Use its name Sounds too simple, right? But using your dog’s name can make your canine friend happy. The rationale behind this is that when your dog hears its name, it knows you are speaking to it. We’ve all seen it before — simply calling your dog can result in a tiny tail wag of excitement that quickly escalates into a happy pooch headed your way. Happiness achievement = unlocked!
Teach it a new skill Dogs just love to learn new skills, especially working dogs. This stems from their past, when most breeds were developed with a specific skill in mind, be it protecting the flock, hunting vermin or rounding up sheep.While some dogs may struggle with learning new skills, spending time on training is a great way to not only reinforce the bond between you and your four-legged friend, but also to exercise its mind. This mental stimulation is a definite way to get your pup grinning!
Get grooming! While it’s not for every pooch, many dogs love the feel of being groomed. Simply having attention paid to them and a quality brush stroked over their body can have a very soothing effect!
Introduce it to other doggy companions If you have socialised your dog well from puppy age, chances are it loves a little bit of canine companionship. Reward your dog simply for being a top pooch and take it to your local dog park for a bit of nose-to-behind interaction.Spending time with other dogs will enrich your pet’s life. After all, most owners can’t run and play chase quite as fast as the other dogs at the park can!
Keep cool Summer is well and truly here, and we just know this summer will be one of the hottest yet! Make your dog smile during the impending heat wave by having plenty of cool treats on hand to keep his temperature down.We like freezing some beef stock for our dogs to slowly lick at, or even just popping some mince in the freezer and letting our pooches chow down on the cold treat. Your dog will love you for it!
Hide and Treat Playing games with your pet dog is a great way to let it know you love it. Dogs enjoy this as it stimulates them mentally, and also allows them to spend time with you.One game we enjoy is Hide and Treat. Simply go into a separate room from your four-legged friend and hide a few treats. Make it a little challenging — for example, hide some under small cups, or behind a pillow. Then open the door and let your dog’s nose do the work and lead it to his sweet, sweet reward — treats!This also is a great introduction exercise if you’re looking to further your dog’s scent training. Now, if only we could progress to the part where our dog can sniff out where we left our keys …
Go on a hike Just as mental exercise is good for our pets, so is physical! There’s no better way to show your dog how much you care than by taking it for a long and enjoyable walk. Ideally, a walk around 40 minutes in length is a nice treat for your pet.If you always use the same route, indulge in this warmer weather and use this as an excursion for you, too. Try going somewhere new, treating your dog to a whole host of sights and scents it’s not so familiar with.
Get wet Not all dogs like the water, but in our warm Australian climate many do enjoy cooling off, either at the beach or the local dam or lake. But what do you do if you don’t have a body of water nearby where it’s safe or okay for your dog to swim? Get a pet pool, of course!Whether you’re after the traditional “shell” pool that many Aussie kids grew up with, or something a little larger, many toy stores will sell small wading pools. Simply fill yours up with some fresh, clean water, and let your dog splash around!
Create an obstacle course While we don’t all have the time and money to invest in an at-home agility course, there’s no reason you can’t do some obstacle training with your dog in your very own home using everyday household objects. Why not roll up some blankets for a small hurdle; set up some canned goods for your pet to figure-eight around; or have your dog practise going over or under a chair?Simply put your dog on leash and walk it through the activity a few times, introducing it to the idea. Use a treat for your pet to follow at first, then once Fido has got the hang of it, graduate to having your dog complete the mini course on command. Clicker training is really useful in this instance to help your dog know when it has “it” right.
Keep it safe It’s the most straightforward way you can make your pet smile — by protecting it from disease and irritation. Not only is getting your dog vaccinated essential to keeping it alive and healthy, but something as simple as a flea preventative or treatment can make a huge difference to your canine friend’s health.“Some people think that fleas are just part of having a dog. This is false. Fleas are blood-sucking parasites that not only make your dog itchy but can cause severe dermatitis, transmit disease and cause blood loss or anaemia,” Dr James Crowley, a small animal veterinarian from Sydney, says.
Take it on a doggy date Make your dog smile by taking it on a doggy date. Pack a picnic complete with snacks for you and your friend and head down to your local park for a meal in a new location. Make sure you pack plenty of water for your four-legged friend, as well as a variety of treats for the humans in attendance, too. No candles required!
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