As autumn is fast approaching, we are looking forward to Daylight Saving Time next month and gearing up to ease into feeding schedule changes with our little Habibi Bear guys and gals, the Original Teddy Bear dogs. Keep reading if you would like to find out more about why we stick to incremental changes if we need to change the routines of our Habibi Bear Puppies.
The Importance Of Routine For Dogs
If you have been receiving our weekly blog posts in your inbox, you know that our constant refrain is routine routine, routine when it comes to our pups and yours! The main reasons for maintaining a routine for dogs are to provide a sense of comfort and security, which in turn reduces their stress levels.
Can you imagine how stressful it is to be in a world where no one is speaking your language? Did you know that any change in the home environment can cause major episodes of distress in dogs, including changing our clocks. There are many times we receive messages from our Habibi Bear Tribe members trying to troubleshoot a lethargic or withdrawn pup only to find that the household has undergone a major transition: a lengthy business trip for Dad, remodeling the home, the loss of another pet, unexpected visitors or perhaps a child going away to college. These are all things that disrupt schedules, put people on edge and change the whole vibration of the household. Our Habibi Bear pups, tuned into the feeling of the home, doesn’t quite know what the dickens is going on, just that our body language is more rigid, our faces are conveying annoyance or grief, and we are (unknowingly and undetectable for humans) emitted stress hormones that only our pups can detect. They are concerned! The inability to communicate in a common language means that there is real difficulty transmitting the desired security and necessary continuity to our little Habibi Bear guys and gals, so we are forced to improvise and provide a routine instead to reassure them.
Why We Use Incremental Transition For Mealtimes
Having a set time for meals is just what the doctor ordered for keeping things mellow at your house. Knowing that breakfast and dinner will be delivered at a set time goes a long way in reassuring your Habibi Bear puppy that all is right in their world. It is the unknown and the strain of waiting that undermines a dog’s sense of well-being. When a seasonal time change is approaching, we at Habibi Bears manage the wait time and the stress and gently increase or decrease the time of the regular feeding according to the appropriate season (Beginning or Ending of Daylight Savings Time). This is done in ten to fifteen minute increments, the goal being to keep the mystery of “when” at a minimum. We repeat the process and adjust the time every other day until a full hour is synchronized with the “new” artificially imposed time and clock adjustment.
What Dog Distress Looks Like
Dog distress, seasonal or otherwise, is upsetting to witness. You may have a Habibi Bear guy or gal, normally a little social butterfly, charming, effervescent and flitting from activity to activity, who all of a sudden is withdrawn, curled up, or extra clingy. If your Habibi Bear baby is more calm in personality, they may be irritable, short-tempered or out of sorts. You can help reassure your distressed pup by working on your bond by hand-feeding, taking them on a sniff walk, and providing them with activities with a big pay-off: food puzzles that are kibble-filled are always a win!
When it is time to change the clocks, be patient with your pups, use our Transitional Feeding Schedule and provide them with some tender loving care and in a few days, your Habibi Bear pup should be back to the Super Pup Status that you know and love. If it lasts longer than two days, a quick call to the vet to rule out any serious conditions is recommended. And if you need help troubleshooting, drop us a line or DM us, we always love hearing from our Habibi Bear Tribe. Remember, we are always here for you, cheering you on!
