When the house suddenly goes from summer-chaotic to school-quiet, many dogs struggle: pacing, whining, accidents, clinginess. A calm dog comes from a calm routine. Use this simple one-week plan to reset sleep, feeding, and enrichment so your pup eases into the new schedule—no drama, more zzz’s.

What you’ll need

• Consistent wake/meal times (AM/PM)

• A calm zone (crate or bed/place) + chew or lick mat

• 10–15 minutes/day for short training reps

• A few enrichment staples: stuffed Kong/Toppl, snuffle mat, long-lasting chew

• A sniff walk route (not a speed walk)

The 7-Day Reset

Day 1: Baseline & Wind-Down

• Set school-day wake/meal times today (even if it’s the weekend).

• Add a 10–15 min sniff walk before the family’s morning rush.

• Introduce a wind-down window 60 minutes before bedtime (lights low, no rough play).

• Pick a calm cue (“place” or “settle”) and reward 3–5 relaxed downs.

Day 2: Morning Handoff Routine

• 15 minutes before departures, no more high-energy play.

• Give a chew or lick mat in the calm zone while you move around the house.

• Practice 3 “fake exits”: keys → step outside 30–60 seconds → return neutral (no big greetings).

• Evening: short training burst (sit/down/place) + 10-minute decompression sniff.

Day 3: Alone-Time Reps (Tiny → Tolerable)

• Feed breakfast in a puzzle toy, then close a door for 2–3 minutes.

• Repeat 3–5 times, varying 1–5 minutes. If whining escalates, reduce duration and add an easier rep.

• Midday: nap protect—create a quiet hour (white noise helps). Rest is medicine.

Day 4: Sound & Movement Desensitization

• Pair school sounds with calm: backpacks, doors, scooters, bus brake whoosh.

• Do “look at that → treat” reps at a comfortable distance.

• Refresh place training: 2–3 minutes of relaxed down on a bed while family moves around.

Day 5: After-School Energy Dump (Brain > Miles)

• Right after school: sniff walk + 5-minute scatter/snuffle in the yard.

• Evening: 10 minutes of nosework (hide treats) or a simple find-it game.

• Keep arousal low: tug/wrestle before dinner, not after.

Day 6: Dress Rehearsal Day

• Run the full morning as if it’s a school day—timed breakfast, calm zone, enrichment, exit.

• Extend alone-time to 15–30 minutes in 2–3 reps; sprinkle easy wins.

• Check gear fit (collar/harness) and ID/microchip details.

Day 7: The Confidence Day

• Choose one: a half-day daycare trial or a longer home-alone rep (45–60 min with camera check-ins).

• Keep the evening low-key: gentle play, grooming touch-ups, early bed.

Daily Schedule Snapshot (copy/paste)

• 6:30–7:00 AM: Wake, potty, sniff walk

• 7:15 AM: Breakfast (puzzle feeder), calm zone

• 7:30–8:00 AM: Quiet departures (chew/lick mat)

• Midday: Protected nap (white noise), quick enrichment

• 3:30–5:00 PM: After-school sniff + brain game

• 6:00 PM: Dinner, short training reps

• 7:30–8:30 PM: Wind-down (no rough play), early bed

When to call a pro

If you see panic signs (escape attempts, nonstop barking, drooling puddles, destructive chewing) or no improvement after two weeks, schedule a free 30 minute training consult with PUPS Pet Club and talk to your vet to rule out medical contributors.

Next step: make the transition easy

Book a daycare trial day to ease the transition. Our teams at PUPS Pet Club build in rest, sniffy enrichment, and calm social time so your dog comes home tired-happy—not overstimulated.