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Dogs are beautiful creatures, and we love them dearly (well, you probably do if you’ve ended up on this site). The only problem is we can’t communicate with them in the same way that we communicate with people. We don’t use words; we use intuition. Much like a mother with her baby, you build a connection with your dog. As the years go by and they grow older, you communicate with one another by sensing each other’s feelings. If you’re feeling blue then your dog might snuggle up to you, and if they’re feeling blue then their behavior will give them away. Still, there’s a lot you can do to keep your dog healthy and happy. Those two things go hand in hand, after all. Let’s talk about some ways to keep your furry friend feeling “paw-sitive”.
Get proper dog food.
The first step to keeping your furry friend endlessly content is to get them some proper dog food. Eating well is vital to your pup’s health and happiness. Everybody knows this. But the important thing is to focus on the quality of the food you give your dog rather than the quantity. Don’t just buy the first food brand you find in any old store; you need to think about the sustenance your dog is getting. Many cheap dog food brands use filler ingredients to save money, so these won’t give your dog the nutrients and vitamins they need. You might want to opt for organic and healthy dog food to make sure your pup gets the necessary sustenance for their health and happiness. It’s so important for your dog’s wellbeing that they eat properly. Make sure you check the ingredients and nutritional value of any food you feed to your furry friend. Prioritize health benefits over cost.
Spend time together.
Another great way to keep your furry friend happy at all times is to spend time with them. This is one of the most simple pieces of advice any owner can take on board if they want to make sure their dog remains happy. At the end of the day, your fluffy companion doesn’t care about toys or chasing sticks as much as they care about you. Simply spending time with your dog will help you both to bond, and this is essential for your connection. Showing your dog love and attention will let them know they can trust you. Plus, every pup loves to play. You can have play fights over chew toys or just let your crazy little buddy chase you around the house (as long as you don’t break anything). Spending time together is the best way to keep your furry friend feeling positive. Dogs love to spend time with their owners.
And it’s a two-way street. Spending time with your dog will keep you happy, too. Many studies have proven that sleeping next to your pet can reduce anxiety, for example. Their presence is calming, and petting them can help to release anxious thoughts by directing those negative feelings away from yourself. It even reduces your blood pressure. And this helps to have the same effect on your pet. Physical contact helps you and your furry friend to bond. Dogs love feeling close to their owners, and sleeping with you will give them a deep level of comfort and relaxation. You’ll both awake feeling refreshed, and that’s vital to both your physical and mental health. Never dismiss the importance of a good night’s sleep for you or your dog.
Make sure they regularly exercise.
The best thing about this is that it’s easy to get your dog to regularly exercise. Unlike many people, dogs actually want to stay physically active. They get restless if they stay indoors for too long, so it’s important to take your dog out for regular walks (or runs) in your local park. It’s a good chance for them to meet other dogs, too. There are obvious physical health benefits to making sure your dog regularly exercises, but there are also many mental health benefits. Exercise releases endorphins in your dog’s brain, so this will help to keep him or her endlessly content. It has the same effect on you, so you should try running alongside your dog. It’ll make you both feel better. A trim waistline is only one reason to exercise. In terms of your dog’s happiness, physical activity is very important.
Prioritize comfort at home.
Humans need creature comforts, and dogs are no different. If you want your furry friend to stay positive at all times then you need to prioritize comfort at home. You need to make sure that your household is as cozy and relaxing for your pet as it is for you. Much in the same way that people change elements of their home for their newborn babies, you might have change elements of your home for your dog. If you want them to be able to run freely around the garden then you should make sure the fence and the gate are secure, for example; dogs aren’t always able to find their way home if they get lost. In terms of your pet’s comfort, however, you need to make sure you give them a nice bed; as mentioned in an earlier point, sleeping well is essential to their health. You also need to make sure you give your dog chew toys that are safe. Not all dog toys are actually good for their teeth, believe it or not. Don’t simply trust a toy because it’s store-bought. It might not be good for your pup.
Keep training your dog.
Finally, one of the best ways to keep your furry friend endlessly content is to keep training them. Teaching your dog new tricks isn’t just something cool to do if you want them to roll over on command; it provides them with the necessary mental stimulation for growth and development. Plus, every dog is happy to sit or lie down when their owner asks if it means they get a delicious treat as a reward. You’re helping them on many levels. Many owners only train their dogs whilst they’re young, but it’s smart to keep teaching them new things as they get older; it keeps them mentally healthy and sharp, and this will help with their overall wellbeing. Again, they’re very similar to people, in this sense.
If your dog is still young then it can be hard to train them, of course. During their first few months as a puppy, they need to get used to the world. You need to make sure that you retain your patience. If you want your dog to feel happy and relaxed in your home then you need to give them the time necessary to trust you. And you have to earn that trust by giving them the necessary space to become comfortable with their surroundings. It can take time, but it’s worth the long journey. Just make sure that everyone in the house takes the time to bond with the family pet so that your dog feels comfortable with everyone. That way, they’ll always feel happy and content in the house.
Keeping your dog feeling positive is all about giving them the best possible environment to grow and learn. Treat them in the same way as you’d treat a person. Give them the necessary space to grow and learn. It can take time, but it’ll be worth it for your dog’s long-term happiness.