Taking too long? Close loading screen.
August 12th
It’s easy to take your dog’s happiness for granted. Dogs are naturally energetic and playful, and they always seem to be in a good mood.
But dogs have mood swings just like humans, and they may get sad or bored if they aren’t stimulated. And just as they give out love, they need to receive it.
Here are some easy things you can do to keep your dog happy.
Grooming is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and happy. It can keep their fur from getting tangled and their skin from getting irritated. Plus, a lot of dogs enjoy being brushed, as it helps them relax.
Make sure that you brush your dog a few times a week if they have a longer coat. You should also give them a bath every now and again, although always be careful with the type of shampoo you use.
In addition to grooming and bathing, you should check your dog’s ears and trim their nails. These two parts of the grooming process aren’t usually very popular, but they can save your dog a lot of issues down the road.
Treats are magical when it comes to dogs. No matter the situation, the right treat can put your dog in a better mood and make them obey.
Treats are a great way of rewarding your dog for good behavior. You can also harness the power of treats to teach your dog different commands, from basics like “sit” and “stay” to more complicated fetch commands.
There’s nothing wrong with giving your dog plenty of treats. Just make sure you don’t spoil their appetite. If you use treats to train your dog, don’t do it right before a big meal. And make sure the treats you choose are nutritious.
Keep in mind that the reward is the most important thing for a dog, not the size of the treat. That’s why a treat that’s half the size of another may still work just as well. You can cut the treats in half to save money and keep your dog from filling up before eating.
Although dogs like to lounge around, they also need to get exercise and stimulation. Dogs that don’t move around and engage their brain often get bored, and a bored dog can be quite a handful.
One of the best ways of keeping a dog engaged is with training. It forces your dog to use all of their focus on one task, and can be a great mental and physical workout. It also tends to wear them out, so they won’t run around as much indoors and sleep better at night.
The best way to train your dog is with positive reinforcement. This means that you reward your dog when they do something right without punishing them for doing it wrong. It’s a great way of building a strong, trusting bond with your dog.
You can start with basic obedience training at home or enroll your dog in a class. Once they’ve got the basics down pat, you can move on to more complicated clicker training.
Dogs are social creatures that are happiest when around other people and animals. You need to make sure that your puppy gets proper socialization so that they learn how to behave around others.
If you live near a dog park, take your puppy and have them meet other dogs and people. This is one of the best ways of boosting a dog’s mood and keeping them from getting bored.
Socialization also tends to wear dogs out quickly. By the time you get back from the park, all your dog will want to do is lie down and take a long nap. This can help prevent destructive behavior that comes from boredom.
Dog parks may be a big overstimulating for puppies, as there’s a lot to see and smell all at once. Introduce the dog park slowly by going on short visits at first, letting your dog adjust to it at their own pace.
Last but not least, any dog will need plenty of play and affection to stay happy. Even the laziest dog will still want to run around every now and then to blow off steam.
If they don’t get enough play, your dog may start to misbehave, acting out by chewing up furniture, using your house as a bathroom, or barking.
Dogs were bred to seek out human attention, and they are happiest when they are getting plenty of affection. If you don’t give them enough attention, they may let you know.
The type of play will vary depending on the breed and age of the dog. In general, around 30 minutes of play per day is a great way of keeping your dog engaged and happy.
You can run around out back and toss a ball around, go swimming, or take them on a run. The options really are endless, so use your imagination.
Are you still searching for the perfect pooch? Then take a look at our puppy finder. At Uptown Puppies, we work with some of the best breeders and companies around to find you your dream canine companion.
We only work with breeders and companies who live up to strict ethical standards. That means no puppy mills or backyard breeders.
More Puppy Insights
Find the Perfect Puppy
