Back-to-school season means new routines for kids — and, as it turns out, plenty of stress for the pets left behind. That's exactly the story WDTN, Dayton's NBC affiliate, wanted to tell its Miami Valley viewers this month. And when they needed someone to explain it, they went to a Pet Wants franchise owner.
Gene Grant walked WDTN's audience through what separation anxiety looks like in dogs adjusting to an empty house — loss of appetite, panting, excessive barking or howling — and what pet parents can do about it. His advice centered on one core idea: protect the routine. Feeding times, exercise, sleeping arrangements, treats — none of it should shift just because the kids are back in class. He also recommended puzzle toys and background noise (music or TV) to ease the loneliness of a quiet house during the day.
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“Consistency is extremely important,” Gene said, pointing to feeding schedules, exercise routines, and where dogs sleep as things that shouldn't change. His larger point: staying ahead of the disruption is easier — for the pet and the owner — than trying to fix anxiety after it sets in.
This is a small, local segment. But it's also a preview of something bigger: what it looks like to own a business a community already treats as the trusted voice on pet health. Local newsrooms don't call just anyone when they need expert commentary — they call people whose businesses are built around real nutrition and wellness knowledge, not just retail.
For a prospective franchisee evaluating Pet Wants, that's worth noticing. This wasn't paid placement. It's the kind of earned visibility that comes from owning a brand positioned as the neighborhood pet nutrition expert — the same positioning that shows up in Pet Wants segments and features across other markets.