As dog owners, we don’t just look after our dogs – we mean their world and are responsible for keeping them not only healthy and happy, but content and happy too.
Although dogs can’t directly tell you if they’re happy, there are signs you can start to recognize. If your dog sleeps or naps peacefully, has a good appetite, and is generally well-behaved and playful, these are reasonable signs that he’s happy. If your dog walks around wagging his tail, greets you happily every time you come through the door, and wants to spend as much time with you as possible, these can also be good signs.
Below are some tips to keep your dog happy and have a great day every day.
13 tips to keep your dog happy
1. Reward good behavior
Dogs love to receive positive feedback for good behavior. Plus, this positive reinforcement makes your dog more likely to repeat the same positive behavior, building an even stronger bond between you and your dog. Building a strong bond between you and your dog is a surefire way to give your dog a great day.
Give physical praise as well as verbal praise, and if you use praise as a deliberate training tool, give the praise immediately after the desired behavior.
3. Get enough exercise
Exercise is important for a dog’s physical and mental health, and most dogs love to run around, or at least walk to the dog park and back. Dogs need at least 45 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day, but the amount of exercise your dog needs will vary depending on their breed, physical condition and general health. If you’re unsure, ask your vet for advice on the appropriate amount of exercise for your puppy.
Walks are the most common form of exercise, but you can also include playtime in your daily exercise plan.
4. Try different exercises
Mix up the types of exercise you give your dog: indoor play, yard play, walks, etc. Consider tossing a tennis ball, playing with tug-of-war toys, or even setting up an indoor or outdoor obstacle course for your dog to enjoy.
This variety keeps your dog mentally active and more tired than doing the same type of exercise every day.
5. Sign up for classes
To vary your pup’s exercise, consider enrolling them in dog training or sports classes. There’s a wide range of activities they can take part in, from agility to flyball, both of which are common and can be enjoyed by any healthy dog and owner. More unusual sports include scent work, which is ideal for scent dogs like beagles but is suitable for any breed, and dock diving.
Classes are also a great opportunity to work on training and further socialize your puppy.
6. Change your dog’s toys regularly
Toys provide stimulation and satisfaction for many dogs, and having a variety of toys on hand can give your dog plenty of playtime. Determine what types of toys your dog likes, like tennis balls or tug toys, and find quality ones that will last.
Instead of giving your dog a big basket of 20 toys, choose 3 or 4 to give to them for a week or two. Then, replace one or two with new toys and repeat the process after another week or two. This way your dog won’t get bored with the toys he has and will feel like he’s getting a new toy every time you give him one back.
7. Play
While most dogs enjoy playing with their favorite toys, they generally prefer interactive play with their favorite humans. Throw a ball around the yard, grab a tug-of-war toy, or find a way to play with your dog’s favorite stuffed animal. This will help create a strong bond between you and your dog, keep him a little tired, and keep him as happy as possible.
8. Provide interactive toys
No matter how much you love your dog, you can’t keep him entertained all day long, as he may become too dependent on you and develop separation anxiety when you’re not with him.
Interactive toys are toys that dispense treats and keep your dog entertained and provide physical exercise as well as mental stimulation. They are especially useful if you go out and want your dog to have something to do while you’re away.
9. Teach your dog a job
Some dogs enjoy working. You don’t necessarily have to herd sheep with your collie, but you can teach him tasks that are similar to the roles he will perform at work. The mental stimulation and physical exercise he gets will keep him happy and prevent him from getting frustrated.
A frustrated dog is more likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors such as chewing and digging.
10. Socialize
In addition to training your dog, you also need to socialize him. Socialization is most effective when started as a puppy, but should continue throughout your dog’s life. Socialization not only keeps his brain active, it also reduces anxiety, especially when he is in a new environment and meeting other people and dogs.
Puppy classes are a great place to start, adult dog training or sports classes are a good opportunity to continue the hard work, and varying the route of your daily walks is also a very effective way to make the effort stick.
11. Find or make healthy dog treats
Some dogs love rewards because of how happy they are, but you can’t give them rewards whenever they want, as this can lead to weight problems and obesity unless the rewards you give them are healthy and not too high in calories.
If your dog prefers dog food, you can use that too, measure out their food portions each day and keep a handful of biscuits in your pocket as a reward or treat, or consider making your own homemade treats which are cheap and tasty.
12. Groom yourself regularly
Grooming helps keep your dog clean and has many health benefits – not the least of which is getting rid of dead hair and tangles that can cause discomfort and lead to overheating or hypothermia.
Get out the brush and spend 5 to 10 minutes a day brushing your dog, clipping his nails every two months, and brushing his teeth 3 times a week.
13. Check your diet
Diet and nutrition play a big role in not only their general health but also their mental health. Limit the amount of unhealthy foods you feed your dog and make sure you feed them good quality food. Treats should not be high in calories. Also, avoid overfeeding your dog with human food and always check the ingredients of the food you feed them. A healthy dog is a happy dog.
Conclusion
A happy dog will greet you with a wagging tail and show no signs of anxiety. Dogs generally enjoy spending time with you, but some dogs enjoy their independence even when they’re content.
They love going for walks and playing in the garden or around the house and have a friendly, relaxed attitude towards other people and dogs.
Featured image credit: Evgeny Atamanenko, Shutterstock
