How To Have A Happy Dog

Dogs are highly intelligent animals, which is why it is so important to try to keep them mentally stimulated. Bored, unmotivated dogs (particularly working breeds such as the Border Collie or Bearded Collie) will tend to compensate for lack of stimulation by developing their own forms of amusement – many of which are unacceptable to their owners.

An unhappy, understimulated dog may sleep excessively, chew furniture and clothing, whine and bark constantly, chase traffic or livestock, self-harm, pace up and down, exhibit aggression or become over-dependent on his owner.

Do not punish

If your dog shows destructive tendencies or other unwanted behavior, never resort to physical punishment. Shouting or hitting a dog rewards attention-seeking behavior with negative attention, and should be avoided. Try to discover the reason why he is doing something and then take steps to manage and rectify the behavior. In addition, always check with your vet to ensure that there is no underlying physical cause for your dog’s behavior.

12 ways to a happier dog

There are many ways to keep a dog mentally stimulated that don’t involve a huge time commitment: just a few minutes every day will make a huge difference to your dog’s outlook on life. The key is to introduce variety and mental challenges that he will enjoy tackling. Your reward will be a dog that is happier and more alert, and a pleasure to own.

1. Consider a new activity such as agility training or heelwork to music.
2. Try showing him in the fun classes at dog shows, such as the dog with the waggiest tail or best biscuit eater!
3. Teach him some new tricks, such as rollovers or high fives.
4. Enrol in an advanced dog training class.
5. Give your dog’s toys names and teach them to him. Make a game out of asking him to fetch them for you one at a time.
6. Encourage him to think for himself with a new training method, such as clicker training.
7. Make sure of interactive toys that are filled with food and dispense treats as they are moved around during play.
8. Hide treats in the house and garden and encourage your dog to find them.
9. Involve him in family life, such as taking him to the beach or on a picnic.
10. Vary the route of your walks and research new ones for you to enjoy.
11. If your dog enjoys swimming in summer, take him for walks near water or treat him to some hydrotherapy sessions.
12. Go for walks with other dog owners so that your dog has plenty of social contact.

TOY TIPS Give your dog some ‘occupational therapy’ with a variety of toys of different shapes, types and textures. Choose toys than can safely be thrown, chewed or played with, and some that can be shared with you. Keep one or two toys that your dog particularly enjoys as ‘special treats’ and use them as rewards for good behavior. Avoid throwing sticks (as splinters may catch in his throat) or small stones (which he may swallow or inhale).

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 at 8:17 am and is filed under What Makes Dogs Happy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.