How to Keep Your Dog Happy

Co-authored by Jessica Powell

Last Updated: October 22, 2022 References Approved

Mental Enrichment

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Physical Care

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Breed-Specific Tips

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

A dog, also known as human's best friend, is happiest when he's healthy. Ensuring your dog's physical and mental well-being means keeping him stimulated, even when you are not home. Spending time with your pup and providing him with a healthy lifestyle is key to your dog's fulfillment.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Mental Enrichment

1
Give your pup a job for when you're gone and he is left alone. Dogs are bred for a specific purpose, whether it be herding or hunting, and can misbehave when these natural instincts are suppressed. ^{[1]
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- Create an obstacle course in which your dog follows a scent to his favorite treats.
- Provide him with food puzzle toys, like Kongs, to stimulate his mind.
- Leave him with plenty of chew toys. These will not only strengthen his jaw and teeth, but also keep him from chewing up your shoes instead.
- Hire a dog walker or someone to play with your pet while you’re away.
- Dogs that are bored are more likely to be destructive, so giving your pup things to do when you're not around will help prevent bad behavior.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Indigo Will
  Professional Canine Expert
  Expert Interview. 8 September 2020.}
2
Socialize your furry friend.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jessica Powell
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 5 October 2021.}^{[4]
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Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.} Keeping him isolated or at home all day can be detrimental to his emotional well-being and create fear when he finally does come in contact with other people or dogs. But always remember to take your pup’s personality into account so you know what his limits for socializing are. ^{[5]
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- Take your dog on a walk, to the dog park, or set up play dates with other humans and their dogs. The goal is to get your dog used to being around other dogs.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Indigo Will
  Professional Canine Expert
  Expert Interview. 8 September 2020.}
- Have a friend, whom your dog knows and trusts, look after your pet once a week to get him used to other people.
- If your dog has a cautious demeanor, introduce him to one dog at a time, and only if the other dog is calm and won't frighten your pup. ^{[7]
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3
Train your dog.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Jessica Powell
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 5 October 2021.} This will not only increase his mental stimulation, but also strengthen the bond between you and your pooch by making your expectations for him clear.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.} If you aren’t sure what training would benefit your dog most, contact a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. ^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
4
Establish yourself as pack leader and never waiver. It’s important to show your dog love and affection, but he is a tribal animal above all else. Your pooch will become confused without structure and consistency in his life, so be sure you stick to your role. ^{[11]
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- Playtime is only for when he is calm and receptive.
- Reward your pup with special treats when he has followed your directions.
- During walks your dog should be next to or behind you.
5
Remain calm and assertive around your dog. Never behave uneasy or anxious. Because you are the pack leader, these feelings are sure to rub off on your pet.
- Nervous animals are more likely to be aggressive. ^{[12]
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6
Maintain your dog’s confidence. Believe it or not, your pup does have self-esteem, and there are things that you, as his owner, can do to keep it up. Praise your dog when he has mastered a new trick, along with other accomplishments.
- Remember that your tone of voice is the key to communication with your pet; praise for him should sound different than a command^{[13]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Physical Care

1
Keep your pup active. Especially if he is alone all day, a dog needs exercise just like people do.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.}^{[15]
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Expert Source

Jessica Powell
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 5 October 2021.} Take your dog on a walk around the block or play a fun, interactive game with him. ^{[16]
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- Hide and seek will stimulate your pet’s mind and body.
- If you have a high-energy breed, your dog could benefit from an agility class, which may be offered through your local shelter.
- A puppy is especially precocious, so active games like tug-of-war and fetch will burn some energy and help to socialize him. ^{[17]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
- For an older dog with stiff joints, water activities are a safe, low impact source of exercise.
- If you have a small dog, consider finding a dog park that has specified areas where your pet can socialize with pup's his own size and temperament so you don't have to be skeptical of his safety.
2
Feed your dog a nourishing, balanced diet. An animal is happiest when he can exercise, and to do so, he must eat healthful food. What you feed your pooch depends on his age, energy level and potential allergies. Organic, grain free kibble is always best if you are going to go the commercial route. However, some veterinarians also swear by feeding dogs “people food”. Dog-approved people foods include:
- Raw, unsalted peanut butter
- Baby carrots
- Pumpkin
- Green beans
- Sliced apples
- Oatmeal ^{[18]
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3
Schedule regular veterinary appointments for your pet. The vet will provide an overall health screening, as well as any vaccinations your dog might need. It's best for puppies and older dogs to visit every six months, while once a year is adequate for adult dogs under the age of ten. ^{[19]
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- This visit can also help you determine methods for keeping your dog’s ears and teeth clean, along with any other hygiene concerns.
4
Ensure your dog’s safety at all times. This includes making sure he has an ID tag on him, a fenced yard that will keep him safe from potential predators, and plenty of shade and water if he’s outside during warm weather.
- Make sure your dog is securely fastened or confined during car trips and never let his head hang out of the window where he could be hit by airborne objects or thrown from the vehicle. ^{[20]
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- Unless your dog is extremely well trained, leashing him when outside the yard is important, especially if you’re in a high traffic area.
- Kids should always be supervised around a dog; young children should also never be allowed to hold a small dog as they can accidentally drop or injure him.^{[21]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
5
Give your pup regular massages. This will bring down his stress levels and soothe any joint pain he may be experiencing.
- A slow rub down that reaches the muscle, fat and bones can work wonders to calm a nervous dog.
- Daily massages can prolong the length and quality of your canine’s life.
- Rubbing your dog’s joints can prepare him for physical activity and help him to unwind directly after.^{[22]
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- Great Danes and Mastiffs are especially prone to arthritis, so aside from a daily massage, nutritional supplements can be considered to keep these breeds healthy and pain free. ^{[23]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Breed-Specific Tips

1
Be sure to brush, comb, and trim your Golden Retriever’s coat regularly. Your Golden is especially prone to allergies and matting of his thick coat. Keeping his fur clean will help his skin from getting itchy and also better serve as insulation during the hot summer and cold winter. ^{[24]
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- As a bonus, he won’t shed quite as much on your furniture.
- Pay special attention to the feathering of his tail and legs which can get tangled easily, causing your Golden discomfort.
2
Set aside at least two hours a day to give your Pit Bull attention. While this breed is known for his loyalty and devotion, he needs a lot of quality time with you so he doesn’t get bored and destructive. ^{[25]
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- The high-energy Pit Bull isn’t the type you can leave alone or put outside for the entire day.
- This athletic breed enjoys swimming, running, playing fetch or frisbee, along with most other sports.
- Because he is a social butterfly, a well-trained Pit Bull appreciates human interaction, including time with your friends, family and even strangers, so be sure to get him out of the house.^{[26]
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  Expert Source
  
  Osama Maghawri
  Professional Dog Trainer
  Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.}
3
Keep your Chihuahua warm in cold or wet weather. This must be taken seriously since the Chihuahua, like some other small breeds, has trouble regulating his own body temperature, and doesn’t have a large amount of insulating fur. ^{[27]
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- A Chihuahua is generally content to be cuddled up on his owners lap, both for affection and warmth.
- Investing in a sweater for your Chihuahua will help keep him from shivering when he's outside.
4
Be sure your terrier has toys with which to entertain himself, especially when left alone. While a terrier is a fairly independent dog, he does require a fair amount of exercise. This dog doesn't require your supervision all day as long as you give him the means to play safely on his own. ^{[28]
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- If your terrier is left with nothing to occupy himself, he may resort to digging or other destructive forms of entertainment.
- He is especially fond of other canine companionship and playtime can be beneficial for socializing terrier breeds.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I help my puppy with their separation anxiety?

Osama Maghawri
Professional Dog Trainer
Osama Maghawri is a Dog Trainer and Founder of OneStopK9, a dog training service in Miami, Florida. Osama utilizes balanced training methods to teach communication between owners and dogs. He specializes in basic obedience and behavioral issues such as resource guarding, fear-based aggression, and leash reactivity. Osama also helps owners understand the behaviors of their breed and how to continue training on their own in the future.

Osama Maghawri

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

I recommend using a crate. A lot of people don't realize that puppies should be sleeping about 85% of the day, very similar to babies. They need to be taking a lot of naps so that they do not get overstimulated. Keep them in the crate to nap for about 2-3 hours, then play with them, feed them, and let them use the bathroom. After engaging with them, encourage them to go back in the crate. When you follow that structure, you can prevent behaviors like separation anxiety from happening.
Question

What if my dog gets bored even if I give him attention?

Community Answer

Try to play one of his favorite games or give him one of his favorite toys. If he is still bored, you can make up a new game, or a give him new toy to play with. If your dog is still bored, he might just not feel like playing that day, or he might be sick. consider looking for signs of illness; if you suspect something, contact your vet.
Question

How can I keep my dog happy if she doesn't like toys?

Community Answer

Take her out for runs and walks, spend time in nature together, give her special treats and belly rubs and pet her while she lays next to you.