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Ideal Dog Schedule
By: Dr. Debra Primovic
Daily Schedule
If you could give your dog the schedule he or she wants, what would
it be? What schedule would make a dog the happiest? In this article,
we will try to answer that by helping you understand the way dogs
like to eat, sleep, play and live!
Play - Dogs like to play! You can help your pet be its happiest both
mentally and physically by providing plenty of stimulation. This can
be in the form of toys, a companion to play with, or plenty of walks
and playtime with you. If you are really busy, this could use doggie
daycare or having a pet sitter stop by and give him a walk while you
are at work. If a dog has enough to do during the day, he will stay
awake when the sun is up and sleep at night when you do.
Read How Dogs Play.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-dogs-play/page1.aspx
Sleep - There are sleep requirement differences among the various
breeds, but generally dogs like to sleep approximately 16 to 18 hours
a day. Dogs sleep more than people but wake much more frequently.
How much and when they sleep depends on the level of activity in
their environment. A dog living as a pet in the home is likely to sleep
more than a dog that works for a living, such as a search and rescue
dog or a dog working on a farm. Some dogs will sleep more due to
of boredom.
Water - Dogs like to have free access to fresh clean water at all times.
Make sure your dogs bowl is fresh. Change the water daily and wash
out the bowl.
Food - Generally, dogs like to eat once or twice a day, although some
dogs will only eat well every other day. They appreciate the opportunity
to eat every day. Smaller breeds often like to be fed more often than
larger breed dogs. Young puppies need to be fed more frequently than
adult dogs. For more information on feeding puppies read Feeding Your
Pup.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/feeding-your-pup-for-the-first-few-days-home/page1.aspx
Opportunities to Eliminate – Adult dogs like opportunities to urinate
and defecate at least every 8 hours. It might be less for some dogs.
Although some dogs can hold their urine a long time, if they had their
choice, they would still like the opportunity to "go out" every 6 to 8
hours. Puppies need to be let out more often, especially if you are
trying to housebreak your puppy. For more information see House
training schedules.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/house-training-schedules/page1.aspx
General Comfort – Dogs like the comfort of a clean environment that
is neither too hot nor too cold. Most dogs are very happy indoors
although some outdoor dogs also have a great life. Dogs especially
enjoy the comfort of the indoors during extreme heat or cold
temperatures. If your dog is an outdoor dog, they should have access
to warm shelter in the winter and shade in the summer with constant
access to fresh clean water.
Time – Dogs love to be fussed over and to spend quality time with
their owners. This time makes them feel important and loved, just as
you we feel when a loved ones gives us undivided attention. This "time"
can be just sitting or watching TV. Many dogs love it if you also do
some petting or brushing!
An ideal schedule through the eyes of a dog might be:
7 am– 7:30 am
Wake up and go for a brisk walk with the opportunity to urinate
and defecate.
If you have 10 minutes for a little playtime, that would be great. Fetch
or something interactive is a welcome game.
Spend about 10 minutes of quality time just talking and petting your
dog. Notice anything unusual about his demeanor, attitude, hair coat,
look of his eyes etc.
7:30 am – 8:00 am
Time to eat; change the water to make sure the bowl is full and fresh.
Offer food if you feed your dog more than once a day.
8:00 am– 9:00 am
Dogs like to have the opportunity to go out again after they eat for the
opportunity to urinate and defecate.
9 am – 12 pm
Nap time!? Or time to follow you around as you do your housework. If
you are off to work – then naptime it will be.
12 pm – 1 pm
Ideally, most dogs would enjoy some interaction again with the
opportunity to go out, exercise or play.
1 pm – 5 –pm
Nap time again? Or another opportunity to observe you working!
5 pm – 7:30 pm
Drinks, dinner, and playtime. Again, change the water and offer dinner.
Monitor your dogs' appetite. Offer a longer and more extensive playtime
than this morning. Let him really play and burn off some of that pent-
up energy.
7:30 pm – 11 pm
Quiet family time. This may be a good opportunity to brush and
groom you dog, brush his teeth and spend some quality time, or even
jump on the couch and watch some TV.
Before bedtime
Most dogs appreciate another opportunity to go out and do their
"business" on last time.
Bedtime!
It is understood that most people have to work and may not have
the flexibility to offer all the frequent trips outside. If you work really
long hours, you might consider Doggie Daycare or having a pet walker,
or neighbor come and gives your pet some time, attention and exercise.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/ideal-dog-schedule/page1.aspx?utm_source=dogcrazynews001et&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - May 30, 2008