Right, let's tackle one of those questions that doesn't have a straightforward answer: should your dog have a routine? As with most things in the dog world, the answer is firmly planted in "it depends" territory. But don't worry - we'll sort through it all together.
My Breakfast Revelation (And What It Taught Me About Routines)
I'm someone who needs routines to function properly. My brain works in a way that craves structure (self-diagnosed ADHD maybe?) but there's a twist: I'm also brilliant at breaking my own routines. Miss one day and the whole thing goes out the window faster than a tennis ball at the park.
Take breakfast, for instance. It took me years to establish the habit of actually eating breakfast every day. Now I've got it down to a fine art - same thing every morning because, frankly, I'm boring like that. My dad was the master of this. Kellogg's cornflakes (never the cheap stuff, mind you) and marmalade on toast for fifty years straight. We used to take the mickey but now I get it completely. That consistency keeps everything else on track.
But here's where it gets interesting with our dogs...
The Great Routine Divide
Some dogs absolutely thrive on routine and love knowing exactly what comes next and when. Others? They couldn't care less if breakfast is at 6am or 9am, as long as it eventually appears in their bowl.
My Rem is a proper routine enthusiast, though not in the way you might expect. He's not bothered about specific times, he's obsessed with the order of events. Whatever time I wake up, the sequence begins: bathroom, downstairs, breakfast, then his little morning walk. Try to skip that walk or change the order and he'll give you a look that says, "We're doing this wrong."
On the flip side, my other two dogs are the epitome of "go with the flow." They're perfectly content whether dinner happens at 5pm or 7pm, rolling with whatever life throws at them.
When Routines Work Brilliantly
If you've got an anxious or nervous dog, a solid routine can be an absolute godsend. Predictability reduces anxiety because your dog knows what's coming next. Life becomes a comfortable, familiar pattern rather than a series of surprises.
This is particularly brilliant if you're someone who naturally lives by routine anyway. If you're up at the same time every day, work regular hours and have a fairly predictable schedule, then slotting your dog into that framework often works seamlessly.
When Routines Become a Right Pain
But what happens when that lovely routine gets disrupted? Holidays, house moves, changes in work patterns or even something as simple as the clocks changing can send routine-dependent dogs into a bit of a tailspin.
I remember my mum's dog, Charlie. He was convinced that 3 o'clock meant walk time, every single day. When he'd stay with me and my chaotic schedule, he'd start getting increasingly agitated as 3 o'clock approached. "It's time, it's TIME!" he'd seem to say, completely baffled by my "we'll go when we go" approach.
The Shift Work Reality
Now, if you're someone whose life doesn't follow a set pattern - shift workers, I'm looking at you - then creating a rigid routine for your dog can actually cause more stress than it solves. Your dog ends up having to constantly adapt to different schedules, which some find unsettling.
My husband's done shift work for twenty years and honestly, it would be bonkers to try and maintain the same walking and feeding times when some days he's on nights and others he's home all day.
Finding Your Sweet Spot
The key is working out what suits your lifestyle and your individual dog's personality. Ask yourself: can I realistically maintain this routine forever? Because there's no point establishing something during those lovely first few weeks with a new puppy if it's going to fall apart the moment real life kicks in.
Some dogs need that structure to feel secure, while others are perfectly happy with a more relaxed approach. Neither is right or wrong. It's about finding what works for your family.
What Really Matters
Don't feel pressured to follow someone else's routine just because it works for them or because you read it in a book. Think about your own life, your dog's temperament and what you can realistically sustain long-term.
Whether you're a creature of habit like my dad with his cornflakes or more of a "see how the day unfolds" type, there's a way to make it work with your dog. The magic happens when you find that sweet spot where everyone's happy - and nobody's stood by the door at exactly 3 o'clock looking thoroughly put out!
Flexibility is often more valuable than rigidity. After all, life has a way of throwing curveballs and both you and your dog will be better off if you can roll with them together.
If this resonates with you and you’d like to chat further, you should check out the
Potter Paws Facebook Group. We’re a friendly group of dog owners sharing our experiences and advice on all things dog-related. We look forward to seeing you there!
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