Regardless if Meg Ryan’s words in You’ve Got Mail about “a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils” mean anything to you, fall means going back to school. You and your family might already be used to the whole grab-breakfast, get-out-the-door morning rush, but your pup could still be having trouble catching on.
As much as our dogs love doing the same thing every day, a return to fall schedules, specifically a large change like going back to school, can be overwhelming for our pets. “When life shifts into overdrive as fall ramps up our pets might withdraw, or at the opposite end of the spectrum, might resort to destructive behaviors they haven’t done in a while, like raiding the garbage can,” says Victoria Schadeopens in a new tab, a dog trainer and contributor at Covetrus Great Pet Careopens in a new tab, tells us. “Change can be stressful for pets, so we need to consider how back-to-school season impacts them as well, and take steps to make it less upsetting.”
To help you and your pet cope with the busy season, we compiled a “back-to-school” list to help ease your dog into those cozy fall mornings.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
Your dog might not actually be headed back to the classroom right now, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t benefit from some homework. Per Schade: “Your dog has physical and mental needs that have to be addressed, especially during transitional periods that can be stressful.”
That’s where this school-themed sniff work toy by Lambwolf Collective comes in. Hiding treats in the folds and pockets of this toy challenges your dog’s brain, keeping them engaged and focused.
Clearly, we can’t say enough good things about puzzle toys. But this toy is truly a cut above. Nina Ottosson, whose puzzles are recommended by many trainers and dog psychologists, knows the importance of keeping your pup’s brain engaged.
All experts agree that sporting Gilmore Girls vibes will help your dog adjust into their new fall routines. Just as long as you both remember to say, “Why did you drop out of Yale?” with that exact inflection.
Another great way to keep your dog busy and enriched this fall, this snuffle mat is a fun reminder of the classic back-to-school lunch we’re all still nostalgic for.
Here’s an endorsement opens in a new tabof snuffle mats from veterinary behaviorist Dr. Valli Parthasarathy: “Snuffle mats are a great way to provide enrichment and entertainment by helping dogs use their amazing sense of smell to find the hidden food. Sniff-based mental stimulation can help promote overall relaxation in dogs, as well.”
And let’s not forget the perfect companion to that PB&J. Just make sure you’re supervising your dog opens in a new tabwhen they are playing with toys, especially those they can easily rip apart, like this adorable one.
If you’re looking for an enrichment “homework” toy that doesn’t use treats, this tumble toy by Wild One is the answer. Instead of food, the prize in this toy is the tennis ball, which is great for pups looking to save all their treats for Halloween.
If your pup needs help relaxing as you and your fam get back into your busy routines, lick mats are the perfect solution. Licking is a natural, relaxing behavior for your dog, so these mats work to mentally stimulate and calm your pup.
Trainer and Collective member opens in a new tab Nicole Ellis told usopens in a new tab about the benefits of toys like this and recommends giving a lick mat to your dog before you leave for the house: “Make the pre-work mornings about mental enrichment. You’ve probably heard dog trainers talk about the benefits of keeping your dog’s brain engaged. Mental stimulation helps a dog decompress and burn off excess energy. By the time you leave for the office, your dog will be ready for a good, long nap.”
Prepare your pup for a smooth transition back to your busy fall schedule with this pheromone spray. Designed to calm your dog by mimicking the pheromonesopens in a new tab of their mother, this spray can help with bigger issues around returning to your routine.
In addition, Ellis recommended opens in a new tabkeeping your morning routine as calm as possible to head off any separation anxiety: “Pick up your keys and walk around the house. Put your coat on and then sit on the sofa. Grab your backpack and go back to the kitchen.”
Even as we return to our busy schedules, the best thing we can do to help our pups handle the chaos is to make dedicated time just for them.
“It’s not easy to carve out extra time to make sure your pets’ needs are being met, but doing so helps to smooth out the bumps of a busy new season,” Schade says. “You might have to get up even earlier to make sure your best friend gets a full walk in before the day begins, or you might have to rally for an intense game of fetch at the end of the day.”
This fun, interactive treat ball is the perfect way to level up your fetch game — and makes for a fun after-school activity for the whole family.
Everyone feels better returning to school with a back-to-school buddy. Your pup needs a pal to make them feel less alone when everyone else is out making friends at recess. This toy, which uses a heat pack and a heartbeat simulator to appear as a real snuggly companion to your pup, is perfect for helping your dog feel less alone when you’re out of the house.
This two-in-one chew toy and treat dispenser is perfect for keeping your pup as busy as you are this fall.
“Treat-stuffable busy toys are a great way to keep dogs happily occupied when the family is away from home,” Schade says. “The trick is filling the toy so that the dog has to work hard to get the goodies out, but not to make it so tough that it becomes frustrating and your dog abandons the toy.”
Once you’re all back for the day, it’s time to get out the toys you can play with together. If you’re looking for a healthy after-school snack for your pup, look no further than this pizza rolls toy by Bark. It’s all the fun of frozen pizza rolls with none of the emergency-vet opens in a new tabvisits that the real snack might cause.
Your dog feels most comfortable when they have a space to call their own. To prepare your dog for the business of fall, make sure they are set up with a crate or a bed that they know they can always return to when things get chaotic. We like this one because its donut shape works to cradle your dog, keeping them comfy and supported.
Rebecca Caplan is a writer based in Brooklyn whose work has been featured in The New Yorker, Reductress, and Vulture. She lives in Brooklyn with her perfect, toothless dog Moose.
