April 26th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

Let’s face it, most of us dog owners are potty about our pets, and we want them to be happy and fulfilled, as well as well behaved. So, how can we keep them happy and stimulated without spoiling them?

Here are 8 things you can do that will enrich your dog’s life, help bond them to you, and create a fantastic owner/pet relationship:

1. Overlook the bad, praise the good
   Shouting at a dog (and, God forbid, smacking them) for what you perceive as ‘bad’ behaviour is counter-productive as most unwanted behaviour, such as toileting in the house or being destructive is usually down to lack of training or boredom. Praising and rewarding desirable behaviour is much more effective as, ultimately, they really just want to please you. Allow them to make the link between the behaviour you want, and your positive response and it will be repeated.
    

2. Maintain praise and reward beyond puppy training
   We all know that rewards are a useful part of puppy training, but we can tend to ditch this once the puppy phase is over. Keep it going. For a start, training should always be continuous anyway, but consistent positive reinforcement will keep reminding them that they’re doing well. Remember, reward can be verbal or physical (a ‘well done' and an ear scratch for example), it doesn’t have to involve food treats.
    

3. Find their motivation
   Figuring out what means the most to them allows you to tailor your rewards to those that are most effective. Some are very food motivated, some love their toys, some enjoy the interactive game element (throwing a ball, tugging a rope with you), some just want your praise and attention. Figuring this out will take your training and bonding to the next level.

4. Mix up your walks
   Exercise can stimulate your dog both physically and mentally. They get as much reward from sniffing, dog socialising and exploring as they do from the physical exercise they’re getting. Maximise this by varying your routes regularly and changing the scenery to incorporate different environments eg woods, streams, fields, streets (plenty of smells), beaches etc.
    



5. Train them to be self-sufficient
   One thing that can really make your dog unhappy is separation anxiety. Dogs love your company so being alone can be difficult. It is beneficial for all dogs to learn to be on their own for periods of time – we all need to go out sometimes! Provide enrichments that they can do on their own such as doggy puzzles or games and build up time left alone gradually. Always give them lots of fuss and attention when you return.

6. Play games
   Dogs love to play and they love your company, so games are a great way to provide fun for them while also stimulating their brains, learning useful skills and behaviours, and forming a better bond with you. There are many games that will do all of the above and they may only take 10-15 minutes of your time. You can even tailor them to work on specific areas of development such as boundary training, social skills, or tricks.

7. Provide toys strategically
   Most dogs love toys but rather than giving them a huge basket of all manner of toys that they can access whenever they want, try providing just a few at a time and only at specific play times. This will give them a novelty value and make them seem more of a treat. Rotate the selection every few weeks to stop them from getting bored.
   

8. Don’t stress about dirt
   Generally speaking, dogs are dirty. They love jumping in the water, splashing in mud, and rolling in the smelliest substances they can find. We might find it disgusting but it is all part of their sensory experience. It’s better to develop strategies to deal with it (a handy towel, an outdoor hot water tap, a portable water sprayer etc) than to try and thwart their most primitive instincts. Just stock up on dog shampoo!