When you first get a dog, it’s easy to worry about how your home life will change. Dogs shouldn’t be left outside all of the time, but it can also be stressful upending your home for your new furry friend. If you’re struggling to find a new daily routine with your indoor dog, here are some tips to make the transition easier.
1. Give Them a View
It’s not realistic to keep dogs inside or outside all day, but that doesn’t mean your pets don’t want to know what’s going on outside. If the weather is nice, open the windows. All of the different scents on a warm breeze can keep your dog entertained for quite a bit of time. Dogs often like to guard their abodes, and they prefer to see what’s going on around them. Letting your dog see the activities of your neighborhood can help them feel more secure.
2. Provide a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. Give your dog a special area in your home for food and water, and make sure snacks and other potentially dangerous human foods can’t be reached by curious pups. To keep your dog interested in their food, try mixing different wet foods in with dry foods to switch up their meals from time to time. Keep an eye on how much they are consuming, and be careful not to give them too many treat diversions when they’re bored. On the other hand, if you find that you’re the one who overeats when you’re bored, you may want to check out this Nucific coupon code. Last but not least, your pet’s nails will need to be trimmed/clippped every 2 weeks or so depending on their breed. Long terms effects of overgrown nails can lead to ingrown nails in the paw pads (as well as spinal issues) and discomfort. Lastly, don’t forget the dew claw.
3. Stimulate Their Brain
If a dog spends most of the time inside, chances are they’re going to get bored eventually. Not only is this unhealthy in the long-term, but it can also cause you a lot of stress in return. A bored dog may become destructive and dig or chew on furniture. They may tear up your yard, or bark relentlessly at the window. You can help stave off some of this boredom by providing toys and activities that occupy their mind. There are plenty of puzzle toys for dogs that you can fill with treats. This can keep your dog occupied for hours as they try to get the contraption to open.
4. Make a Training Schedule
Many people underestimate the amount of time a dog requires. If you’re bringing a puppy into your home, training will be even more important. You’ll need to invest in a significant amount of time early on, or both you and the dog will wind up frustrated in the long run. If you can get into a training schedule, your dog will know when it is time to practice each day. If you reward them properly for their progress, they will eventually be excited for each session. Not only does this help to keep your dog occupied, but it can also be life-saving. A dog that doesn’t listen to you may run into the street when they escape the yard, but the dog that knows and trust your commands may not feel the need to dig a hole under the fence in the first place.
5. Create a Safe Space
When you feel overwhelmed, chances are you go to a place that brings you peace and comfort. Ideally, this is a place where no one else can bother you. It is important for dogs to have a safe place to retreat to as well. Give your dog a small space, even if it is just a kennel, so they have a place to go when tired, overwhelmed or scared. Don’t encroach on this space, since a cornered dog may feel the urge to bite or lash out.
6. Provide Fresh Air and Elements of Nature in Your Home
Most allergies and modern day elements are in fact influenced heavily by staying in doors too long and not getting enough fresh air – inside your home. Just remember, you sleep approximately 6-8 hours per night, so even if you are outside for a few hours a day- that is still time you are not breathing fresh air- same goes for your indoor pet. What to do? Get a pet friendly plants, an air purifier and be sure to open your windows to air out your home once a day. If you’re afraid your pet may want to jump out the window- may windows in apartments open from the top and there are screens to help with air flow.
Keeping your pets indoors for most of the time will help them lead safe and happy lives. With a few small updates to your home daily routines, you can help your dog feel entertained and safe for years to come.
