The end of the school summer holidays and the start of the autumn term sees the return to ’normality’ for many families, with routines and activities structured around the school day.

A family’s pets are affected, too. They will have become used to constant companionship, unlimited attention and extended playtimes.

Such things come to an abrupt end this week to be replaced with the early morning scramble to get to school and work, and long periods of solitude.

While cats and rabbits may be affected, this time of year can be particularly stressful for dogs.

Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and you will need to seek advice from your vet or a dog trainer if the problem persists.

There are some things you can do to help your dog cope, though, such as:

â?¢When departing and returning, do so without any fuss - stay calm and relaxed, and refrain from hugging and petting your dog.

By consistently doing this you will teach your dog that leaving and returning are perfectly normal routines and not something to get excited or anxious about.

â?¢Wake up earlier so that you can take your dog out on a long walk before he or she is left alone and consider making breakfast the main meal of the day.

Tired out and with a fully belly, your dog may then be happy to spend a few hours sleeping.

â?¢Leave some stimulating toys, such as Kongs, around the house and make sure your dog has something to chew on that isn’t your favourite slipper or chair-leg.

â?¢Switch on a radio or TV so that your dog can hear human voices and music.

â?¢When your children return from school, make it a specific routine that they spend time with their beloved pet as part of their unwinding time (rather than switching on a computer or turning on the TV).

â?¢And never scold your dog if he or she has had difficulty adjusting to their new routine, and has made a mess while you were out - just be patient.

As well as being back-to-school week, this is also the Kennel Club’s ’Puppy Awareness Week’, which aims to help puppy buyers find a responsible breeder so that they can buy a healthy, happy puppy.

The Kennel Club’s research reveals a shocking statistic, which is that almost one in three people who buy a puppy online find that the puppy dies or gets extremely sick in their first year.

Benny, the handsome tri-coloured jack russell, is just over a year old and he was gifted in to us because his previous owners were worried that he would not cope well with a new baby in the house.

He’s still only a baby himself and he’s learning what life is all about.

His new owners will need to continue with his education and ensure that he respects his boundaries and understands right from wrong.

He wants to please, and he especially wants to play, and he is loving and responsive. He would be great with older children and he likes other dogs, although he can become a bit overexcited when he meets them. He’s not used to being on his own and so he may need help with separation anxiety if his new owners plan to leave him for more than an hour or two.

Benny is a really special little dog, and young enough to adapt easily to a new family and domestic situation. He’s just been neutered, he’s fully up-to-date with vaccinations and worming, and he comes with the ongoing post-adoption support of the Kennels team.