Dogs are great companions for people, but they can be a lot of work. They need to get walked regularly, fed multiple times per day, and given lots of attention. If you’re not prepared for the responsibility that comes with owning a dog, it’s best to think about whether or not you really want one before getting one.
However, if you love dogs and are ready to make them happy in your home, there are many things that you can do! There is no limit when it comes to making your dog happy – after all, they would do anything for us!
1. Walk your dog regularly
As we mentioned before, dogs need to be walked regularly. Make sure that your dog gets at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. All dogs are different though and some happy dogs may not need much exercise. If you’re unsure about how much walking your dog needs, talk it over with a veterinarian or trainer. Some dogs are happy without getting any exercise at all. If you’re not sure how much exercise your happy dog needs, talk to a professional.
Don’t take your dog to places that they hate – If your happy dog hates loud noises, don’t go to the fireworks show every year. If your happy dog dislikes other dogs or people, don’t take them to places where there will be lots of unfamiliar people and pets. Make sure that you avoid taking your happy dog to any place where they may get hurt or where they’ll encounter danger.
While walking your happy dog, try to avoid taking them on the same route every time. Dogs use all of their senses to learn about their surroundings and if they’re always walked on the same path, it won’t be as exciting for them.
If you’re not sure where to take your happy dog on their walks, check out the suggested routes offered by Where’s My Walk. You can use Where’s My Walk to track down nearby places to take happy dogs on walks, get more information about any place near you, and print out detailed reports of happy dog walks taken anywhere in the world!
You may add some doggy friends. Dogs are pack animals and they need companionship while they’re outside of the home. Try adding another happy dog to your family or taking your happy dog with you when you go for a walk/run/hike during the weekends. If one happy dog is good enough for making your life happy, two are even better!
2. Take Your Dog on a Hike
Dogs love to run and explore, and taking them on a hike is a great way for you both to get some exercise. Hiking trails are often wooded or natural areas, so there’s plenty of space for your dog to go off-leash and hunt bugs or chase scents.
Going out in the woods with your dog is also good because there aren’t typically as many other people around compared to city parks. This means that your dog won’t be overstimulated by lots of activity and loud noises while you’re trying to hang out together!
If you can’t take your dog on an extended hike, try going for a walk in your neighborhood at night when there aren’t as many cars on the road. This will be a much more relaxing experience for both of you.
3. Take Your Dog Swimming
Besides being happy and having fun when they are in the water, there are tons of benefits to allowing your pup to swim!
Just like with any workout, swimming is a great way to help your dog stay healthy and happy! Swimming can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; it is low impact and easy on joints. This makes it perfect for dogs that are older or overweight.
Swimming also builds muscle tone and helps keep your dog’s body slim and sleek! And because swimming is such an intensive exercise, you will notice their breath smelling better, paws staying cleaner (less mud tracked indoors), and them having more energy in general. Not to mention they will probably sleep like a rock when they get home – all this happy pup time takes work!
4. Play with your dog regularly
Playing is great for happy dogs because it helps them to release energy. It also helps them to bond with you, which can make you happy! Your happy dog enjoys playing games like fetch and tug-of-war too. When you play with your dog, make sure that you don’t play any game for longer than 15 minutes per day. Keep in mind that some happy dogs are really old or really young and they may not be able to play as much as others. If you’re worried about hurting your happy dog during a game of fetch, for example, stop the game before they get tired out.
If you don’t have a lot of time to play with your happy dog, consider hiring a dog walker or pet sitter. Or you could ask a friend or family member if they’d be happy to come over and spend some time with them while you’re at work or running errands.
5. Play a Game of Hiding and Seek
One of the best ways to make a dog happy is to spend some time playing with them. Playing is not only great exercise for your dog, but it also keeps their mind active. Pick one of their favorite toys and hide it around the house or behind furniture; then encourage them to find it. After they do, repeat this game again until you are both exhausted!
6. Teach Your Dog Some Fun New Tricks
Dogs love learning new things, and teaching them tricks is a great way to make sure they are happy. They also learn how happy they make their owners by getting lots of praise when they do something right! Good things for dogs include “sit,” “shake,” “rollover,” and many other fun tricks.
7. Give Your Dog a New Toy Every Once in a While
Dogs get bored and can get destructive when they don’t have any toys, so you should make sure to give them new ones every once in a while. Even an old squeaky toy will be happy if it’s been weeks since the last time your dog played with it! Make sure that you rotate through your dog’s toys often or else they might not want to play with them anymore.
8. Invest in a Few Good Chew Toys
Even the best-behaved dogs need something to keep their teeth and jaws busy and themselves happy. This is where we recommend investing in a good supply of chew toys that can give your best buddy the exercise he needs while diverting his attention from your prized possessions or new furniture.
9. Give a Dog Massage
Dogs love to be rubbed and patted. Here’s how you can make your favorite four-legged friend happy.
Prepare for the happy dog massage by locating all of the materials needed, including oils or lotions if you are using them. These are not required for this, but could add some extra comfort to your pet while you rub him down! Prepare an area away from any distractions, so your dog can be comfortable while you knead his muscles into shape. If he does not like to be touched in certain areas, avoid those spots until last when your happy dog is more relaxed.
10. Find a Vet You’re Comfortable With
Choosing a veterinarian can be more difficult than it seems. The first thing to do is research the available clinics in the area and what they specialize in. Are there any holistic vets or those specializing in their field? Next, call up the clinic and talk to someone working on staff; ask about their prices, how long they’ve been around and their current waiting times. Check the reviews online…
11. Make Some Homemade Treats for Your Dog
Making some dog treats for your furry friend is a fantastic way to show him how much he means to you.
Start by running over to the local pet store and picking up a copy of “The Big Book of Dog Treat Recipes”. It’s an amazing resource that has literally everything you need to know about making truly tasty treats for Fido. You can also save yourself some time by buying pre-made dough from the same store, but remember that the great thing about homemade treats is that they are super easy to make!
Making homemade treats for your dog is a great way to provide him with happy moments in addition to making him happy. By creating healthy snacks you can make happy moments of quality time together he will always remember. There are many benefits in making homemade dog treats; it gives you the opportunity to know what your dog is eating, ensure that no artificial flavors or preservatives are included (which may be harmful in small amounts), and it’s very cost-effective in comparison to ready-made treats.
12. Let Your Dog Cuddle With You When They Want To
It can be hard for dogs to sleep at night sometimes because they’re too happy and excited about life, so let them cuddle up next to you on the couch and cuddle back! It’ll only take a few happy moments for them to calm their excitement and be comfortable enough to sleep. If you have a big bed then it’s OK if your dog wants to sleep with you all night, but if you have a small bed or don’t have one at all, make sure to offer them happy moments on the couch so everyone can get a good night’s rest.
13. Give Your Dog Plenty of Attention Every Day
Dogs are natural pack animals and crave interaction with those around them. As such, it can be difficult to make a dog happy if you spend all day at work or never have time for playtime.
It can be hard to convince yourself that giving your pup happy moments is really worth your time when there are several other things going on in your life, but this is guaranteed to provide happy results! If you’re not home much throughout the day then consider rewarding him with a few minutes of happy attention in the morning before work and in the evening before bed. If you are home, spend happy moments with your dog throughout the day.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to make your dog happy and here we have outlined just a few suggestions, but the main thing to make a dog happy is through exercise and affection.
Dogs need both physical activity and plenty of love from their humans in order to be healthy, happy members of the family. Giving your pup enough time for walks or runs will keep them feeling good – while playing with them at home can help fill that “love” requirement!