7 Ingredients for a Happy dog

While every dog’s family situation is unique, this is a general list of ingredients that will make your dog happy!

1. Establish a Routine

Dogs love a regular schedule. Try to walk and feed them around the same time every day to make them comfortable.

2. Provide Exercise

Daily walks or time spent playing in the yard are important for the mental and physical well-being of your pooch. The amount of time they should spend outside varies with the size/breed of your dog (and the weather, of course!). Being able to sniff around and play outside actually lowers their overall stress.

3. Provide Mental Stimulation

It's important to challenge your dog by continually teaching them new cues, playing games, or using interactive toys. When their mind is being stimulated regularly, they are much less likely to develop behavioral issues and get into mischief around the house.

4. Learn About Canine Body Language

Dogs communicate with their bodies using gestures such as head turns, body turns, sitting, various tail wags, sniffing the ground, yawning, licking, lying down, etc. They use these signals to communicate with other dogs and with us! Educating ourselves about canine body language helps us understand how they are feeling and how best to accommodate them in the moment. Check out books on canine body language or watch YouTube videos from qualified dog trainers to learn more.

5. Let Them Lead the Way Socially

We used to believe that a mentally healthy dog was friendly with all other dogs. Now, we know that’s not the case. Dogs select their friends just like we do. Some dogs are very social, others have a couple of friends, some are simply tolerant of other dogs, and some only want the companionship of their humans. All of this is normal. Let your dog decide who they want to be and don’t force them to interact with dogs that they don’t want to meet. (Please note: If your dog is reactive to other dogs (barking, growling, or lunging), please seek out the help of a trainer.)

6. Provide Adequate Rest and Good Sleeping Arrangements

Adult dogs need 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day, and puppies require even more. If you have a busy household with a lot of activity from morning to night, they may not be getting adequate rest. Provide a nice cool, dark room with a bed and a bowl of water that your dog can retreat to when they need to rest. Dogs are also social sleepers. Even if they avoid companionship during the day, they come together to sleep. Give them the option of sleeping in the same room with a family member.

7. Teach Basic Cues

Basic cues such as “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and “come” when taught with positive reinforcement are not only useful but they establish communication between you and your dog. If you work on basic cues, your dog is more likely to really listen to you when you need them to. Basic cues also build your dog’s confidence. We are very quick to let our dogs know when they’ve done something wrong. It’s also important to let them know when they get things right!

If you have any questions or want some help with your dog’s behavior, please reach out to us.

Happy Training!

Jennifer Damon

Owner/Love For Paws Dog Training

Ph: 818-720-3275

www.loveforpaws.com