Whether You Realize It or Not, You Just Might Be Dampening Your Dog’s Spirit!

  Posted on January 20, 2015  by Joy of Living  No comments

Bolt, the Yorkie-Poo guest blogger, showing you ways you just might be crushing your dog’s spirit:

I am a lucky dog! My humans treat me like royalty while still setting respectable boundaries. They love me. They feed me well. They play with me. And they make sure I am happy, entertained and comfortable. Rarely, if ever, do I have a day where I feel neglected.

What about your pet? Are you doing anything that might dampen his spirits? Take note of the following information and see how you might be able to add some sunshine back into your dog’s day!

Get him outside! Let him run around the yard. Play fetch with him. Better yet…take him to the dog park. Dogs need to get out and play…and it is even better for them when you come along for the fun!

Don’t disturb your dog when he is eating. Just because you can take his food away when he is eating doesn’t mean you should. If you establish clear boundaries in the beginning as to who the alpha is, you don’t need to bully him by momentarily taking his food away while he is eating. This is not the way to prove your alpha status. It is mean.

Putting your dog in a crate as a means of punishment is wrong. Crate training is an excellent tool for your dog, but it should be a place of warmth and comfort, not fear and anxiety.

Do you constantly yell at your dog? This only serves to stress him out and does nothing in terms of behavior change. Besides, he doesn’t even understand what you are saying.

Do you leave your pet alone for long periods of time? If so, it is a wise idea to find a reliable dog walker, pet sitter or doggy day care to tend to your pet in your absence. Loneliness and depression are not good co-companions for your dog. This will not only make him unhappy, but also unhealthy.

(Thanks to the ilovedogssite.com for this helpful information!)