What is the biggest mistake people make when transitioning a dog back to office days?

A dog that previously handled full workdays years ago has not retained that tolerance indefinitely if months have passed with someone almost always home, since alone time tolerance functions more like a practiced skill than a permanent trait.

Many owners also skip pre departure exercise and enrichment on the first few return to office days, assuming the dog's history of coping means none of that is needed anymore, right when the dog could actually use the extra support most.

Starting the rebuild 2 to 3 weeks before the actual return, using short practice absences even on days someone is technically home, avoids the shock of a sudden full day and gives the dog a real chance to relearn the routine before it matters.

Many households also underestimate how much their own daily rhythm has changed alongside the dog's, so the return to office affects morning routines, walk timing, and even how rushed departures feel, all of which the dog picks up on as part of the bigger adjustment, not just the hours alone. Treating the whole household routine as something to rebuild together, not only the specific hours the dog spends alone, tends to produce a smoother and more lasting transition for everyone involved, including the humans. A short trial run of the entire new morning routine a few days before the actual return often reveals friction points worth ironing out in advance.