Dog parenting tips
1. Take a break (not a long one)
Your dog does not need an over-active schedule when it comes to exercise. If you don’t want your dog to have a stressful exercise routine, take some of their time off. Don't force the dog to do everything at once. A good dog requires more than that. Your dog needs to be able to relax and have some extra playtime. You can set up a few different play dates, and leave them for your dog to enjoy. Or you could give him a new toy each day, just try to keep things interesting. The key is not overusing your dog like you are overusing any child. Most children overuse toys or overindulge themselves in junk food at the end of every day. Even if dogs didn’t receive treats like kids or were not allowed treats during a certain time of the month, I still would go over to check on how much they had eaten that week. When you have your own little mini me, a small portion is ideal. And remember to reward them for doing well each day! Give them a treat when they are excited and see what will happen next. You can always add treats or a walk around the house later at night if you want to have someone take the lead. There is no limit as to how many walks that will go on together and, you can even do solo walks. Just make sure that they don't end up getting bored.
2. Get outside (at least some day every other week)
Dogs are hyper-social creatures. They love people! Whether it’s a family member or a friend dog, they are incredibly happy to be with another animal. So, get out there. Dogs often seek out human interaction. For example, my dog loves to walk the neighbor’s cat down the street. He doesn't bother looking for a way to approach her because she is in the middle of walking their pet through this area. Our neighbor’s neighbor has a tiny dog that lives across the street from us. It's adorable! But my best friend’s cat enjoys watching our dog while we are relaxing in front of the television, waiting for the show to start. Getting out to get fresh air and exercise is important. Even if you can't find anyone you think would be happy to let you hang around their house with a blanket next to you, grab the leash and your dog will happily follow along. If you happen to run into someone you know who is going for a stroll around their yard outside, you can always join them for a chat. Just make sure that whoever you see isn't a person. They will soon realize that there is nothing wrong with having a dog with them, just a friendly presence. Another great idea is to use crate training methods with your dog! If you want to crate train your dog and try making them pee on his crate, do it! Not only will he be happy about that, but so will he feel secure.
3. Try something very new and exciting
Your dog loves to explore and experience new things. Be creative, take your dog on a hike and find a nice place to settle down. If you are planning on taking your dog to the beach or just wanting to go for a weekend with her, then there are lots of places that will keep you company. Make sure that you plan out where you want to spend time with your furry baby. We used to just hike around town with two or three friends in a van all weekend. Now we have a huge dog house! Once you have got them out, put them back inside, lock the doors, and make sure to turn on TLC. That should give you time to rest for a little and, then you can bring them home to bed. All of these toys will help to teach your dog to be ready for whatever you will want them to act upon. They won't stop being curious after a 'couple' hours of being locked up in the house.
4. Create rules!
You have to set rules for yourself and for your dog. In order to be successful with this, you need to respect your dog. Set up boundaries and say when the rules apply. Rules are helpful when it comes to keeping them active, too. When you are out hiking, you are usually not talking to other humans, as they are too busy enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. So, when you get home, you don't want to disturb your dog with too much chatter as you have just seen the most amazing view. When you set boundaries, your dog will learn to respect you and want to please you. At first, it may come with a lot of whining, but eventually, you can expect some sort of obedience out of your house dog like a father would his kid. As a rule, you can also tell your dog when to fetch their toys, pick up their trash, etc. Make sure that these guidelines are written down and then follow them. Set limits and don’t forget them. Remember, dogs are wild animals and need to run free from their owners because of that. So, just remember to give them space and let your dog run free. Let your dog go inside. Make sure that you always return the empty house to get her afterwards. Teach your dog how to go and behave by following along with a couple of simple commands. This will help them be less stressed and happier. You have to make sure that they understand that they should listen to their owner, not talk to strangers. If your dog feels comfortable, they will understand you. But dogs can become so attached to their stuff that there is sometimes no room left for them on the floor. Think of ways to clean up leftovers, change the litter box, etc. Be kind and polite because your dog isn't used to having others constantly talking around them. Your dog will thank you for giving them these skills.
5. Control what you feed them.
It is easy to ignore the amount of food that your dog eats. They grow really bulky and should not be left alone without water and a snack. Feeds are needed for them for the energy to keep going during daily walks. So, make it a point to feed them right before they start to walk. Do not give them anything larger than half of their recommended size. After feeding them, make sure to brush them down all day to avoid damage. Don't forget about your dog if you try to rush them. Make sure they are properly hydrated and that they have extra water to drink as well. Always have supplies available so they aren't hungry. Go to the bathroom and fill up the bottle with water and your favorite flavor of ice cream. Keep a bowl with some water inside and a couple of glasses of frozen treats. Some foods have a high salt content, so make sure that your dog doesn't have access to those treats after a couple of hours. Remember not to leave them unattended, since they will run away when you leave them unsupervised. Also, pay attention to where your dog is when they are going upstairs. Be careful about their bedroom or hallway. Dogs need somewhere to come around in the middle of the night and have some peace. Don't neglect the stairs, the door, or even the ceiling. Keep them in a safe room and call the vet before leaving them anywhere unless they seem distressed. If your dog is a bit overweight, then you are most likely not moving enough and the excess weight is affecting how well they are feeling, so make sure that you get them checked.
6. Reward them, don't reward themselves.
I didn't say rewarding them for good behavior. Often I am rewarded for my dog's good behavior and how much they love me too, so I thought that was enough. But when my wife and I adopted our dog Shaggy, who is not the same as my other dog, the thing I learned for myself is how to control what I give them. My husband tried using barbies, such as Kong toys and things that bark at me or shout. These toys were fun and did it, but they really weren't rewarding. My goal was to get Shaggy to bark and come running towards me. I thought that might be easier than trying to find an actual dog toy. So that taught me to focus on getting him excited and wanting things around the house so, he runs around freely. Other than rewards though, they also need to enjoy themselves and be free at the moment if they want to do that, they just need to be in the company of their owner, which is why I use these types of games and puzzles for my dog. I can reward them with tasty treats at the end of every walk and when they finish a particular task as well. I do this because if they go home and, they have had a good day they will want to play and, they will want to get back out for some fun walks. Also, I have found that rewarding the pet can keep both pets interested in playing. So, rewarding them helps keep them entertained and energetic in other ways.
7. Train them.
Dogs are a totally different breed than cats. Most are extremely inquisitive and outgoing. They are extremely independent and will never stay in a box. They are super friendly creatures and, they will be excited to see people! So, to keep them happy, when you are out, you want to make sure that they get exercise. Of course, they can use a car or an e-bike. So do whatever makes them happy!
8. Provide them with toys that keep them physically occupied.
Dogs love to chew things. Many puppies don't like to chew their toys until they become adults. By providing them with some regular toys, you keep them busy and engaged. These toys can serve as distractions because they're always moving around. Plus, they can give your dog some entertainment. Dental scrabble toys with small sharp points that.
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