We all want to do right by our pets. So as a responsible dog owner, you must keep your dog stimulated and happy so they don’t become overweight and miserable. Here are some tips.
Play Games All the Time
Hundreds of millions of people all over the world subscribe to Netflix. And over 2.5 billion of us play video games. So it’s safe to say we love entertainment at home. And your dog is no different, as you will probably already know. Dogs love to play. And they will play so much that it’s more than likely you will become tired before your dog is done having fun. But some breeds, like the charming ones from Kerris Havanese, are more playful than others. So they’re great for kids. Yet a playful dog is also a happy dog. And a happy dog is more social and friendly.
Always Praise and Reward Good Behaviour
Dogs are at their happiest when you have a positive relationship with them. And you can show your dog how much you appreciate them with visual and physical praise. Known as positive reinforcement, you can encourage good behaviour by rewarding it. This is how professional trainers do their job, such as for police dogs. Fortunately, it’s easily done with young dogs, and you can make your dog very obedient with simple praise and reward with treats. However, it’s also essential to keep up praise and reward as your dog ages to keep a strong bond.
Keep Your Dog Stimulated when Alone
For most of us, it simply isn’t possible to be with our dogs 24/7. Work, life and family get in the way. And dogs, as you may know, don’t like to be alone. A stressed dog can act out and become destructive. But you can keep your dog entertained while you aren’t there:
- Chews, like rawhide, that they can nibble for hours.
- Food puzzle balls that contain treats they must work for.
- Smart home tech for monitoring and speaking to your dog.
A dog will happily chew on something for quite a long time, so even a cheap toy will keep them entertained when popping out. Food puzzle balls encourage them to move around if they are in for a while. And you can check in on your dog with smart apps if you are gone all day.
Give them Different Toys
Variety is the spice of life, apparently. And the same can be said for dogs. Even though they love toys, they can get bored with the same ones all the time. An excellent trick to keep your dog entertained is to rotate their toys on a weekly basis. Dogs are generally fickle and will react to these as if they are brand new toys they have never seen before. And they will love you for it. This is especially effective if you are away from home for a while. Getting out of the dog’s toy box will take their mind off the fact that you are leaving, and they may not even notice.
Massage After a Long Walk
People love a massage. And so do dogs. Massage can help stimulate blood flow and relieve pain. This is a great way to help older dogs get around more. And will help prevent younger dogs from straining muscles after a long walk or playing session. However, like human massage, you must learn to massage a dog properly. If you don’t, you could cause injury to muscle groups and make your dog’s issues worse. A dog with a severe health issue will benefit from a weekly massage, while a healthy dog will enjoy a massage once per month.
Summary
It’s easier than you think to keep your dog stimulated for a happier life. Playing games, keeping them entertained when alone and regular massage are all beneficial to your dog’s health.
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