Why Do Dogs Need a Routine? Reasons & How To Make One

Have you ever wondered what your dog does all day? You know the answer if you work from home. But if you commute to work, you can’t help but imagine what your four-legged friend is up to while you’re away.

It is hard to say unless you have a pet camera. But establishing a routine can minimize the risk of something bad happening. Best of all, you won't worry if your dog is destroying the house (at least not as much).

But how do you start your dog on a routine? And what should your dog be doing? We’re here to answer these questions. We’ll even give you tips on squeezing in your dog's routine within your own schedule.

The 4 Reasons Giving Your Dog a Routine Matters

Your dog's daily routine can help you and your pet in many ways. But the biggest reason daily dog routines are recommended? Because they work. Here’s why:

1. Prevents Behavioral Issues

Dogs don’t have much control over their lives. A routine gives them something to look forward to and a sense of expectancy. When your dog knows what to expect, your dog is less likely to engage in destructive behavior.

2. Provides Training Practice

Training your dog takes time and consistency. What better practice than incorporating it into your dog's daily schedule? Your dog will have an opportunity every day to learn commands, skills, and earn rewards. Before you know it, your dog will be ready for level two training.

3. Prevents Healthcare Mishaps

If your dog has a medical need, a daily routine will help you stay on top of medications, exercise, prevent potty accidents, and much more. This is especially helpful with puppies and senior dogs.

4. Gives You Sanity

Routines provide predictability even on the most unpredictable days. Your dog’s daily habits can ensure that what needs to be done gets done.

What Should My Dog’s Routine Look Like?

Your dog’s routine should be based on your own schedule and your dog’s age and activity level.

How much time you can dedicate to your dog’s routine depends on your free time and energy. For instance, if you are on your feet for 12 hours per day, the last thing you will want to do is walk your dog when you get home. Instead, you could delegate this task by hiring a dog walker. That way, your dog gets socialization and exercise. The best part? You have more energy to spend time with your pup.

You’ll want to schedule regular walks, play sessions, and potty breaks if your dog is a puppy. Older dogs probably won’t need as much attention with exercise but may require more potty breaks and medication. So, be realistic and flexible about what you and your dog can accomplish daily.

Here’s an example of what your dog’s routine could look like:

You’ll have to rearrange this mock schedule to suit your schedule. However you decide to structure your dog’s routine, be sure to establish clear expectations of what needs to be accomplished. Remember to keep it simple. Don’t stress yourself out.

The 5 Best Apps for Managing Your Dog’s Routine

There is no need to run around like a headless chicken trying to manage everyone else’s routine and neglecting your own. Here are five of our favorite pet apps that make pet care more manageable:

1. 11Pets

This app is your saving grace if you juggle a full-time job, children, household work, and pets. The app’s entire focus is on families with multiple pets. You can assign tasks, share information, and receive guidance from experts. 11Pets will send you reminders when a task needs to be completed, ensuring you never miss a task again.

Unfortunately, you can use this app with other animals like guinea pigs and horses. But if you have multiple dogs and cats, we recommend checking out this app.

2. Dogo

If you’re having difficulty with training, Dogo can help. Dogo is a clicker-training app offering affordable one-on-one training. Dogo offers training videos with free articles and photos to aid. You can also take tests to ensure that you know your stuff. You’ll receive notifications when it’s time to train, and you can keep track of your dog’s progress.

You can add multiple pets to your account, and they don’t offer training for service dogs. But it’s a great option for basic training.

3. YepiPet

YepiPet is a task management tool that helps you keep track of vaccines, potty breaks, and feeding times. You can create an account for as many pets as you like and receive notifications when the time comes to complete a task. This is another great option for multi-pet households because you can view all pets on one screen.

What we like the most is the Pet Pantry. This feature helps you keep track of certain pet products and will notify you if that product is on sale. You can even set dates for perishable items to get the most out of your dollar! And, if you find an Amazon product you want to buy, you can purchase it directly through the app.

You can only use this app for cats and dogs, and the categories for organizing tasks can be confusing. But notifications sent to your phone regarding your dog’s routine are a surefire way to stay on top of tasks.

4. Whistle

Whistle is a nice option if your dog’s routine needs to reflect fitness. This app is a GPS and fitness tracker, allowing you to watch your pet's location, weight, hydration, and sleep patterns. The app can even detect abnormal behavior from a deep medical concern, like excessive licking and itching.

The app should not replace a veterinarian’s advice but is a handy tool for dog owners who need to monitor their pet’s health closely. That can be time-consuming. Thankfully, Whistle sends alerts to your phone when your dog leaves a designated area and will send you weekly wellness updates.

The GPS tracker can be glitchy, so it is best not to rely on it. But the wellness updates are handy.

5. Rover

* Use code Hepper20 to receive $20 off your first booking!

If you can’t manage your dog’s exercise routine, try finding a dog walker on Rover. This app connects you with your area's independent pet sitters and dog walkers. It’s easy to use and, generally, more affordable than booking with a privately-owned pet sitting service.

All pet sitters and walkers must pass a background check and are insured should something go awry. You have to do a meet ‘n’ greet first, so it’s not something you can schedule last minute. Booking can also be confusing if you have more than one pet. But Rover offers GPS tracking, secure payments, and 24/7 support should you have any questions or concerns.

Wrapping It Up

Being a pet owner is stressful. Dogs can be unpredictable, and keeping up with their needs is challenging. How can you possibly keep up with your dog’s needs? You’re already organizing enough in your life.

The answer is a routine. No longer will your dog wonder when it will go potty, eat dinner, or go on a walk. You can minimize stress and uncertainty and keep your dog’s behavior in check.

And if you don’t follow your dog’s routine exactly how you scheduled it? It is okay. Start fresh tomorrow. You already knew your dog’s priorities and took care of them- because your dog had a routine.

Related Reads:

• How To Teach a Dog To Walk on a Leash in 5 Simple Steps

• Why Does My Dog Lick the Furniture? 9 Reasons & Expert Tips

Featured Image Credit: MF_Orleans, Shutterstock