I’m pooped. Plum tuckered out. I had my normal amount of play yesterday and today and I slept my normal amount of sleep. Same ‘ole, same ‘ole, EXCEPT for one thing: daylight savings time ended. I know, we’re not supposed to let it affect us, but I think it got to me.
Here’s what Dr. Jon of PetPlace had to say about it:
Daylight Savings Time officially ended at 2 a.m. today. For most of us that means we get an extra hour of sleep and relaxation before starting the day. Did you know that pets can be affected by the time change?
Dogs don’t use watches, but they can tell when there is a change in their owner’s behavior.
Much of a dog’s behavior is linked to our schedules. Your dog might get up when you do, and learn to ask to go outside at a certain point in the morning routine. They might even learn other behaviors depending on yours. (One client of mine, a little Boston Terrier named Rez, has learned to go back to bed when she sees her owner picking up her purse to leave.)
Dogs thrive on schedules. When those schedules are disrupted it can cause changes in their behavior. An extra hour in bed for you might mean your dog wakes up at the same time needing to go to the bathroom or to eat breakfast. If you’re not careful it can seem like you woke up to a dog who has lost all their training. Learn about an ideal dog schedule.
Keep a close eye on your dog for any changes in their behavior after the time change. If they seem to be more anxious or are having more accidents than normal, try getting up an hour earlier and seeing if the behavior continues. Of course, you might get lucky and have a dog who will appreciate the extra hour of sleep.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
Thanks, Dr. Jon, for the insight. I think I’ll go back to bed now.
Wiggles & Woofs,
Charlie Bear
Thanks, CB. I noticed that yesterday Clyde was hungry before it was supper time! You’re so right. Good advice, as always.
Clyde and Julie,
Me too! I was super hungry more than an hour before the clock said I should be. Mom Peep is trying hard to get me to adjust. Maybe it will start working, or maybe she’ll just feed me more. A scruffy pup can hope!
Wiggles & woofs,
Charlie Bear
Whew! The cats and I are also having a rough time adjusting to this time change thing! We wondered why mom went back to bed after she got up to feed us and let me out Sunday morning. Then she left for church late (at least I thought she was leaving late!) We kept trying to get her to give us our supper at our usual stomach time but she said it was too early and we would have to adjust to the new time schedule because she would be later getting home in the evening. She did feed us about half an hour later so we could ‘adjust gradually.’ It was the same with our evening treats. We had to wait an extra half hour for them. Then to make matters worse, I couldn’t get her to go to bed when it was time!!! Didn’t she know she had to get up for work this morning?? And speaking of this morning, she wasn’t in the best mood when we woke her up for breakfast……but being the good mom she is, she got up and fed us. Guess this time thing is a big adjustment for her, too. She says we will all get used to it in the next few days. I trust her so I’ll hang in there for a while longer. Best wishes to you, buddy!
Your pal,
Jake
Jake,
I like the adjust gradually thing. Mom Peep didn’t do that for me. I don’t think she thought about it! Yup, we have to trust that these human peeps know what they’re doing. They do, don’t they?
Woofs & wiggles from me,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear, This is your new pal, Skippy. I’m tired. Mom’s tired. Dad’s tired. But the new furkid on the block ain’t tired! Z-o-o-m!
Skippy,
What’s with the new Zoom-Zoom fur-kid? Sooner or later he’s gonna get some kind of tired, right?
Woofs & wiggles to you,
Charlie Bear
HI Charlie Bear and BJ,
Oreo and Rowdy here again! We can relate to your being tired because we’ve been tired, too! Why do Peeps have to change the time anyway? We’ve been laying around all day long, but most of the day Mom did too. We usually sleep when she does and with her. But, we also usually get up before she does in the morning. I (Oreo) am the quiet dog around here and I am the biggest between me and Rowdy. Rowdy was the runt of the litter when we were born and I weigh about 10 lbs more than him. He is almost neurotic and he is on guard ALL the time. He usually sits on the back of a chair at our big picture window in the living room and barks at anything that moves. He gets on Mom’s nerves sometimes, but he also gets on MY nerves! I ignore him unless he just sounds insane and then I go help him bark but sometimes I realize he is barking at nothing, so I go back to Mom’s room and after awhile, he will calm down and lay in bed with us and we watch TV or just rest with Mom. I’ll be glad when we ALL get used to the time change! I hope you and your Peep Mom have a great week!
Woofs and Wiggles,
Oreo and Rowdy
Oreo and Rowdy,
I wish we didn’t change the time…it screws up my eating schedule in my tummy, and Mom Peep has to go around and change the clocks that aren’t digital. I hear you about the barking thing. I like to sit perched up on top of the sofa and look out the big picture window. If I see other dogs, I bark. If I see humans, I bark. If I see delivery trucks, I bark. Sometmes, I get quiet when I see these things, but not often.
Woofs back at ya,
Charlie Bear
Get some sleep, Charlie! You’ll feel better soon. I hope your peeps get some too.
Love,
Susan
Susan,
I slept like a virtual BABY last night. All the way into the morning past 6 a.m. It felt good. Thanks for the well wishes for Peeps too.
Wiggles & woofs,
Charlie Bear