Summer schedules including holidays, school breaks, and changed work patterns can increase the time dogs spend alone, creating welfare risks for dogs prone to separation distress.
Summer presents a particular convergence of welfare risks for dogs: people's schedules change, children are home then suddenly away again, holiday travel disrupts routines, and warm temperatures add heat stress to any separation distress. Dogs with underlying separation anxiety may see their condition worsen significantly when routine disruption coincides with extended alone periods. The responsible summer dog owner plans ahead: arranging doggy daycare or dog walkers before long alone periods become routine, maintaining consistent exercise schedules despite changing human schedules, and never leaving dogs in hot vehicles. The video monitoring approach - checking what dogs actually do when alone rather than assuming they are fine - is one of the most welfare-positive investments a dog owner can make.