to start playing the video softly with every passing hour increasing the sound as the dog is feeling at ease. If you find your pup getting anxious you may want to increase the sound at a slower rate.  By the time the fireworks are getting ready to start the volume should be at the highest your speakers can handle. Once the real fireworks start your pup won’t even notice them as they will be blended with the sound that is already playing. 

Music! 
Play soothing music or a sound machine for the dog while he is crated. One of my favorites is www.caninelullabies.com.  Put dim lighting on to encourage quiet time. Some dogs do best when their crate is covered with a towel or blanket.

If the dog is resistant to a crate initially, unless you are training your dog with some treats, make sure ALL other meals and treats are given in the crate. Then place the dog in the crate but do not leave the room. Allow the dog to remain in the crate for just minutes, gradually increasing the time and eventually leaving the room and then the house for short intervals. The goal is to condition the animal to see the crate as positive and short term and to assure him that you are returning. In the perfect world, we would condition our dog to LOVE his crate and then an only then leave. Sadly, we don’t live in the perfect world and we have to work and leave our puppy often early on in the training.

​Just introducing a new puppy to his crate? 
A great way to work on crate training over a weekend is to rent some videos and stay close to home. Put your crate right in the middle of the room like it’s a recliner for your pup to join you in the fun. While the family is around enjoying the movies, the pup is right there with you in his own personal space. Now make it fun. Every few minutes, pop a piece of his food or better yet, a wonderful treat in the crate for him. You can also give him a chew or filled Kong.
 
Continue for the life of your dog to make the crate a positive place where good things happen. Even if you decide your dog has earned freedom of the house when you are gone, it’s a great idea to keep him acclimated to a crate by feeding one meal a day in the crate. This way if you do need to travel, board or crate your dog for any reason, it still is a fun place and part of is life. ​

​Puppy Socialization and Games.
In my Puppy Socialization package you will find I always try to be a matchmaker. We pair dogs together that have similar play styles so not only will this build your puppies confidence but will also give your pups a workout. During Free Play, puppies figure out what is and isn't acceptable behavior, discover how their bodies work, and learn ways to interact with other animals and the world around them. My puppy classes teach you good management while your puppy is learning appropriate behavior. Mental stimulation in my class results in some tired pups when you get home.   Here are some puppy interactive games to give your pup some mental stimulation which can help with problem behaviors like excessive chewing or barking.
 
Find the treat!
This is a great nose work game. You first want to place treats around the room out of the way but very easy to find. Now bring your dog through the house pointing out to him/her where the treats are. Do this a couple of times using the term find the treats. You can soon start hiding them under items that are still accessible. As your puppy starts to understand what it means to “find the teats” you can make it even harder hiding them under bowls or in crevices of his toys.
 
Name that toy!
When you are playing with a certain toy, name it. Anytime you pick up the toy keep saying the name of that toy to your dog. Throw the toy a little distance from the dog with the term go get “name of the toy”. When your pup gets the toy give him a treat. You will start to see your pup will associate the toy with the name and you can move to placing that specific toy with another to toy and asking to get “name of the toy”. Once you have mastered one toy name you can do another.
 

If you have been to my training room you will find the below poster hanging. This poster illustrates exactly what I try to communicate with people in my puppy socialization class. Enjoy and have fun socializing your pup.