Your dog will add oh so much to your life. They’re always there to make you smile, they’re full of love, and can help to keep any feelings of loneliness at bay. As such, the least we can do is ensure that our canine friends have a happy and healthy life. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the best, tried and tested ways to keep your pet in high spirits and all-around loving life.
Embrace Them In the Household
The absolute best thing that you can do for your dog is to make them feel welcome and at home in your household. Dogs want to live in a pack, and they’ll feel a lot more settled if everyone in your family is on board with the pet.
Of course, it’s normal that some members of the household will be more interested in your pooch than others, but it’s important that no-one is actively against the idea. Dogs — as well as humans — can always tell when they’re not welcome somewhere, and it can make for a pretty miserable life. Welcome that little ball of love into your family with open arms!
Give Them Their Space (And Toys)
Though your dog will want to be a part of the family as much as possible, they’ll also want their own space. All dogs have their own moods and moments during the day when they just want to hang out by themselves.
It sometimes sounds silly, but it’s true! So if possible, look at setting up a corner of the home that they can call their own. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, just a cozy bed in a warm and quiet spot in the house. And of course, we all know that your dog will be much happier if they have toys to call their own.
To add to the toys, some dogs really enjoy wearing clothes! A dog hoodie would make them very happy.
Regular Walks
One thing that we’re all learning during the lockdown is that it sucks to be inside all the time. So now we know how dogs feel! To keep your dog’s tail wagging, be sure to take them outside as frequently as you can. Your dog will need to go on at least two walks a day.
While one might just be a quick neighborhood walk, the other should be a long one, which really allows your dog to explore. This will make them happy, and will also have a knock-on effect for you, too; you’ll find that they’re much calmer in the evening, perfect for those evening snuggles on the couch.
The Right Food
As with humans, it’s really important that your dog is getting the right food. Not all dog food is the same! Some are the equivalent of junk food for humans. If you’re giving your pet low-quality meals, then it won’t be long before you begin to notice problems. For example, they’ll be less energetic, and they’ll also be more likely to develop underlying health conditions.
If you don’t know which food you should be giving your pet, then have a talk with the expert. Different breeds, sizes, and ages all have different requirements. Think of the difference between a human that had a balanced, healthy diet, and one that just eats junk food — the same kind of difference can be seen in dogs, too.
The right food includes the right chewy toys and treats. 100% rawhide-free dog chews that are the healthiest choice for dogs. Nutri Chomps rawhide alternative dog chews are fully digestible and veterinarian recommended.
Visits to the Groomer
We all know how much better we feel after we’ve been to the hairdresser, right?! While it affects your dog on a different level, it’s still important. Keeping your dog clean and well-trimmed can help to keep their fur healthy.
During the summer, shorter hair will help them to keep cool, too. Your dog might rebel against the idea when you’re on your way to the groomer, but they’ll be happy afterward.
Taking Care Of Issues
Your dog is a living creature, and, as such, that means that they’re going to have issues from time to time. This could happen because they’re predisposed to getting certain conditions because they’re a certain breed, or it could be for circumstantial reasons — such as they injured themselves when they were exploring the outdoors. Our dogs cannot easily tend to irritation on their head, causing them to shake in effort to relive their discomfort. Find out why your dog keeps shaking head.
Whatever the causes, if your dog is in pain, then it’s important that you’re taking steps to get them back to full health. Even if the condition doesn’t cause long-lasting pain, it can still be uncomfortable, and your dog won’t want to go through its life without being able to play. Whatever issue your dog has, there will always be options.
There are braces that can help with dog back pain relief, for example. For more complicated matters, surgery may be required. It can sometimes be a little difficult to nurse your dog back to full health, but it will be worth it in the long run!
Meeting With Other Dogs
Your dog is going to love spending time with you and your family, but they’ll also be pretty eager (most likely, anyway) to spend some time with other dogs. If you notice that your dog is always trying to get close to other dogs (in a friendly way) when you’re out for walkies, then try to facilitate some meetings.
Wherever you live, there’ll surely be places where dog owners take their pets. Head on down! If your dog hasn’t spent much time with other dogs, then you’ll want to keep him or her on a leash at the beginning. You’ll see just how happy it makes them!
Engage in Playtime
Your dog will be happy to snuggle up to you, but they’ve also got a lot of energy, and will love to engage in some playtime. Invest in some toys and give them what they want; it’s as simple as throwing a ball for them to retrieve. All in all, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours on a warm day.
Joyful Routine Moments
We tend to think that dogs just go with the flow, but this isn’t true — dogs like a routine almost as much as humans do! So make sure you’ve got some warm routines in the schedule for your dog.
One of the best ones is to make a habit of spending some time on the couch together before bedtime, just watching TV or reading or whatever. Your dog will never be able to say it, but they’ll be super happy! And before long, you’ll notice that your dog is moving towards the couch at the same time each night, because they’re excited for one of the highlights of their day.
Big Adventures
While those daily walks will bring little slices of joy to your dog’s life, you might need to do a little more to give your dog the best possible experience. One way to do this is to plan a big trip out into the great outdoors.
No matter where you live, you’ll surely have a beautiful state park located within easy driving distance. Pack up your supplies and get out there for the day. Your dog will be super excited from the moment they arrive until you leave!
All the Love!
Finally, don’t forget to bring all the love that you can bring. One of the most beautiful things about dogs is that if you pump them full of love and warm feelings, then they’ll give it back to you ten times over.
It’s rare for someone to have an instant bond with a dog, but it can be nurtured pretty quickly, so don’t worry if you don’t hit it off straight away. It’ll come in time!