Structure Vs Routine
Why most people start with routine
Building a routine is the go-to move for loads of people when they bring a puppy or new dog home. Makes sense, right? The dog learns the pattern, knows the drill, and life feels nice and predictable.
And routine isn’t bad in itself — for some dogs and some situations it can be really useful.
Some dogs do thrive on routine because they need that predictability. But for me, I’d rather give Sam structure and that’s what I suggest to most clients.
Routine vs structure
So what’s the difference?
Routine = same thing, same time, same order. Dogs are brilliant at spotting patterns and anticipating what’s coming next (cheers, classical conditioning). The problem is, what happens when that routine has to change? Holidays, kids, house moves, job changes — life isn’t fixed, so if your dog relies on strict timings and patterns, that’s going to cause issues.
Structure = certain things will happen, but not always in the same order or at the same time. Yes, you’ll get a walk — but maybe it’s first thing, maybe it’s three hours later. Yes, you’ll get dinner — but not bang on 5pm every night. The dog learns how life works without clinging to a clock or to things happening in the same order.
That subtle difference matters. Structure gives the dog expectations without tying them to exact timings or patterns.
The problem with anticipation
Routines can also create anticipation. Your dog starts waiting for the thing they know should be coming — and when it doesn’t happen, that can cause frustration or anxiety.
Accidental routines (you’ll have them too)
Even if you avoid it, little routines creep in. It’s enevitable.
For example, I always check the back door before leaving the house. Sam has clocked that nine times out of ten it means she’s coming with me — so even if she’s not, she still makes a beeline for the front door.
At night she often takes herself off up to bed around 10–10:30pm because that’s usually when I go up. Even if I’m still sat on the sofa staying up a little later she’ll still head up. I’ve never told her to do that, she just picked up on the most frequent pattern of my behaviour.
There’s nothing wrong with these habits. But her general day to day life, walks and her meals aren’t at set times or specific patterns of predictability, and honestly, she’d be a nightmare if she lived by a rigid routine.
The nuance (some dogs do need routine)
Here’s the nuance. Some nervous or insecure dogs do benefit from routine, at least at first. Predictability helps them feel safe.
It’s not just nervous dogs either. Seniors often find comfort in routine, dogs with medical needs (like timed medication or sensitive digestion) rely on it, and even some high-drive youngsters or working dogs can need a bit more routine until they’ve built the skills to cope with change.
And that’s fine.
But it shouldn’t be an excuse to wrap them in cotton wool forever. The bigger goal is still to build their confidence so they can cope when life inevitably changes.
Takeaway
So ask yourself — are you building a strict routine that might bite you in the arse later, or giving your dog the structure they need to stay calm and adaptable?
The two will always cross over a bit, and that’s fine. The aim isn’t perfection. The aim is a dog that’s relaxed, confident, and able to roll with real life — not one that falls apart when the routine wobbles.