Okay, so you’ve got the basics down: safe and comfortable shelter, food and water, and a loving environment. However, dogs are incredibly intelligent and need more than the basics to maintain their happy state, so here we have broken it down into five easy ways to keep your dog perfectly content.
1. Exercise
We have heard the saying, ‘a tired puppy is a good puppy’ and there is good reason for that. Dogs have a lot of energy which they need to exert. If not, they become bored and channel that energy on other, less-wanted activities. To know how much exercise your dog needs, a good rule of thumb is if you get back from a walk and they sleep all day, it was probably too much for them, and you need to reduce it. If you return and find your dog still wants to play, you may want to walk them a little longer. A dog should come back and have a short nap, and then be back to their normal selves.
2. Diet
There are many different types of dog diets out there and much like us humans, it’s important to find the best diet for your dog. Try to aim to give them the best ingredients where possible. If you feed them certain foods and notice your dog gets lethargic easily, this may mean your dog may not be digesting that food properly. Don't be afraid to switch up their food and watch how they respond to it. Just be sure to check the foods are not harmful to dogs.
3. Food dispensing toys
Dogs need to learn from an early age how to self soothe i.e. keep themselves entertained and calm. This is great for if you need to leave your dog for a short amount of time and don't want them getting anxious. The best way to do this is give them a toy that you fill with treats (or apple and carrots if you want to keep it healthy). The dog then has to work out how to get them out. It engages their brain as they have to problem solve, and they get a reward when they figure it out. It’s a win-win scenario!
4. Training
Dogs need mental engagement, and a great way to do this is through training. You can start with the basics such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, and work up to more complex commands. Just remember, treats are like canine currency, so reward them for good behaviour – even when you didn't ask for it. Also, be patient: your dog is not only trying to learn a new command but also in a language they don't understand!
5. Socialising
Last but not least, socialise your dog…with everyone and everything! The more they are socialised with other dogs, animals and different people, the more comfortable they will be around them moving forward. Dogs are pack animals, so they love to be around other dogs and people when playing and learning, so make sure your dog meets others on a regular occurrence. Socialising is a big part of what we do at Tails and Trails Poole: our walks are tailored for your dog not just in terms of the terrain we cover, but also in the groups we introduce your dog to. Got any questions? Feel free to ask us directly if you’d like more information on our techniques for positive socialising.
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