Most people get a dog because they have a sense that those loveable creatures can help to make their own lives better. However, it’s important to remember that bringing a dog into your life is about more than what they can do for you; it’s about what you can do for them. And there’s a lot that you can do! At the bare minimum, you should be giving them a happy and healthy life. In this blog, we’ll look at a bunch of things that’ll have your dog feeling their best — and make sure that it stays that way, too.
Go for a Hike
A long walk will do both you and your dog good. After all, what could be better than going for a long hike in the great doors? This will keep your dog’s body in tip-top condition and also give them a sense to fully indulge all of their dog senses. Plus, it’s just a good thing to do for your own mental well-being, and that can also have a positive impact on your furry friend — dogs are known to mood match, so if you feel happy, then they’ll be likely to feel happy too!
Help Them Make Friends
You’re going to mean a lot to your dog. You’ll be the shining star in their night sky. However, they also need to orbit some planets, too. And by that, we mean: they need to make friends. Wherever you live, there’ll be a dog-friendly park near your home, so look at paying regular visits on your walks. Of course, don’t assume that your dog will automatically be friendly with other dogs. As with humans, they need to learn the socialization process, which can only happen with exposure. You can help your dog make friends by starting this process as early as possible. Plus, going to doggy parks will have benefits for you too — you’ll make friends of your own!
Regular Checkups
Do you love going for regular checkups at the doctor’s office? Probably not — but you do it because you know that it’ll help to safeguard your future happiness, so it’s worth it. Your dog will likely be even more apprehensive about going to the vet’s clinic. However, as is the case with you, it’s important that you take them. It’s the best way to ensure they have a healthy and happy life, after all! Remember that not all vet clinics are created equal. If your dog doesn’t have a good relationship with one vet, then don’t hesitate to look elsewhere. They’ll likely never be excited about going to the vet, but they should at the very least be comfortable while they’re there.
Develop a Grooming Routine
Humans feel at their best when they look at their best, and again, you can say the same for dogs. As such, it’s recommended to develop a robust grooming routine so that they always have lush-looking fur, clean teeth, and no earwax issues. You should also pay particular attention to their nails, which should be trimmed once they get too long. This won’t be a fun job for you or for them, but it’s a key process — those long nails can cause them pain.
Give Them Their Space
Your dog will be happy to be by your side the majority of the time. But they’ll also have moments when they just want to be by themselves. For instance, if there’s a lot of commotion and they want to rest, then they’ll be happy to have a quiet place where they can retreat. For these purposes, having a dog bed in a calm part of your home can be highly effective. After all, who doesn’t love having a bed where they can unwind and relax?! Any type of dog bed will do the trick, but if you’re really looking to enhance their happiness, then look at splurging a little to get the best one available. They’ll spend a lot of time there after all, and in any case, they’re worth it!
Quality Food
You wouldn’t expect to be in tip-top physical condition if you ate junk food all day. You wouldn’t expect to be happy, either, since the nutritional value of junk food won’t give you the building blocks you need to be at your best. One mistake that many new dog owners make is thinking that any old dog food is fine. This is not the case. You’ll be helping your dog be at their healthiest and happiest best if you invest in quality chicken dog food, which will be both delicious and give your pet everything they need from a nutritional perspective. Plus, it’ll help to reduce the instances when they beg for your food since they’ll have their own delicious meal!
The Occasional Treat
Setting rules for your dog is an important part of being a dog owner. It benefits both them and you and ensures that you can manage their life correctly. But with that being said, there’s no reason to be overly strict all the time. Once the rules are firmly in place, it’s OK to give them the occasional treat. For example, on their birthday. There are plenty of dog-friendly meats which, cooked to perfection, will essentially give your pet the best meal of their life. Other treats could be spending a little longer than normal at the dog park or taking them on a trip. It’s the little things, basically, which will put a big smile on their cute little faces.
Couch Cuddles
You probably love curling up on the couch with a movie, especially on those dark and long winter nights. It’s one of those things that everyone can get behind — and when we say everyone, we mean dogs too! Some people prefer to keep their dogs off the couch, but it’s much better to give them the freedom to curl up to you. It’s just one of those things that doesn’t mean so much to you but means a whole lot to them. If that means having to invest in a pet-friendly couch, then so be it. It’ll be worth all the happy memories that you make.
Let Them Explore
All dog owners know that they have to take their pets on a couple of walks each day. But just as important as the number of walks is the quality of those walks. A quick five-minute walk around the block is unlikely to do your dog much good. So first off, commit to a set time — at least twenty minutes per walk sounds about right. In addition, be sure to give your dogs some freedom to explore. The walk is mainly for their benefit anyway, so why not let them enjoy all the smells that they come across?
Dog Massages
If you’ve got any extra money, then we encourage you to treat yourself to a massage. They can just feel so good. And it’s not only humans that benefit from massages. Dogs love them too! In fact, they probably enjoy them more, since there are so many parts of their bodies that they can’t access. Learn how to give a good dog massage, and they’ll feel oh so good.
Go Above and Beyond
Finally, you can’t help to make your dog by going above and beyond to make sure they are. Don’t assume that they’re happy just because they’re a dog! Pay attention to their mood, and if necessary, give them a jolt of happiness when they begin to feel low or distressed.
Main Image Credit Pexels – CC0 Licence
