Dog love, oh yes, ah, the season of love is in the air. For dogs, unconditional love is a year-round, 24/7/365 way of life. In fact, we love dogs so much, we coined the phrase, My Heart Beats Dog.® If your heart goes pitter patter for dogs, especially for your dog, then you’ll want to sit, stay, and keep reading. Here are 20 ways to show your dog love year-round:
PLAY TIME
20. Dogs need year round play and that means dogs of all ages and sizes. To a dog, play and attention are equal to love. Keep in mind your dog’s overall health and get veterinary clearance before starting any new exercise program. That said, there are many ways to keep a dog active and playing year-round, especially in the cabin fever-inducing winter months.
CLICK THIS: ====> 8 Ways to Keep a Dog Active Year-Round
CANINE KINDNESS TO OTHERS
19. Introduce your dogs to others at a young age. If your dog is older, consider talking to a positive reinforcement animal behaviorist.
CLICK THIS: ===> How to Add a Baby to a Dog Household
MASSAGE MOMENTS
18. Give your dog a touch test but disguise it as a massage. The next time you sit down to pet your dog, consider these 10 touches below that just might save your dog’s life. If you are a parent to a dog who rolls over for tummy rubs, well, you are putty in their paws.
CLICK THIS: ====> 10 Touches to Save a Dog’s Life
TALK TO YOUR DOG
17. Tell your dog you love them. If your dog is deaf, sign it.
CLICK THIS: ====> The Post for Anyone Who Talks to Their Dog
KNOW WHAT THEY EAT
16. We are what we eat and that applies to dogs, too. Do you know exactly what is going into your dog’s body and what the labels on pet food and treats mean? Show a dog you love them with a good, quality diet and a healthy weight.
CLICK THIS: ==== > Which Food Should I Feed My Dog?
CANINE CAR SAFETY
15. Going on road trips with a dog is a fun, bonding experience but not for the unprepared. I’ve learned quite a few things over the years, and here, coupled with some expert advice from fellow road warriors, are road tripping with a dog do’s and don’ts:
CLICK THIS ====> How to Go on Road Trips With a Dog
SAY NO TO DOGGIE BREATH
14. Keep those teeth and gums in tip top shape. Some dogs hate teeth brushing and there is an art to it: You need to adjust the brush and the technique according to the mouth size of the dog. If you aren’t doing something proactive to keep your dog’s teeth clean, I can nearly guarantee you that your dog will suffer for it. Some dogs hate teeth brushing, and if you have a dog like that, this article is especially for you.
CLICK THIS: ==== >10 Tips for Dogs Who Hate Teeth Brushing
KEEP YOUR DOG’S MIND YOUNG AND ACTIVE
13. No matter your dog’s age, keep them mentally happy and engaged. One of the greatest joys of being a dog parent is bonding with your dog. When I trained my dog in the different aspects of the Canine Good Citizen test, what a fun and enriching time we had. Even if you do not formally try for the test, the different aspects of training to be a canine good citizen help to create a human-animal bond for keeps.
CLICK THIS: ==== > How To Train Your Dog to Pass the CGC
A CLEAN DOG IS A HAPPY DOG
12. Love and bath are both 4-letter words, and though many dogs cringe at the sound of the letters ‘B-A-T-H,’ keeping a dog clean has its health merits. Aside from the obvious, a clean dog means the skin is in good shape, the nails are properly trimmed, and any grooming is in order.
CLICK THIS: ====> Groom Your Dog At Home
HANDS ONLY FOR LOVE, NOT HITTING
11. One of the worst things you can do to a dog is to lay your hands on him or her to spank or hit. Putting your hand(s) on a dog as a form of punishment is not only wrong but as harmful to the relationship you want with your dog. Counterproductive in fact. If your hands are on your dog, they are to show and emit love. Period. Love love love and more love.
CLICK THIS: ====> How to Stop Someone from Hitting a Dog
Lay hands on only to love – no hitting
SLEEPY HEAD
10. Is there anything more glorious than curling up with your dog for a nap? Dogs who sit on your couch and/or want to get on the bed and snooze with you are not trying to rule your life. On the contrary: They simply want to be next to you! Read on for the scoop. (Note: Some dogs aren’t into cuddling or sharing a bed, so never “make” a dog do so.)
CLICK THIS: ===> Should My Dog Sleep In Bed With Me?
EXPLORE NEW PLACES TOGETHER
9. One of my most favorite things to do with a dog is travel together. I have traveled with my family, pooch included, from sea to shining sea several times, and the memories are for a lifetime. Of course, we can’t just blurt that out without some insider’s info on dog travel.
CLICK THIS: ===> Five Hidden Secrets of Dog Friendly Travel
PICNIC WITH YOUR DOG
8. A dog-friendly picnic (indoors or outdoors) can be so much fun! Don’t forget to pack the dog-safe bug repellent, blanket, and plenty of fresh, clean, cool water. Even better, fill your spring with dog-friendly activities:
CLICK THIS: ===> Spring Fling Dog Activities
EXERCISE TOGETHER
7. My dog hates to exercise. I have a lazy dog who doesn’t want to move or go for walks. Why won’t my dog play with me anymore?
If you’ve said (or thought) any of the above, this information is for you. Sometimes dogs aren’t lazy: It’s us pet parents who aren’t engaging our dogs and motivating them to do things, have fun, and enjoy their time on earth. Here’s how to exercise a lazy dog:
CLICK THIS: ===> How to Exercise a Lazy Dog
BONUS: I lost 40 pounds by gaining 25. With the help of my Cocker Spaniel, shedding unwanted pounds and staying in shape proved to be a win-win for both me and my dog.
Though humans can make food choices and monitor their indulgences, dogs depend on you to monitor their waistline. Here’s how to get and stay in shape with the help of your dog. First and foremost, always get human and canine medical clearance before embarking on any workout routine.
CLICK THIS: ===> Here Are 5 Easy Ways to Exercise With Your Dog
PREVENT BITES AND TEACH KIDS RESPECT AROUND DOGS
6. Preventing a dog from biting and knowing what to look for in terms of signs of an impending bite are keys to being a pet parent, which means love. Children in the household should be taught how to behave around a dog, with no yelling, slapping, etc.
CLICK THIS: ===> Nine Ways to Prevent Dog Bites
STORE DOG FOOD AND DOG TREATS PROPERLY
5. There is a right and a wrong way to store dog food and dog treats. You never want to unwittingly feed a toxic substance to your dog or anything moldy or “not fresh.”
CLICK THIS: ===> 6 Tips for Storing Pet Food
PUT THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AWAY
4. I recall reading a nugget of dog trainer wisdom that says, “Spend at least 30 minutes twice a day bonding with your dog.” In those times (and this girl spends much more), put any electronic devices away. Have a no phone zone and give your dog the one-on-one attention he or she is longing for from you.
CLICK THIS: ===> Things to Do With Your Dog on a Rainy Day
RETAIL THERAPY
3. Shopping for things for your dog with your dog can be incredibly fun. This dog mom loves to have “Mommy and Me” nights with her dog, where we take in the latest offerings at stores like PetSmart and we have a fun time playing with our haul once home. Besides the typical retail pet supply stores that allow dogs, there are other pet-friendly outlets and stores that welcome dogs.
CLICK THIS: ===> 20 Pet Friendly Places Your Dog Must Visit (note: Arlington National Cemetery is no longer pet welcoming)
REGULAR VET VISITS
2. The gift of good health is one that repays itself time and again. Dogs cannot make appointments themselves, so they depend on us, their guardians and caretakers, to seek regular veterinary care. Wellness visits, with even twice yearly visits, are key as your dog ages. It’s easier to fix a potential problem (and likely less expensive) before it turns into something huge.
CLICK THIS: ===> How to Find a Good Veterinarian
SMOOCH YOUR POOCH
1.Be a kind person. Talk nicely, be giving, forgiving, and know that dogs do not have a spiteful bone in their loving bodies. Smooch your pooch if he or she is accepting of them, and show the love. Their lives are short, a mere flicker, and you’ll thank yourself later for a life well lived and well loved with your dog.
CLICK THIS: === > Can Dogs Fall in Love With Other Dogs?
QUESTION: How do you show your dog they are loved? Bark at us in the comments below.
The post 20 Ways To Show Your Dog Love appeared first on Fidose of Reality.