Back-to-School Dog Routines: Helping Your Pup Adjust This Fall

Every year, as the backpacks get zipped up and the school buses start rolling, I notice a little shift in our dogs too. 🐾

Summer is full of long days at home, extra playtime, and plenty of walks. But when fall rolls in, routines change—not just for us, but for our pups too.

I thought I’d share our personal back-to-school dog routine here at Walkin’ Paws—because maybe it’ll give you some ideas for making your own pup’s transition a little easier (and a lot more fun).

🌅 Morning Routine

Our mornings are busy, but we always make sure the dogs start their day with something positive. A quick walk or backyard play session helps them burn energy and sets a calm tone before we leave. Breakfast is served in a slow feeder bowl or a Kong filled with frozen pumpkin + kibble (perfect for fall flavors!). These little tweaks help keep their minds busy while we’re heading out.

👉 Shop our favorite slow feeder bowls here
👉 Check out this Kong we love

⏰ Midday Check-In

Not everyone can come home at lunch, but if you can, a quick potty break or a short walk goes a long way. For longer days, we leave a few treat-dispensing toys around the house—something simple that gives the dogs a challenge and keeps boredom at bay.

One of our favorites? The Snuffle Mat—it’s like a puzzle + treasure hunt in one.

🌙 After-School & Evening

This is my favorite part of the day—when the house fills back up with energy. The kids love greeting the dogs, and we use that excitement to squeeze in an extra walk or playtime. Even just 15 minutes of fetch or tug-of-war helps reset their mood.

Dinner usually happens while the kids do homework (keeps everyone focused in their own way 😅). And before bed, we always take one last calm stroll—it helps the dogs settle, and honestly, it helps us too.

🐕 Extra Tips for a Smooth Transition:

• Stick to consistent meal/walk times → Dogs thrive on predictability.

• Use enrichment → Frozen Kongs, puzzle feeders, and chews = sanity savers.

• Ease separation anxiety → Try leaving for short “practice trips” before the full routine kicks in.

• Give them a job → A special “back-to-school chew” or toy they only get when you leave makes departures easier.

At the end of the day, dogs don’t need a perfect routine—they just need to know they’re still loved and cared for in the middle of all the hustle. 💛