Early wake-up calls, 4pm dinner demands and dogs waiting by the door for a walk: dog expert reveals why pets struggle to adjust to the clock change and how owners can help.
If your dog has been waking you up earlier than usual, demanding dinner before you’ve even thought about cooking or waiting by the door for their usual walk, the clocks going back could be to blame.
British Summer Time ended on Sunday 25 October, giving us an extra hour in bed but potentially leaving our four-legged friends wondering why their daily routine suddenly feels out of sync.
While we can glance at our phones and understand why breakfast, dinner and bedtime have shifted, dogs rely on their body clocks and familiar routines to anticipate what happens next. They may not understand why the clock says one thing when their stomach is telling them it is time to eat.
So, if your dog usually starts staring at you expectantly at 5pm for dinner, don’t be surprised if the begging begins at 4pm instead.
And it’s not just food. Walks, toilet breaks, bedtime and even the time their owners normally arrive home can all feel out of sync from a dog’s point of view.
The clock change also means darkness arrives earlier in the evening, potentially disrupting the routine of dogs accustomed to an after-work stroll.
Peamutt Butter ambassador and dog trainer from Make Fetch Happen, Janey Baker, says: “Owners needn’t panic if their pooch seems a little unsettled following the change, but there are some simple ways to help them adjust over the coming days.”
FIVE WAYS TO HELP YOUR DOG ADJUST AFTER THE CLOCK CHANGE
1. Don’t change everything overnight
For dogs that thrive on routine, shifting breakfast, dinner, walks and bedtime by a full hour can be noticeable. If your dog is still expecting the old schedule, try adjusting key parts of their day by 10 or 15 minutes at a time until they settle into the new timings.
2. Prepare for breakfast protests
Dogs don’t understand that the clocks have gone back. If yours normally eats at 7am, their stomach may still be expecting breakfast when the clock says six. Be prepared for pacing, staring, pawing or whatever technique your dog has perfected to remind you that they are apparently starving.
Try to keep mealtimes consistent with your intended routine rather than immediately giving in to early demands. Gradual adjustments can help your dog get used to the new schedule.
3. Don’t forget the walk
With the sun now setting earlier, your usual post-work walk may be taking place in darkness.
Where possible, make the most of daylight earlier in the day and take extra care with visibility when heading out after dark. Reflective accessories and lights can help make you and your dog easier for others to see.
4. Beat the 5pm boredom
Darker evenings can mean more time indoors, but that doesn’t have to mean less stimulation. Scent games, hide-and-seek, treat toys and lick mats can all help keep dogs occupied at home.
Janey, from Make Fetch Happen, recommends dog-safe Peamutt Butter as part of an enrichment routine. Spread on a lick mat or placed inside a suitable Kong-style toy, it can give dogs something enjoyable to focus on and help keep boredom at bay.
5. Resist the puppy-dog eyes, within reason
That pleading face at 4pm might be convincing, but immediately moving dinner an hour earlier could establish a new routine before you’re ready. Instead, gradually work towards your preferred mealtime and give your dog time to adjust. Most dogs can settle into the new schedule with consistency and patience.
Peamutt Butter is a dog-friendly peanut butter made by Manchester family food manufacturer F. Duerr & Sons. Designed specifically for dogs, it can be used as a treat or incorporated into enrichment activities and training.
Last month Peamutt Butter launched the first-ever Peamutt Butter Awards, kicking off a nationwide search for Britain’s best dogs – and the brilliant humans behind them. From heroic hounds and devoted owners to standout trainers, groomers and the nation’s nuttiest dog walks, there are five categories to enter. https://lnkd.in/eJxP4kst.
