A day in the life of your dog.
Your trusty companion is a big part of your daily routine, but have you ever wondered what a day looks like from your dog's perspective? Just what does your dog do all day, anyway?
Your Dog's Daily Schedule
Dogs are creatures of habit and thrive following a daily routine. Using what we know about how dogs interpret the world around them, we can get a glimpse of a day in the life of your pup.
5 a.m.: Rest Up for the Day Ahead
The house is still fast asleep, the light is just coming in through the windows and you notice the occasional whimper or scuffle coming from the foot of your bed.
Like you, your dog cycles in and out of rapid eye movement or REM sleep, a deeper sleep state where dreaming takes place. If your pup starts the day vocalizing or "running" in their sleep, they may just be dreaming about playing with you!
7 a.m.: Breakfast of Champions
You sleep in as long as you can, but your furry alarm clock is persistent. They follow you into the kitchen, tilting their head at every, "Good morning," and "Ready for breakfast?" before chowing down on today's bowl.
Dogs can be very active listeners: Those head tilts may look goofy, but they could be just trying to hear you (or the sound of morning kibble being poured) better past those big floppy ears!
Did you know your dog's favorite flavors are determined by taste buds? Just as humans evolved to crave salt, your dog's wolfy ancestors passed down their preference for meat.
9 a.m.: Settle in for a Day at Home
You say goodbye and head out, wondering what your pup gets up to while you're away all day. One thing is for sure, though - they'll be waiting at the window when you get home. How do they always know?
Your dog likely spends the day playing with their favorite toys and napping, eagerly awaiting your return. There's evidence to suggest that your dog's sense of time is actually an acute awareness of your scent! As your signature smell fades throughout the day, your dog may use it to estimate when you'll return home.
5 p.m.: Walk Around the Block
You're barely in the door before it's time for a pre-dinner walk. You grab the leash and head outside as your dog tries to take in all the excitement of the great outdoors.
Your dog relies less on vision than you; the anatomy of their eyes makes the world blurry and less colorful. However, their sensitive whiskers help them detect subtle changes in the environment - so they may be noticing even more than you.
9 p.m.: Wind Down with Bonding Time
Everyone's fed and the chores are done. What better way to end the day than with some couch cuddles together?
Why does your pup love belly rubs and laying their head or paw on you? Relaxing together and bonding through touch is a bigger deal for your dog than you might think. It helps them feel less anxious, more confident and more closely bonded with you.
While we will never know for sure what it's like to be a dog, we can learn a lot from what dogs do all day. Just as pets enhance the lives of their owners, a look at your dog's daily schedule leaves little doubt just how much your pet appreciates you - it's no coincidence dogs spend most of their time hanging near their owners or counting down the minutes until their return.
