Every dog lover wants their dog to live a healthy and happy life. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, you might get stuck in a routine while thinking you are doing the right things to make your dog happy. Just like you, your dog may get bored, especially if they are eating the same food and playing with the same toys every day. There are various new ways you can spice up your dog’s life. Here are the top 5 Things you can do to make your dog happier
1. Provide him with the Right food
Your dog’s food is the first and most important step to ensuring that he is happy. A healthy dog is a happy dog! Everything that you feed your dog affects his weight, teeth, fur and even his mood. In addition, take note of your dog’s breed when preparing its food. If it is a pit bull, only get the best dog food for pit bulls. It is important that you feed your dog with nutritious, well-balanced food that is easily digestible. Feel like doing your own market research? We recommend you joining a breed specific group on Yahoo, Facebook or Meetup.com. If you opt to go for commercial dog food, make sure that you get a brand with minimal additives and preservatives, like raw dog food from Nutriment.co.uk.
If you opt for home-made food, try as much as possible to avoid certain “human” treats as they may have adverse effects on your dog’s health. A raw dog food diet is highly nutritious and suitable for most dogs. If you opt to go for commercial dog food, make sure that you get a brand with minimal additives and preservatives. It should also be very transparent about their ingredients.
2. Keep your dog on his feet
Just like nutrition, exercise is a significant part of your dog’s life. Daily walks are a great way of ensuring your dog is happy and healthy, physically and mentally. Dedicate at least 30 minutes of your day to taking your dog out for a walk. These walks offer a great opportunity for them to experience new things, meet new people and they will also burn off some of the built up energy from being cooped up in the house an entire day.
3. Teach him new tricks
Regardless of age, dogs are fantastic learners. Training your dog and teaching him new tricks is an excellent way to spend time with your dog. These activities enable you to create an even stronger bond. Different dog breeds enjoy different games. Some dog breeds love mind games such as puzzles while others prefer learning simple tricks and commands. Make sure that you engage your dog in new and varied games by teaching him new tricks to keep his mind agile and alert.
Always use positive reinforcement when teaching your dog new tricks to make it more like a game. These activities are critical to their happiness and health as they help them receive mental stimulations.
4. Provide him with self-entertainment options
Most dog owners end up providing their dog with extra treats when they feel guilty for not spending time with them. However, this is not a great plan. Instead, you can come up with new exciting ways to keep your dog busy during the day when you are not around. For instance, the use of a treat puzzle is an excellent way to ensure your dog gets his daily nutrition and get excited while at it. The most popular and easy one is the kong (pictured above). There are even special puppies kongs that help with proper teething habits. For maximum mental stimulation try adding peanut butter and freezing it with a bully stick inside.
Food puzzles will help to keep your dog mentally stimulated and entertained. They provide a great outlet for their energy, both physically and mentally while trying to figure out how to get the food out. This is also a great way of distracting him from chewing on your shoes when
you are out working.
5. Organize Play Dates
Dogs are pack animals. They are naturally social animals that love being around other dogs and people. If some of your friends or neighbors also own dogs, you can arrange for a 15-minute play date at the park with them to get your dog some time with his canine buddies. The dates do not have to be at the park. You can arrange for them at one of your homes. Even a walk with a neighbor is a super bonding activity and can help even the most anti-social dog gain more social skills. If you have a hectic schedule and cannot get time off to spend with your dog, consider enrolling him into a doggie day care. This is a perfect place for him to experience the benefits of socialization with other dogs as well as boost his morale.
Dogs are loyal. Your dog cares and loves you unconditionally, without asking for much in return. So why not take the time to ensure that he is just as happy and feels loved in return. Taking care of your dogs will not only make him happier but will also help to improve your life.
Author Bio: June is the founder of TobysBone, where she shares her passion for writing and love for dogs. She wants to help you deal with your dog’s behavior issues, grooming and health needs, and proper training. Through her blog, you can find informative and reliable posts, tips and tricks, and a lot of interesting reads that will help you maintain a close bond with your furry companion.
Have great content or product you’d like to share? Contact us and let’s hear it! We are accepting guest bloggers at this time.
This advise is not to meant as a substitute for veterinary advise. We also participate as an Amazon Affiliate. Your purchasing through our links helps support our research and recommendations.
