Dog daily routine builder

What should a dog's daily routine look like?

Strip it back and every good dog day has the same building blocks:

• Potty breaks. Adult dogs can hold their urine for 8 hours or more, but Penn Vet recommends a chance to go out about every four hours when possible.
• Meals. AKC says most dogs only need two meals a day. Same times each day makes the rest of the routine easier to plan.
• Exercise. The PDSA says most dogs need at least one or two walks a day, and some breeds need an hour or two of exercise or a lot more. The dog exercise calculator gives a range for your breed and age.
• Training and brain work. The PDSA calls training an essential part of every dog's daily routine, for both the mind and the bond between you. Five or ten minutes fits into any day.
• Rest, and some time alone. Adult dogs sleep a large part of the day. Short, calm spells alone, even on days at home, make workdays easier.

The builder arranges those blocks around your day, adds visits when you're out for longer than four hours, and spaces potty breaks so none of the gaps run long. For a fuller version with a sample morning, afternoon and evening, our free ebook The Ideal Dog Routine is available through the sign-up box on this page.

Sample dog routine for a workday

An adult dog whose owner is up at 6:30 am, out from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and in bed by 10:30 pm, with an hour of exercise a day, gets 3 walks, 2 meals and 2 visits while the house is empty (9 h away):

How do I fit my dog's routine around work?

The RSPCA advises leaving dogs alone for no more than four hours at a time, so they can exercise, go potty and have company. A normal office day plus commute is nine hours or more, which means at least two visits. A dog walker, a neighbor, family or daycare can cover them; the dog alone time calculator works out the times for puppies and seniors too.

The RSPCA's routine for the hour before you leave is worth copying:

1. A walk or play session, finishing about half an hour before you go.
2. A potty break and a small meal.
3. A stuffed food toy, treat ball or chew that only comes out when you leave.
4. A brief, calm goodbye.

When you get home, take your dog out first, then say hello properly. The evening is the best time for the longest walk and a training game.

Should I walk my dog before or after eating?

For most dogs, a meal soon after the morning walk works well, and the RSPCA suggests a small meal shortly before you leave. The exception is bloat, or gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening emergency where the stomach swells and twists. The PDSA says it is most common in giant and deep-chested breeds such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Dobermanns, mostly in middle-aged and older dogs, and advises:

No exercise for 1 hour before and 1 hour after a meal

Switch on "Large, deep-chested breed" in the builder and it keeps that hour clear on both sides of every meal. The PDSA also suggests several smaller meals instead of one big one for these dogs, and a slow feeder for fast eaters. Retching without bringing anything up, a swollen belly, restless panting and pacing, drooling or pale gums are signs of GDV: call your vet immediately.

Adjusting the routine for an older dog

The PDSA's advice for senior dogs is little and often: joints stiffen when they aren't used, so several short, gentle walks beat one long one. Choosing "Senior" in the builder splits the exercise more evenly across the day and sets potty breaks every three hours, because older dogs often need to go more often. Older dogs also cope less well with heat and cold, so walk in the cooler parts of hot days, and check with your vet that the amount of exercise suits your dog's health.