Dogs show us unconditional love. All they want in return is, you guessed it, love. Let’s show our canine companions how much we appreciate them by making them as happy as they make us.
- Take time to play – without your phone: Put the electronics down, sit on the floor and play with your dog for 10 to 15 minutes. Give them some undivided attention. Show them that they matter by playing a rough game of tug or an active game of fetch. Nothing will make your dog happier.
- Set a routine: Dogs love consistency, just as humans do. Most dogs don’t do well with transition or change, so having a set daily routine with walks and play time will keep them happy.
- Give them plenty of exercise: Just because you have a backyard doesn’t mean you should skimp on walks. Daily walks are very important for your dog’s mental and physical health. If you do take your dog out for a walk everyday, switch up the path from time to time – give your pup new smells and sights to experience!
- Make meals interesting: Wouldn’t you get bored of eating the same crunchy brown circles every. single. day? Throw some healthy meat in their bowl. Perhaps some delicious fruits and vegetables. Crumble some freeze tried treats over the top of their dinner. Do something to liven up meal time. They will love you for it it!
- Take them out of the house: Cabin fever. It can happen to humans, so why not take your dog out on adventures so they don’t stay cooped up in the house? Check for local dog friendly restaurants in your area, or take them with you to the local PetSmart or Petco. Going through the fast food drive thru? Let your dog jump in the car too so they can enjoy the car ride!
Do you do any or all of these things to keep your dogs happy?
Beth | Daily Dog Tag says
Great suggestions!
Beth | Daily Dog Tag says
Great suggestions!
Michelle Wolff says
I love the faces here!
Michelle Wolff says
I love the faces here!
bichonpawz says
These are really awesome suggestions!! My dogs thrive on routine and ALWAYS get cabin fever!! They love to get out and explore!! That’s the reason they love RVing with us so much!! Great post!! Congratulations on your Nose to Nose Award Nomination!!
Dog Mom Days says
Thank you so much! I take my kids out a lot too because they’d go nuts. I hope to get an RV one day so we can travel more consistently. Right now we have a vacation house in CA that we frequent, and Khloee and Wynston love the short 6 hour drive! (with plenty of potty breaks of course!)
bichonpawz says
These are really awesome suggestions!! My dogs thrive on routine and ALWAYS get cabin fever!! They love to get out and explore!! That’s the reason they love RVing with us so much!! Great post!! Congratulations on your Nose to Nose Award Nomination!!
Dog Mom Days says
Thank you so much! I take my kids out a lot too because they’d go nuts. I hope to get an RV one day so we can travel more consistently. Right now we have a vacation house in CA that we frequent, and Khloee and Wynston love the short 6 hour drive! (with plenty of potty breaks of course!)
PawesomeCats (@pawesomecats) says
Great ideas, and some of these work for cats too!
Dog Mom Days says
I agree! There is a lady who walks her cats in a stroller in my neighborhood. I love it!
PawesomeCats (@pawesomecats) says
Great ideas, and some of these work for cats too!
Dog Mom Days says
I agree! There is a lady who walks her cats in a stroller in my neighborhood. I love it!
bichonpawz says
Excellent suggestions! Thank you for sharing!!
bichonpawz says
Excellent suggestions! Thank you for sharing!!
Fur Everywhere says
Great tips! When Jewel was alive, I would take her places sometimes. I’m sure people walking by us would do a double take seeing a cat in a Subway or Walmart, LOL! She really enjoyed being out and about.
Dog Mom Days says
That’s amazing. I wish I could take my cats out. My Sadie might like it, but Joey would probably try and kill me the next day.
Fur Everywhere says
Great tips! When Jewel was alive, I would take her places sometimes. I’m sure people walking by us would do a double take seeing a cat in a Subway or Walmart, LOL! She really enjoyed being out and about.
Dog Mom Days says
That’s amazing. I wish I could take my cats out. My Sadie might like it, but Joey would probably try and kill me the next day.
Robin says
These are excellent tips. Keeping cats happy takes pretty much the same sorts of efforts. Our pets are so simple, we just have to try!
Robin says
These are excellent tips. Keeping cats happy takes pretty much the same sorts of efforts. Our pets are so simple, we just have to try!
It's Dog or Nothing says
Mauja and Atka are extremely ritualistic. They know what is supposed to happen and when. I can see it throw them off when something out of the norm happens : / I really like your tip about getting them out of the house. It’s hard to get out when it’s -20 here in Montana, so we try to make trips to dog friendly stores or Nick brings them along when he picks me up from work 🙂
It's Dog or Nothing says
Mauja and Atka are extremely ritualistic. They know what is supposed to happen and when. I can see it throw them off when something out of the norm happens : / I really like your tip about getting them out of the house. It’s hard to get out when it’s -20 here in Montana, so we try to make trips to dog friendly stores or Nick brings them along when he picks me up from work 🙂
amyshojai says
Great tips! I’m guilty of always having the phone…and have now made it a “rule” that when Magic and I go for walks or to play outside, the phone stays in my pocket (emergency only). I see soooo much more and enjoy the time with him more when we actually connect. It’s a ‘DUH’ moment! *s*
Dog Mom Days says
See, I’m the same way – but I always have my phone to take pictures of Wynston BOL! However, we have one play session a day where I don’t have it.
amyshojai says
Great tips! I’m guilty of always having the phone…and have now made it a “rule” that when Magic and I go for walks or to play outside, the phone stays in my pocket (emergency only). I see soooo much more and enjoy the time with him more when we actually connect. It’s a ‘DUH’ moment! *s*
Dog Mom Days says
See, I’m the same way – but I always have my phone to take pictures of Wynston BOL! However, we have one play session a day where I don’t have it.
Kendall | Lucky Dog (@luckydogYYC) says
Nice article 🙂 Consistency is important, but I do love taking Jackson to the dog park on weekends – we can just unplug and enjoy nature together.
Dog Mom Days says
Absolutely. Yesterday when I took Khloee and Wynston to the park, there were a few minutes where we just sat next to each other in the sun and enjoyed the moment 🙂
Kendall | Lucky Dog (@luckydogYYC) says
Nice article 🙂 Consistency is important, but I do love taking Jackson to the dog park on weekends – we can just unplug and enjoy nature together.
Dog Mom Days says
Absolutely. Yesterday when I took Khloee and Wynston to the park, there were a few minutes where we just sat next to each other in the sun and enjoyed the moment 🙂
Jana Rade says
Good lists. Dogs love routine and they need all the rest. Cookie, for example, needs 3 hours of some type of activity daily. If she doesn’t get that, she becomes a pest. Give your dog what they need, get what you want – calm happy dog.
Jana Rade says
Good lists. Dogs love routine and they need all the rest. Cookie, for example, needs 3 hours of some type of activity daily. If she doesn’t get that, she becomes a pest. Give your dog what they need, get what you want – calm happy dog.
Carol Bryant says
Amen on taking them out of the house for sure!
Carol Bryant says
Amen on taking them out of the house for sure!
Kia says
Love the tips 🙂 Cute pictures too! Gotta keep those cuties happy for sure!
Kia says
Love the tips 🙂 Cute pictures too! Gotta keep those cuties happy for sure!
Jen Jelly says
I love all of these tips – and I see #1 being broken a lot. Dogs can tell when you’re into playing or not, it makes a huge difference to them. Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit lazy I think to myself “Who waits for me – everyday – with a wagging tail when I come home?” and since the answer is always my dog it makes me realize that we are their life, we control when the fun begins & ends. It’s finally above 30 degrees today so we’ll be spending much more time outdoors from now on 🙂
Jen Jelly says
I love all of these tips – and I see #1 being broken a lot. Dogs can tell when you’re into playing or not, it makes a huge difference to them. Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit lazy I think to myself “Who waits for me – everyday – with a wagging tail when I come home?” and since the answer is always my dog it makes me realize that we are their life, we control when the fun begins & ends. It’s finally above 30 degrees today so we’ll be spending much more time outdoors from now on 🙂
Dog Mom Days says
I think all of us are guilty of breaking #1 at one point or another. Since I’m always taking photos of Wynston with his toys, I make sure to have at least 1 or 2 sessions a day where I don’t take pictures of him so he has all of my attention!
Dog Mom Days says
I think all of us are guilty of breaking #1 at one point or another. Since I’m always taking photos of Wynston with his toys, I make sure to have at least 1 or 2 sessions a day where I don’t take pictures of him so he has all of my attention!
MattieDog says
Well, I haz to say – reading your blog is now on my list of things that make me happy! Great article – thanks for writing it!
MattieDog says
Well, I haz to say – reading your blog is now on my list of things that make me happy! Great article – thanks for writing it!
MattieDog says
I must say dat reading your blog is now officially one of da things dat makes me happy! Thanks for writing dis pawesome post!
Dog Mom Days says
You are so sweet!!
MattieDog says
I must say dat reading your blog is now officially one of da things dat makes me happy! Thanks for writing dis pawesome post!
Dog Mom Days says
You are so sweet!!
Jodi Jarvis-Therrian says
I agree <3 <3 "We are put on this earth to care for our dogs " and kitties too !!! Besides doing things with our dogs is what life is all about <3
Thanks for the good read <3
Doggie and kitty kisses
Jodi Odin and Raven from Furry Philosophy
Jodi Jarvis-Therrian says
I agree <3 <3 "We are put on this earth to care for our dogs " and kitties too !!! Besides doing things with our dogs is what life is all about <3
Thanks for the good read <3
Doggie and kitty kisses
Jodi Odin and Raven from Furry Philosophy
Spencer the Goldendoodle says
Great post! With spring just around the corner, I’m itching for warmer weather.
Your Fluffy Pal, Spencer the Goldendoodle
Spencer the Goldendoodle says
Great post! With spring just around the corner, I’m itching for warmer weather.
Your Fluffy Pal, Spencer the Goldendoodle
mykidhaspawsblog says
When I get home from work, I always remind myself of the saying, “You have work, school, friends, etc….and they only have you”. It reminds me that although I have been busy all day, Rooney has been waiting for me to come home all day, and I need to play with him and show him love! So I do 🙂
mykidhaspawsblog says
When I get home from work, I always remind myself of the saying, “You have work, school, friends, etc….and they only have you”. It reminds me that although I have been busy all day, Rooney has been waiting for me to come home all day, and I need to play with him and show him love! So I do 🙂
dawn rae says
Excellent advice. I do all of those things and still am barely able to keep Willy busy enough. Busy dog is a happy dog.
dawn rae says
Excellent advice. I do all of those things and still am barely able to keep Willy busy enough. Busy dog is a happy dog.