Monday, 22 September 2014

The Secret to Keeping Your Dog Happy

Your
dog brings you joy. Do you ever look over at her while she is sleeping and
wonder if you make her as happy as she makes you? Is she as glad to be yours as
you are to be hers? How do you know if your dog is content? All social species
have the same basic needs, just different ways those needs are fulfilled.

Physiological Needs

Clean water - The most basic and most vital need for
dogs is fresh clean water. Give your dog virtually unlimited access to water.
The only exception is limiting a few hours before bedtime when housetraining.
Keep water bowls clean and free of debris. Make sure outside water does not
freeze in winter or overheat in summer. Change water in outdoor containers
often. Stagnant water can lead to disease. It doesn't have to be Evian, but it
should be fresh! If your dog has a habit of knocking over her water bowl, it's
not because she doesn't want water. It's because dogs live in the right
now, and right now it's fun. It doesn't occur to her that later, she won't
have any water to drink. Weighted water bowls will solve this problem.

Good Nutrition - Ask a dozen people what dog food is the
best, you will get a dozen answers. The elusive Absolute Best Brand has not yet
revealed itself. However, there are better and worse choices. Feeding a quality
dog food means your dog will be healthier from the inside out - from a stronger
heart and bones to a shinier coat with less shedding and itching. The little
extra money spent on a better food is more than made up for in fewer Vet
visits. Nutritionally balanced dogs get sick much less often, fewer ear
infections, fewer outbreaks of worms, fewer UTIs, and even fewer injuries.
There is even evidence that better food makes for a better behaved dog, as
well! A quality dog food will have meat as at least the first 2 ingredients and
little or no corn as a filler. Dogs are primarily meat eaters. If your dog has
a dull coat and flaky skin, it could be her food!

In addition to the right type of food,
your dog also needs the right amount of food. This is a case where you can get
too much of a good thing. Being overweight causes health problems in dogs just
as in people. Since dogs have a shorter life span than humans, the ill affects
are even more severe for them. Overweight dogs are not happy
dogs. Lucky for them, it's much easier for them to follow a diet than it
is for us. We control their access to food. They can only eat as much as we
give them. Feed them a measured amount on a schedule, usually twice a
day, rather than free feeding. The dog food bag tells you how much to
give. Even that is too much for some dogs. Observe your dog's weight and adjust
the amount you feed her accordingly. A dog is at her ideal weight when you can
easily feel the ribs and can see the outline of the ribs when the dog turns
sideways. She is underweight if you can see the ribs easily, and overweight if
the ribs and hip bones are not easily felt and she has no waist.

Exercise - In addition to
proper nutrition, exercise is vital for good health. Not only will it increase
your dog's longevity, it will also decrease her unwanted behaviors. A dog's
energy has to go somewhere. If she doesn't get enough exercise, she may
find undesirable ways to expend that extra energy or even develop neuroses such
as obsessive spinning. Just as you should see your doctor before starting an
exercise program, so should your dog see hers! Some breeds need more exercise
than others, and some cannot tolerate intense activity. Be sure your dog's
exercise program is right for her breed.

Good Hygiene - It's true, dogs love to roll around in the stinkiest
thing they can find. They don't seem to mind being dirty or smelly. However,
for a dog's overall happiness, cleanliness is next to dogliness! Dogs may not
care how they smell, but people sure do. A smelly dog does not get petted by
people and generally isn't allowed in the house, and a dog shunned to the back
yard with little or no human contact is not a happy dog. Filthiness can also
lead to health problems. For example, dirty ears can lead to ear mites which
are itchy and can cause ear infections. Being too dirty can also be painful,
especially for a long-haired dog. Mats in a dog's fur pull on the skin and are
extremely uncomfortable. Nails that grow too long can cause a dog to walk
awkwardly and lead to problems in their joints and muscles. Keeping coats
brushed, ears cleaned, and nails trimmed is essential for a happy dog. Bathing
too often can lead to dry itchy skin. Dogs need a bath only when they start to
smell bad. If your dog is on a quality food, this won't be very often.

Chew Toys - Dogs have a physiological need to chew. This is especially true
for teething puppies. Providing them with safe chew toys will help them satisfy
this urge without having to gnaw on your coffee table. Thick rubber toys
like Kongs are a good option
because they will not break apart and become a choking or obstruction
hazard.

Elimination - Dogs need reliable and sufficient opportunity to
eliminate away from their sleeping area. Normal healthy dogs will not
eliminate where they eat and sleep. Dogs who do use the bathroom
in their dens do so because they have learned that they will not be given
sufficient opportunity to eliminate elsewhere. For optimal happiness, make sure
your dog doesn't have to hold it too long.

Shelter

In the wild, dogs are
able to seek out shelter when they need it to get out of the rain,
to shield themselves from the cold, or to find relief from the heat. In a
domestic environment, we keep them confined to a limited area. They don't have
the option to go out and look for adequate shelter. Therefore, it is up to us
to provide it. The ideal place for your dog when it's raining or cold is in the
home with you. Most dogs are happiest living inside with you. It's also the
easiest way to provide appropriate shelter. However, if your dog is one of the
few who prefer living outdoors, or bringing her inside is not an option, you
can make sure she is well-sheltered outdoors. Some breeds are simply not equipped to deal with
cold weather and should not be left outside in winter. This includes most of
the small breeds and the short-coated large breeds, such as Dobermans.
Remember, these are man-made dogs. Cropped coats and tiny dogs do not occur in
nature. Likewise, some breeds are not equipped to deal with the heat of SC
summers and should not be left outside in hot weather. This includes the arctic
breeds such as Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and St. Bernards. These
dogs living outdoors are not only unhappy dogs, they are also not
safe! They could literally die from the heat.

Security

Happy dogs feel safe
in their environment from threats either real or perceived. Dogs who live
confined outdoors but without a physical fence are not secure. Invisible fences
and chains may keep the dog in the yard, but they do not keep other animals
out. A dog living this way is a sitting duck. She is vulnerable to attacks from
coyotes, other dogs, and even mean people, and she has no way to escape. The
dog who lives this way is not a happy dog.

A happy dog trusts her owner to not put her in
harm's way. She knows exactly what is expected of her and what happens when she
doesn't follow the rules. She does not fear her owner because she knows he will
do her no harm. She is also not overly dependent on her owner because she feels
secure in being alone sometimes. A trained dog is a secure dog.

Social Needs

Dogs
are social animals who thrive on companionship with others. They are unique in
the animal world because they enjoy companionship with people as much as they
do with other dogs. A dog who lives in a backyard with only minimal human
contact is a lonely dog, like a hermit living on an isolated mountain. The
happy dog gets lots of ear scritches and belly rubs. She gets to associate with
lots of different people and dogs because she has been well-socialized and
trained in basic obedience and manners. She is a dog who can go anywhere,
and people are happy to see her.

Esteem Needs

Do dogs have a sense of self-esteem? If
you doubt it, just watch a dog who has accomplished a complicated task. See how
she holds her head high and struts! Dogs need to have confidence in themselves
and their ability to master tasks. Training a dog builds her self-esteem. It
makes them feel good to master the perfect Sit and earn your appreciation!
Learning tricks is fun for dogs. There are also all sorts of canine sports
available that dogs enjoy. Agility, flyball, ultimate frisbee, and lure
coursing are just some of the examples. A dog with a hobby is a fulfilled dog.

Cognitive Needs

Dogs are more than just instincts. They
also have the ability to think and problem solve. They need to experience more
than just the same old scenery of their own home. Mental stimulation leads to a
happy dog. Just walking a different path and letting her smell new smells
and see new sights provides mental stimulation. At home, puzzle toys like
the Buster
Cube let her put her brain to use. You can play games with her
like hiding and she has to find you, or hiding a treat that she has to find.
Learning new tricks also works her brain. Put her to work. Make her fetch the
paper (make sure it's safe first) or bring you a drink from the fridge. Yes,
working makes for a happy dog!

The Secret to Happiness

The
meaning of life is to live it. The secret to a happy dog is to help her live a
fulfilled life. That means she actively participates in it. She plays, goes
places, and does things. Basically, the secret to a happy dog is not much
different at all from the secret to a happy person.

About Me

I am the proud pet-parent to the ever loving Bear. Bear is a Northern Mutt who just happened to fall into my lap one cold October day. He was tiny and badly injured and for a while, there was a great deal of uncertainty as to whether or not he would survive to the end of the month. But survive he did. Bear has brought a great deal of love and happiness into my life. He is a wonderful companion and the most loving friend.