Around the US, school aged kids are getting back to the learning grind. In Arizona, year round schools are already back in session (yay for quieter shopping during the day!). For a lot of households, dogs and cats are having to get used to the kids being out of the house all day once more, which can sometimes be a difficult transition. So why not make it a fun, learning experience for our dogs? I personally don’t have children, but I’m using this time to get back to the basics. It’s back to school for dogs; let’s touch on training and tasks you can do with your dogs to signify a new school year. Pups need school supplies too, so enter to win three super fun school themed toys!
Back to School for Dogs
Training
It’s always a good time to touch on basic training with your dog. I’m talking really basic, like sit, stay and down. Not only is basic training good for your dog mentally, but it’s also great to improve your bond. Make sure you use lots of treats and positive reinforcement!
Routine
Dogs thrive on a schedule. If you’ve gotten out of a routine due to summer vacation, work on integrating back into one. Animals need routine just like people do. Check out why schedules are so important for our pets, and start getting your routine back into place.
Exercise
In Arizona, animals tend to gain weight because we cannot exercise outdoors as much. As the weather cools down and becomes more bearable, get outside and start working those bodies! I know I could use the extra exercise, and so could my dogs. I’m ready for temperatures to get back to normal so we can resume our outdoor activities. In the meantime, check out these great stimulating indoor activities for dogs.
Health
Back to school means a physical! If you haven’t taken your pet for an annual exam yet this year, now’s the time. Make sure they are up to date on all of their vaccines. You will also want to review their microchip and ID tag info to be sure it’s current.
Toys
Every dog needs new supplies to go back to school! Head to PetSmart and check out the super cute collection of back to school toys and clothes! And don’t worry – I have you covered! Enter to win a 3 pack of back to school toys below.
Giveaway
Enter to win some school supplies for your pup! I’m giving away a set of three (3) dog toys from the Back to School Collection at PetSmart! The toys are brand new! Two of the toys have squeakers, and the other one is a crinkle toy. The toys are a school bus, calculator and piece of A+ lined paper! For full giveaway disclosures, see here. *Open to US residents only!*
I think my dogs would like the little school bus toy the best – they like stuffies best.
I think that A+ test score is what she would like the best!
That school bus is adorable!
My dogs would love the neat little calculator!
I love the special holiday/occasion toys that
PetSmart has!
They are all super cute! 🙂 My dogs would probably love the A+ lined paper toy best.
My furson Nacho may enjoy the bus mostly
My furson Nacho may enjoy the bus toy mostly
My dog Max would like them all, but if I had to guess, I would go with the school bus toy since it’s the biggest one. I think he would have the most fun with that one.
my doggies would love the squeaky toys best! they are both very playful!
Mine would like the piece of A+ lined paper.
My dog always barks at the school bus so she would love that one the best! They are all very cute!!
My chihuahua would love A+ paper the best it looks like it makes a great crinkle sound and that’s her favorite
Bo would like the calculator.
My dogs love toys that squeak.. They would love the Blue Calculator…
These are so cute! It’s good to keep the pups busy when the kids go back to school, it can be a difficult time for pets when the kids are suddenly gone all day long.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
The school bus! Max would adore the squeakers in them 🙂
They would love the school bus!
I can’t get enough of that adorable calculator!