how to make your dog happy

Here are 8 ways to keep your dogs happy, and a happy dog equals a happy you. Just like kids, dogs also like new toys. Just like treats, new toys are a wonderful tool to have in learning to make a dog happy.    

Using toys and clever play helps build a dogs cognitive skills, something that will help make him or her happier, too. Teaching your dog a new trick is a good way to spend your time together, and in addition, you are providing a great deal of mental stimulation as well as tasty treats to your dog. Mix things up by taking your dog outside with new things to sniff, playing fetch as a dog, or trying out an elaborate trick.    

Treat-finding, like all nosework games, is a way to get dogs to tap into their natural nose skills in an entertaining, engaging manner. Through counterconditioning, you can use rewards such as treats to make dogs feel more positive about a visit from a veterinarian, a thunderstorm, or strangers. Showing your dogs affection through petting and grooming not only brings happiness, it will also cement your bond and bring you closer together.   

Feelings provide dogs with a huge dose of safety, as well as showing them you love them. You can keep your dogs happier by giving them a small task that they have to complete during the day. Making it a point to always provide your dog with a walk or a playtime -- even just a brief one -- at the same time each day is not only a great motivator for you; it may also benefit his state of mind.  If you want to know how to keep your dog happy, be sure she gets good, activity-filled, pleasant walks each day. You may be tempted to stop training your dog once he has learned the basics, but training is an entertaining way to keep your dogs mind engaged and challenged. For example, Bekoff mentions becoming literate with dogs as a key way to track and promote the well-being of your pet.   

Bekoff says he has seen it in dog owners who cannot distinguish dogs playing with each other from battling, and therefore intervene in the pets activities at inappropriate times. As for whether that kind of anticipatory behavior means dogs are capable of being as content beyond an individual moment as humans, Bekoff cannot offer a clear answer - but has a feeling. If you own a dog, you are (probably) already aware that they are capable of feeling emotions in a similar manner as humans.   

For more ideas, check out my guide on using puzzle toys to feed dogs. Dogs like hanging out with their humans, and they even enjoy playing games with their humans. Playing games with dogs is beneficial to animal welfare, and it is also a great way to reinforce your dog-you bond.

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