Your dog, your furry little friend, gives you unconditional love, care, and cuddles without expecting anything in return. And as their pet owner, you should also work towards keeping them happy and healthy. For the former part, you don’t have to spoil them with lots of toys or treats, just play with them or give them your undivided attention. That will make your little pups or big dogs the happiest of creatures around.
Read the tips below if you are wondering about other ways to make your dog happy. It has a few of the best and most effective ways to make your furry friend happy and healthy.
Praise your dog for good behavior.
Dogs are social animals and love interactions. So, praising them is one of the best ways to keep them happy. It also helps with positive reinforcement training, as when you praise them verbally or physically, they will continue to be on their best behavior. Even if they do something wrong, like pee on the carpet, shouting or yelling at them will not work. Instead, praise them by cuddling them, allowing them to lick you, or expressing your emotions verbally. One way to incorporate positive reinforcement into your dog’s routine is by rewarding them with treats like Mighty Munch, which are specially made for dogs and can be used as a tasty way to reinforce good behavior. Then, they will understand you and feel happier.
Take them on a daily walk.
Make it a habit to take your dog for a daily walk. Take him in the morning to help do his business and let him play with a ball or run around in the evening. Sometimes, you can change their walking routine by taking them on a hike, on a different route, or to the dog park, where you and your friend can get some sunshine. It helps them stay happy and keeps their weight in check, which is essential for their health. To ensure your dog keeps pace with you on your walk, get a sturdy but comfortable collar and leash from Alpine Dogs. Something that doesn’t injure their neck is breathable and stylish.
Get him some toys
Dogs are like kids who love playing with their toys; they will not mind chewing your shoes, either. So, one of the best ways to keep your dog happy and engaged is to buy him toys. You don’t have to buy a lot, but ensure you get the correct toys according to the age and breed of your dog. You can find big selections of dog toys at a local store, or an online pet store. Moreover, don’t give all the toys at once, as dogs get bored with their toys in a few moments. So, keep rotating the toys, as it will help them stay happy and busy.
Cuddle with them
Pick your dog up in the morning and give him lots of cuddles and kisses. It will make their morning and entire day happy. Then, in the night, cuddle him before you go off to sleep. In short, give them lots of cuddles and let them hug you or lick you once you get home from work or after a short vacation.
Give the dog a bath
Most dogs don’t like bathing, but they should get groomed on time. So, as per the breed of the dog, bathe him once or three times a month. It will make them feel fresh, allergen-free, and happy. Then, let them soak in the sun after the bath, and you will see how fine their moods get.
Play hide and seek with your dog.
Don’t worry; your dog will love playing this game with you. Just hide in a good place and call your dog after you do so. When he does find you, make sure you praise him a lot for being a good seeker. It will keep them engaged, and playing with your dog will make you both happy. Play other games, like fetch, climbing a pole, and more. You can always teach your dog a new move, game, or skill; they will catch on quickly because dogs are quick learners. It will be fun and mind-stimulating for them, eventually keeping them happy and healthy.
Give them a job
Dogs are known to be happy when they have a job to do as that is what they were bred for, like hunting or guarding the house. Now, this will require specific and extensive training. However, you can train your dog to do a few simple things for household purposes. It can be fetching the newspaper from the front- door, or if you get parcels from online shopping frequently, train them to fetch them from the delivery guy. Honestly, helping around the house will make them feel happy and engaged.
Make sure they always have company.
Dogs are social animals, as mentioned above. So, being alone for a long time can give them stress and anxiety. Therefore, when going on vacation, have a dog walker or sitter. If you cannot, leave your dog with a neighbor or member of your family. If even this is out of the question, buy stimulating and interactive toys for the dog. It will keep him engaged and not make him feel lonely. Even when you go to work, leave a good interactive toy out, so your dog feels like he is never alone.
Give your dog a massage.
Yes, even dogs love massages, and similar to humans, it is good for them. When you massage your dog, it strengthens your bond. It also relaxes his body by influencing his nervous system, among other things. So, massage your dogs at least once a day or twice a week. Massaging your dog is simple; you start by petting them and talking to them softly. Following that, you begin massaging their neck, back, and legs, working your way to the front.
Note: Once you start massaging your dog, stopping will be challenging, as your dog will not let you stop.
Make some treats for your dog.
Dogs also love getting treats once in a while. And isn’t it better when it comes straight from you and not from a store or package? So, look up some recipes online and make a few special dishes, like a spinach omelet or a dessert for your dog. He will love eating it, and the cuddles you will get afterward are worth all the mess you make in the kitchen.
Go swimming with your dog.
If your dog loves water and is always excited for bath time, take them swimming. Find a local beach that allows dogs to swim, or you can just get a collapsible pool for your backyard and have your dog enjoy the water there.
Let your dog run and sniff on their walks.
One of the best ways to keep dogs happy is to let them sniff and run on their walks. After that, it is their time to get out, see what is happening in the neighborhood, and enjoy. Sniffing everything from the garbage can to a stranger on the road is part of the process.
To conclude, keeping your furry friend happy doesn’t require big efforts or expenses. All you need is to take them on walks, be with them, cuddle with them, play, massage them, and more. All this is enough for them to roam around, licking you with happiness. Always remember, a happy dog is a healthy dog, so make their life paw-site with the above few tips.
