How to make a dog happy: a professional’s tips

You might have noticed - it’s the season of pet happiness here at TrustedHQ (which is like any other day for pet lovers like us - let’s face it). And what better way to celebrate our furry friends than to get clued-up on what makes them happy? 

Well here we’re sharing a few top tips on achieving canine contentment for pet parents and sitters alike, plus we’re joined by Scott Salant - Dog Manager and Lead Behavior Specialist at Paws Crossed, for his expert thoughts on how to make a dog happy.

Before we hand over to Scott, here are a few tips of our own that we’ve picked up along the way…

How to make a dog happy

1:1 time

As pet parents, we lead busy lives, but it’s vital that anyone thinking about welcoming a dog has time for a new canine. Walkies, vet trips and training aside, canine companions need bonding time with us. 

Whether it’s a doggie massage, sofa snuggles or a day out planned around the two of you, dogs love to spend time with their favorite human, and it boosts their happiness by a mile. 

Reduce anxiety and boredom

If you’re lucky enough to have been a pet parent in the past, you’ll know that our canine companions can be prone to anxiety and boredom. Creating a healthy attachment between the two of you and providing things for your pup to do while you’re out (chew toys, ahem), will avoid any unwanted behaviors. 

And whether it’s moving house with a dog, or you’re starting a new job, there are heaps of things you can do to curb canine anxiety, including checking out playlists for dogs, desensitization training and positive reinforcement.

Desensitization

It’s one thing giving your pooch your time and enjoyable activities to get their canines into, but it’s important for your dog to get used to day-to-day musts. These include situations where they might need to be left alone, trips to the vet (explore why dogs hate the vet for more on this), and car journeys. 

Desensitizing your pooch to these situations and providing positive reinforcement when the time is right will make them a whole lot happier in the long run.

Provide physical and mental stimulation

It’s no secret that dogs are intelligent creatures - so it’s also no surprise that anyone wondering how to make a dog happy should be getting clued-up on how to keep those canine minds busy. 

To keep a pup happy and healthy, you’ll need to provide your dog with physical exercise (playing fetch, walkies and hide and seek are great).

Along with their physical health, making sure you’re activating those canine brains is vital for a happy dog - explore our tips for a mentally-stimulated dog for more.

Other pets and children

Welcoming children into your home is part of life for many pet parents, and having new furry family members on the scene is totally normal. But if you’re wondering how to keep your dog happy, you’ll need to get clued-up on how to introduce dogs to each other, and how to introduce a cat to a dog once you’ve decided that a new pet is right for your pack.

And if it’s dogs and babies in your life that you’re considering, consider how you’ll introduce the two carefully, with both their health and happiness as a priority.

Know the signs of a down dog

Dogs are generally joyful bundles of fur, so when they seem down, it can come as a real shock to pet parents. Explore our blogs that tackle seasonal depression in dogs and the common question from pet parents - do dogs get sad?

Train your dog

Last but not least - train. your. dog! A trained dog is a happy dog, so start as early as you can and remember, it’s never too late. A good training regime keeps your dog physically and mentally stimulated, plus, it curbs anxiety and prevents any unwanted behaviors - winner!

Now that we’ve put in our two cents on how to make a dog happy, let’s see what expert - Scott Salant - has to say…

Handing over to Scott…

“Every dog, just like people, is unique, and what makes them happy is unique to them. However, there are some common things that all dogs need to be happy. 

First, you want to make sure they feel safe and secure. Providing them with a clean environment where they can feel relaxed and comfortable, away from loud noises and other sources of fear, goes a long way in creating that feeling of safety. 

Then, you want to ensure that the dog's physical needs are met. This means making sure they receive a proper diet and that their nutritional needs are met, ensuring they are healthy and pain-free through regular veterinary check-ups, and getting enough daily exercise tailored to each individual dog. 

Now that our dogs are feeling safe and their physical needs are being met, we can focus our attention on the mental and emotional side of things. Providing daily enrichment through activities like walks, positive reinforcement training, nose work, Kongs, and puzzle games helps to give our dogs lots of mental stimulation and keep their minds sharp. Training and other forms of enrichment have many benefits for your dog:

• Reduces stress and frustration by providing a feeling of fulfillment 
• Reduces boredom-related behavior problems by increasing focus and concentration
• Prevents onset of behavioral issues due to confinement
• Stimulates and assists in brain growth
• Increases intelligence and problem-solving abilities
• Builds confidence and social skills
• Helps with weight loss (having to work for their food)
• Creates a more balanced and happier dog through socialization 
• Builds stronger bonds through interactive play
• Protects against age-associated cognitive decline and dementia

Don't forget that part of making our dogs feel happy is spending time with people they trust. Taking time to pet and cuddle with our dogs is also important for making a dog happy and further building the bond between us and our dogs. Giving them love and attention goes a long way toward having the happiest dog!”

Is my dog happy?

Ever wanted to tap into your canine’s mind? Snap. Explore our blog as we tackle the question - is my dog happy - to determine whether your pooch is smiling on the inside.