Having a pet is one of the most rewarding things that can happen to a person, there’s no doubt about that. If you conduct a survey among four-legged owners, the results will certainly confirm that for a large number of them it is difficult to imagine life before their furry companions. And it can’t be otherwise – our dear dogs give us their sincere, unconditional love, loyalty and are always by our side, no matter what. Do you reciprocate your pet?
• 1) You can only fall asleep peacefully when your dog is also around – comfortably settled in his bed.
• 2) All your family photos include your pet.
• 3) You only go on vacation to dog-friendly places and hotels.
• 4) You call the quadruped by diminutive names.
• 5) When you travel without your dog, you stop at pet stores to get him a “souvenir”.
• 6) Your dog has its own account on one of the social networks.
• 7) Pamper your pet with high-quality accessories and fun additions such as bow ties or bandanas.
• 8) You keep seeing your puppy on Skype or Facetime when you’re apart.
• 9) ou talk to your dog as if he/she were a person.
• 10) Say words like “walk” or “dinner” only when it’s time for the specific activities so the dog doesn’t get overly excited.
• 11) You don’t mind curling up on one side of your bed while the pet is contentedly stretched out on ¾ of it.
And in order to become an even more awesome owner in the eyes of your pet, we offer you several ways to make dog walks more fun.
All dog owners know that they should take their pets out at least twice a day, for a minimum of 30 minutes. Of course,
we all have times when going outside in the company of our four-legged friend is far from our most preferred activity. Doing the same thing every day inevitably gets boring, and the mandatory walk of your furry companion is no exception.
At the same time, however, we know that it is important to stick to the animal’s daily routine. We have good news for you – there is a way to combine the useful with the pleasant!
• Let your dog navigate you
An easy way to diversify your furry friend’s walk is to let him decide where to go. Instead of taking your standard route – let your pet navigate the direction and guide you. Of course, in most cases the animal will probably stick to the well-known path, but this game is a great way to give your four-legged friend a chance to show you what is interesting to him.
• Let your pet sniff around
Walks are primarily physical exercise, but they are also a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated.
Since most four-legged friends are at home all day while we’re at work, a walk is the only time of day they have a chance to explore the world outside. If you’re not a fan of stopping every two steps, schedule a few “sniff breaks” during your outing.
• Go to a nearby park
If a walk in your own neighborhood seems boring and tedious, why not go to a nearby park? Exploring new paths, smells and noises can be unexpectedly fun for your pet, and for you too! You can meet new friends with four legs, and this will have a good effect on the socialization of both of you.
• Invite a friend
When was the last time you invited a friend to go for a walk together? You will be surprised how much more fun and enjoyable a walk in the park can be if you communicate with a loved one in the meantime and share what happened to you “face to face” and not through social networks. As a bonus – the extra attention will make your pet happy too!
• Change the tempo
What pace do you keep while walking your dog? Are you a brisk walker, jogger, or fan of the slower, more pleasant moments outside? Try switching up your pace every now and then – it’s a really good and fun way to add some variety where speed is a key component.
• Add training
While walking your dog is a good time to make things a little more fun by adding a few quick exercises. You can repeat and reinforce basic commands – your pet has been proven to focus and keep his attention outside more easily if he has previously tired himself out.
• Get goodies as an incentive
You can try some fun games outside by bringing along some of your furry friend’s favorite treats. Throw them in the grass and have fun together until the animal finds them. Activities that involve nose work sharpen your furry companion’s natural abilities and instincts. In this way, on the one hand, you make the time outside more pleasant, and on the other hand, you offer the animal additional mental stimulation.
• Set goals and make a game out of it
Decided you need a little more physical activity this week? Or do you think there are places in your neighborhood that for one reason or another you haven’t yet had the chance to visit with your pet? The goals related to your dog’s daily walk can be the most varied, the only rule is to stick to them and always note your progress!
