From Chaos to Calm - making time for our dogs in a busy world!

Today's world is just so busy! I barely get a chance to sit down sometimes, and when I do I'm exhausted! So how do we fit in time for our dogs?

Popi - Our time together was too short, but you’ll always be with me—pawprints on my heart forever.

We often take for granted that they will just fit into our schedules, and we easily prioritise everyone else while our dog’s needs slip down the list. This isn’t a guilt trip! It’s just a friendly reminder that they need time with you too. And more importantly, you deserve that time with them.

Dogs are only with us for a short while, and when we look back, we don’t want to wish we had spent more time enjoying them. It’s easy to think that curling up on the sofa together while watching TV is enough, but let’s take a moment to really think about it.

Imagine a typical day for a couple working full-time.

The alarm goes off at 6am. The dog gets a quick toilet break, maybe a short walk if there’s time, then breakfast before you rush to get ready and leave them set up for the day.

You check the camera at work, they're having a snooze - great stuff! At lunch, you pop home for half hour, they get a speedy walk or a romp in the garden, grab a quick sandwich and then head back to work.

At 5:30pm, you’re home. The dog is excited to see you, but you’re busy sorting dinner, catching up on the day, and unwinding. Maybe they get another short walk before settling down for the evening.

By 10:30pm, they’re tucked into bed, and the cycle repeats.

You may work from home on a similar schedule, with a few toilet breaks for the dogs in between. But, you're working so whilst you are home, you aren't really 'available.'

Can't work now mum!

How much time of your day was spent actively interacting with them in that time?

Would you cope with that level of interaction? Or would you want more?

Dogs are social creatures, just like us. They do an incredible job of fitting into our lives and try their best, but when we’re finally available, we become a novelty, and they crave our attention. If we’re too busy, they’ll find ways to get it.

And that’s where “naughty” behaviours come in!

Stealing a cushion, grabbing tissues, peeing on a plant… what do you do? You react. And for them, any attention is good attention!

This will get their attention!

While professionals encourage creating calm activities to reward independence, it’s just as important to build structured interaction into their day -time where you actively engage with them. Set reminders in your phone if you need to, and don't snooze them!

They are masters at finding out what works. Look at how they use their eyes to get our attention.

Fun and Easy Interactive Activities you can do that have MAXIMUM benefit, and don't take much time.

If you’re wondering how to fit in more meaningful time with your dog when you are really short on time here are some easy things to do which will help reduce unwanted behaviours whilst creating that all important quality interaction with your daxies.

• Find It!  Hide treats or toys around the house and encourage your dog to sniff them out. This taps into their natural scenting instincts and provides mental stimulation. Go around with them and get involved in the game!

  

  Attention everyone! I found it!

• Interactive Tug. A controlled game of tug can help build impulse control. Teach a “take it” and “drop it” cue to reinforce structured play. Here's some of my favourite toys: https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/partner?ref=PERFECTLY

Smiles all around

• Hand Targeting. Teach your dog to touch your hand with their nose. This simple trick can redirect focus and build engagement and build confidence with hands! You could introduce post it notes and then teach them to close doors!

• Mat Training, Encourage your dog to settle on a mat with rewards. This reinforces calm behaviour and provides a safe space for relaxation.

• Slow Sniffari walks. Instead of a fast-paced walk, allow them to explore at their own pace, sniffing and investigating their environment. Sniffing is naturally calming and helps reduce reactivity. Interact with them when they find a smell.

• Interactive walks. Take a toy and play with them on a walk. Not fetch, but tug, find it, using toys as a reward for training and engagement on walks is a great way to build on your relationships. The rabbit skin chaser toys are awesome for walks: https://tug-e-nuff.com/products/rabbit-skin-squeaky-bungee-chaser?ref=PERFECTLY

• Massage & Touch Desensitisation – Gentle stroking or massage can help dogs relax and become more comfortable with handling.

• Training Games. Short, fun training sessions (like teaching tricks) build engagement and reinforce positive interactions.

I'm down....in the grass mum!

Dachshunds, crave our company, and when something is in short supply, it becomes even more valuable.

Think back to lockdown—remember how toilet rolls and baked beans suddenly became the most important things in the world?

Your time is that valuable to them.

So let’s make sure they get it!

Here's a post and video I did on the subject a while ago:https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Xr6ub4tYe/

As always, huge thanks to my Barking Course Graduates for yet again sharing their awesome pictures, there were far too many to feature, but they are all in the video above. The pictures shared are subject to copyright and remain their property.

Copyright (C) 2025 Perfectly Polite Dachshunds.