Your dog is your best friend. Forever loyal, your dog will chase away the mailman from your driveway, guard your house while you’re asleep, and show you love on a daily basis with a sloppy kiss and an outstretched paw. How many of your other friends do that? But how much of a friend are you to your dog? Yes, you feed him/her, take them out for walks, and buy them toys, but could you do more? Could you be more of a friend to your dog? Could you be a better dog owner?
Here are some of the ways you can up your game when caring for your four-legged friend.
Go for longer walks. We know you’re tired sometimes, and we realize you can’t always be bothered to take your dog further than the end of the street, but for their fitness level, as well as yours, consider taking them for longer walks than usual. And to spice up both of your lives, why not take the occasional day trip with the pooch, and drive somewhere that may be a more scenic place to walk around than your local neighborhood. You will both appreciate the change of scenery!
Understand your dog’s unique needs. Not all dogs are equal. Different breeds have different requirements. This is why you need to understand your dog so that you can train him or her the right way and ensure they get the right nutrients. If you take a look at how to train a pomeranian, you will see that this differs hugely from how to train a husky or a labrador. This is why it is critical that you get the right advice that is bespoke to your pup.
Spend more time in play. No matter how many toys you have bought your dog, their preferred option would be to have you as their play partner. Perhaps combining play with those longer walks you’re both going to go on, consider these outdoor games as a way to give you both a huge amount of fun when you’re out and about together.
Spice up your dog’s diet. Give your dog a break from his usual food once in a while by giving them something new. After all, you would get bored with eating the same foods day in and day out, so your dog would appreciate the variety too. Check with your vet and local pet store on the right foods (and amount) to feed your dog, and then give your hungry companion something extra within his weekly meal quota.
Improve your dog’s social life. Your dog doesn’t need much social company outside of what you give him, but if you’re out for huge chunks of the day, perhaps ask somebody to pop by once in a while to give your dog a little bit more company. And if you know any other dog owners in your neighborhood, perhaps arrange the occasional meetup so your dog can play with his own kind, while you enjoy a bit of social time with your own kind as well.
Do more to protect your dog’s health. Your dog would protect you in an instant, especially from that mailman we mentioned, as well as any wandering cats who dare pass by your premises. But are you doing the same? Ensure your house is danger free by using this guide from House Method, and be sure to book in a checkup at the vets. You love your dog, so the last thing you want is for them to fall ill. With the holidays coming they can get into a LOT of trouble. Especially if they decide to go crazy for Easter decor and eat chocolate (a big no-no). So, do all you can to preserve their health today.
It doesn’t take a lot to be a better friend to your dog, so follow our tips and do whatever else it takes to strengthen the bond in your relationship. And if you have any other advice for our dog-loving readers, let us know how you have shown loyalty to your faithful friend.
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