Making sure your dog is happy and healthy is one of the most important parts of being a pet parent.
Certain behaviors — such as destroying or damaging furniture, chewing clothing, and eliminating around the house — can lead us to think we have to figure out how to deal with a badly behaved dog.
However, often these behaviors stem from boredom, which can set in when a dog doesn't get the physical or mental stimulation it needs to thrive.
Thankfully, there's so much you can do to give your dog's health and happiness a boost.
With that in mind, expert trainer and behaviorist Louise Glazebrook has shared a helpful post to Instagram outlining three simple things that will put a huge smile on your doggy's dial.
Let's take a look...
1. Take them on a new walk: "Too often we get into habits and it can be soooooo dull for our dogs to keep going to the same park," explains Glazebrook. "Today I just drove three minutes further to a different spot and my dog loved it."
As well as exploring new routes, there are lots of other clever ways to have more fun with your dog on walks, including playing games, incorporating obedience training, and doing scent work.
2. Let them chew: "Chewing is brilliant for our dogs and factoring in proper chew time is crucial," says Glazebrook. Not only does chewing give your dog's teeth a good workout, it also offer lots of mental stimulation and can reduce the likelihood that your pup will engage in destructive, boredom-driven behaviors.
Check out our guide to the longest lasting dog chews for inspiration.
3. Do something your dog loves: "Find 15 minutes to do something you know your dog adores," Glazebrook recommends. "It could be letting them roll in fox poo, jump in the lake or lay on the sofa spooning you!"
Giving our dogs choice where we can is vital for their physical and mental wellbeing, but Glazebrook says that the things we do with our dogs don't have to be big and extravagant.
"It's about the small things in your dog's life," she says.
Whether it's letting them sniff when you're out on a walk or giving them a toy to engage with, providing plenty of opportunities for your dog to engage their natural instincts will boost both their happiness and their health.
And if you're looking for ways to strengthen the bond you and your dog share, check out our guide to how to play with a dog where an expert vet reveals her top tips for a safe and fun bonding session with your fur friend.
