10 Easy Ways To Keep Your Dog Happy And Safe At Home
Introduction
Dogs in particular are very active animals who nearly always need to be entertained. Therefore, it might be challenging for parents to keep their dog happy and safe at home.
They spend the majority of their time at home, which over time can leave them bored. Additionally, pet parents are restricting their friends’ freedom to leave the house because of the numerous limitations everywhere brought on by the global pandemic.
The best part is that there are various ways for dog owners to hold their animals entertained and safe while they are at home. Continue reading to learn more.
Here are a few ideas to keep your pets entertained at home:
1. Consistent exercise
Regular exercise not only keeps pets completely occupied but is also beneficial to dog health. You and your friend can play fetch if you have a backyard.
Also, providing regular exercise for your pets is a great way to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated at home. Here are some suggestions for giving your dog regular physical activity:
- Do regular rounds around the block with your dog. They’ll get some fresh air and explore new areas, all while being exposed to new sights and smells.
- Take your dog outside and engage in some interactive playtime by playing games like fetch or tug-of-war. This will help to keep them cognitively and physically stimulated.
- Put your dog to good use by building an agility course in your yard. There may be jumps, tunnels, and weave poles involved.
- Start teaching your pet some basic commands or some fun tricks. This will serve to both challenge and satisfy their brains.
- You might enroll your pet in a training class or hire a professional trainer to help you train your pet.
- To keep your pet entertained and engaged, make him or her some food puzzle toys. Dogs need both mental and physical stimulation, and this will provide both.
- It’s a good idea to give your dogs something to do when you’re not around by giving them some exciting and engaging toys to play with.
When planning an exercise routine for your pet, keep in mind that various species have varied exercise requirements. To keep your dog happy and engaged at home, you should involve him in regular physical activity and cerebral games.
This enables them to acquire the minimal amount of movement needed for a healthy lifestyle each day. Additionally, it will help you maintain your fitness while you’re at it. So, if you think about it, it’s a win-win situation.
2. Giving belly rubs, kisses, and hugs
Dogs, in particular, adore belly rubs, embraces, and kisses. In addition to engrossing them, it always leaves them wanting more. Who enjoys all of them for just 5 minutes or so, so if you want to go with it, make sure it’s for a decent length of time.
Additionally, cuddles are included, which dogs adore. Here are some things to remember when petting your dog:
- When showing your dog affection, remember to do so on their terms. Some dogs thrive on being touched and hugged on the stomach, while others have distinct preferences. Pay attention to your dog’s actions and expressions to learn what it enjoys.
- Keep in mind how energetic your dog is. Tired or anxious dogs may not be in the mood for hugs. If they seem disinterested or uncomfortable, give them room.
- Maintain a steady flow of affection. Make sure you shower your dog with love and attention at set times every day. Dogs thrive on routine and predictability.
- Encourage your dog’s mental health by giving it something to think about. You can keep your dog happy and entertained by providing him with cerebral stimulation through training, playtime, and interactive toys.
- Get your dog out and about regularly. Exercising your dog on a regular basis can help him relax and get better sleep.
Keep in mind that your dog is an individual and may have certain requirements, so be sure to tailor your care to his or her own likes and dislikes.
3. A Wide range of toys
Any animal can become addicted to toys. The list of toys also includes the absurd-sounding squeaky toys. Get your friend’s favorite toy if you chance to know what it is.
They’ll be occupied and fascinated by it for a few days. When you notice your friend barely using the current toy, replace it with a brand-new one.
4. A secure environment
Because even dogs and cats occasionally require their own personal space, it’s critical to create a safe environment for your pet.
There are a number of options for making your home safe for your dog. The following are examples of some of the most efficient techniques:
- Putting up baby gates or dog gates might help keep your dog from exploring unapproved sections of the house.
- To prevent your dog from fleeing, you should close and lock any windows and doors.
- Providing a comfortable and secure sleeping area for your dog, such as a crate or a dog bed.
- Keeping dangerous things like cleaning products and medicines out of your dog’s reach.
- By teaching your dog to obey simple instructions like “come,” “stay,” and “heel,” you may better manage your dog’s behavior and ensure their safety.
- Doing what you can to prevent your dog from getting lost by giving it a microchip or putting identification tags on it.
- You should install pet- and child-proof locks and latches on all of your kitchen and bathroom cupboards, drawers, and closets.
By adhering to these guidelines, you will be able to provide your dog with a secure and comfortable home.
5. New commands and tricks
Teaching your friend new tricks or commands is a nice additional approach to keep them interested (as well as you).
Teach your friend the fundamental sit, come, go, and stay commands initially if they are unfamiliar with them. Additionally, they can be taught tricks like “shake paw.”
6. Feed your dog using a food-dispensing toy
Feeding your dog with a reward dispenser presents them with a novel task to solve and provides valuable mental stimulation beyond their regular mealtime.
Moreover, reducing undesirable habits like excessive barking and chewing by providing your dog with more mental activity throughout the day. Amazon has a wide selection of automatic food dispensers.
The Bob-A-Lot is my go-to reward dispensing device since it lasts a long time, can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and has a variable-size outlet for both treats and meals.
7. Have a hide-and-seek party with sweets
Game of “hide the goodies” is my all-time favorite with my dog. While she’s not looking, I conceal slices of carrot (or any other nutritious food) about the home.
After I’ve tucked them away, I tell her to “find the snacks” and watch as she runs off in a flurry of delight. Like other forms of nose exercises, such as sniff and find, find the goodies encourages dogs to use their innate smelling ability in a positive and rewarding setting.
8. Swim with your dog
Plan a trip to the beach or lake if your dog enjoys being in the water. As a low-impact form of exercise, swimming is ideal for senior dogs or those with joint problems like arthritis.
Take it easy and make sure your dog has a life jacket on before venturing into deep water if he or she isn’t a seasoned swimmer.
9. Change up your walking schedule
Walking the same road every day might grow boring, making it difficult to maintain a regular walking schedule. In order to keep myself enthusiastic about our daily dog walk, I like to switch up our route every so often.
You and your dog may go for a stroll in a new area, visit the nearby park, or you can just follow your dog wherever it may lead you.
10. Reduce the duration of training sessions
Although canines like expanding their knowledge, their focus only lasts so long. Too much time spent in training may be stressful for both you and your dog since the animal becomes bored and irritated.
Keeping dog training sessions short and sweet is one approach to make the experience more positive for your dog. Training your dog should not be done in one continuous 30 minute session, but rather in four or five shorter sessions.
As you can see, it may be really simple and enjoyable to keep your dog happy and safe at home. It is now time to begin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your dog’s health and happiness depend on your ability to provide a stable and secure environment for them at home. Your dog’s health and happiness may be ensured by following the ten simple steps suggested in this article, such as providing a safe and secure environment, giving it regular exercise, and feeding it a balanced diet.
Accidents and behavioral issues can be avoided with the use of frequent veterinary exams and training. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be able to provide a wonderful environment for your pet to flourish in. As a pet owner, one of your primary responsibilities is to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of your dog.