As the temperatures and leaves begin to drop, it’s a sure sign to pet parents that we need to get our dogs ready for fall. Be prepared for the season with these timely tips.
This has to be my favorite time of the year. Leaves are changing colors, the humidity has vanished and, of course, Pumpkin Spice drinks and treats are out in full force! But for many pet parents, autumn is the time of year when you battening down the hatches for the onslaught of dog hair – gotta love coat blowouts! As well, fall’s arrival comes with a slew of household routine changes.
Here are my tips on how to adjust and settle into sweater season without a hitch:
Prepare for Shedding
My dog is part German Shepherd, and unfortunately she won’t let me vacuum her. This time of year I begin stockpiling lint rollers and dog brushes. My favorite is the Furminator brush. You can fill a pillowcase with fur when you’re done. It’s the only brush I have found worthy of keeping the hair at bay. I also give my dog an omega-3 supplement to help keep her coat soft and healthy.
Related:Top 5 Reasons To Go For An Autumn Hike With Your Dog
Prepare for the Temperature Change
It’s going to get cold out and eventually, the snow will fall (I know, you don’t want to hear it), and it can be harder to get your dog the exercise he needs. Try to maintain a regular schedule, and if it’s cold, go for a few short walks throughout the day instead of one long trek. If your dog hates the cold consider grabbing him a jacket. If he refuses to go outside for anything longer than a bathroom break, look into day camps and playgroups to burn off that extra energy. Insufficient exercise can lead to destructive behavior in the house.
Prepare for Back to School
School is back in session and in many households dogs have lost their daytime companion. As a dog walker, I’ve had an increase in business as soon as the kids went back. Your pooch’s exercise needs may get forgotten in the shuffle, and this is hard to take when he’s been playing all day and burn off some steam for the past three month. Any change in habit will be stressful on your – sometimes it only takes rearranging the living room furniture to send a dog into a tailspin.
Related:Back-To-School Dog Tips From A Trainer
Tick Talk
Did you know that fall can be the height of tick season in certain areas? If you’re planning on taking a lovely fall hike with your pooch, be sure to check yourself and your dog for ticks, during and after your walk in the brush. If you find one, take it off and put it out of its misery right away. At the first sign of any tick-borne illness, take your dog to the vet. As well, keep on top of any topical tick medication and annual Lyme disease vaccination your vet has prescribed.
For the next few months we will be picking errant dog hairs from our pumpkin lattes and pulling out the boots and sweaters. But by keeping a plan in place, we can keep Fido happy and balanced during the fall months.
Rachel Leavy lives in Rochester, New York with her dog, Maria, and her gecko, Nigel. She has loved animals all her life, and has owned her own dog training and walking company for five years. When she’s not playing with puppies, she can usually be found writing short stories, riding horses or out at a play.
