To have a happy dog, you need to keep your dog relaxed and content every day. Every responsible pet owner wants their dog to be healthy and happy, but they might not know all the key details to make this happen. While most dog owners do many things right, you might still improve how much love, attention, and stimulation your dog gets.
Here are some tips we recommend for raising a happy dog.
Be Patient
Your dog might need more care and attention than others. Every dog is unique and has different needs. Be patient when training or working on behaviour changes.
Stay Positive
In your interactions with your dog, try to model happiness and stay positive. Smile and speak in your best dog voice. Maintain a positive relationship with your dog, avoiding shouting and punishment.
Praise your pet physically and verbally. Use positive reinforcement training to encourage good behaviour.
High-Quality Dog Food
Find the best quality food for your dog. This is not an area to skimp on. A dog’s health depends on what it eats. Check out excellent brands like Acana dog food, which come highly recommended.
Explore New Dog Treats
While it’s much better to invest extra in premium healthy dog food when training and as a reward, it doesn’t hurt to give them treats. They don’t need to be expensive treats, either. Many make-your-own recipes with affordable ingredients or food scraps can be done at home. For high-quality options and innovative ideas, Mighty Munch is a great place to explore new dog treats that your pet will love.
Keep It Simple
When training your dog, do not overcomplicate things. Teach them a single command per training session. Ensure they have it before moving on to something else. Use gentle methods to reinforce your teachings.
Dogs Home Alone
Try not to leave your dog home alone for an extended period. If it struggles with separation anxiety, you may want to consider a dog walker. You may also want to consider having a family member, friend, or neighbour come by to visit, feed, and walk it.
Rotate Dog Toys
Give your dogs variety. Rotate their dog toys to avoid boredom. Try a weekly rotation every month to ensure your dog never neglects their toys.
Lots of Chew Toys
Dogs chew and destroy their toys. Let them, but do not judge them for it. Chewing a toy is also good for their oral health.
Play Games
Play games with your dog to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour. Physically and mentally, rough-and-tumble games can get dogs excited and interested in exercise. This tires them out and gives them a full-body workout.
Play Indoors
Playtime isn’t just for outsiders. Indoors, play hide-and-seek, find a treat hidden under plastic cups, play a simple game of tag, chase a ball, or teach them another trick. This will thoroughly entertain and engage your puppy.
Switch Up Your Daily Walks
Visit new parks, woods, beaches, or streets. Mix up your walking routine to stimulate your mind. While you’re out and about, ensure your dog gets enough time to sniff out new scents. Let them linger and explore.
Adhere to Structure
Dogs feel happy when they are in the midst of a structure. Within that structure, routines can be switched up on occasion. However, overall, the security and reliability of routine keep your dog engaged and looking forward to their days.
Teach Basic Dog Commands
Sit, look, wait, take it, and drop it are the top five essential dog commands to teach your pup. Canines live to please their owners. Through dog training, a dog can discover expectations and learn how to fulfill them.
Give Your Dog a Job
Keep practicing beyond the basic commands and encourage your dog to take on certain jobs. For example, fetching the newspaper, closing doors, or clearing away their toys. A dog that feels like a household member and receives attention.
Give Them Activity
Research a dog’s breed to learn what activity level they need to be happy. Their exercise does not need to be walking. They can be taken to play fetch, go swimming, and more. This will help your dog control its weight and burn excess energy.
Try a Dog Massage
Dogs love to cuddle and be petted. Take things to the next level by learning how to massage your dog, petting and scratching the right spots, and relaxing the tired muscles that carry your dog around all day.
Off-Leash Time
When it’s legal and safe, give your dog some off-leash time. This may be possible in an enclosed dog park. Regardless, any dog will be excited to run off-leash, exploring without limits.
