8 ways to give your dog the best life possible

Giving your dog his best life isn’t always doing things that your dog will approve of. Sometimes, it means doing what’s best, like making a lazy dog exercise.

Giving your dog the best life possible is a worthy goal when you’re a dog owner. Different approaches work for different owners and their pets.

However, some ways work well across the board most of the time. This article focuses on them.

1. Feed them well so they’re stronger for longer

Dogs don’t always do well on a regular wet food diet or kibble alone. These typically contain far too many processed ingredients, carbohydrates, and sugars to be healthy for dogs.

Unless they’re extremely active every day, this can easily cause them to put on weight and have dietary-related health issues later in life, too.

A raw dog food diet is much healthier. Companies like Bella and Duke make top-quality dried or frozen food for puppies and adult dogs that deliver the necessary protein, offal, vegetables, fruit, and other ingredients for a balanced diet.

This is far better for your pet than the low nutritional value of high-carbohydrate pet food, which doesn’t support their wellness over the years (especially when they’re young).

Raw dog food can be delivered straight to your door, as fresh as when prepared. Select the food that best suits your dog’s requirements.

2. Remember your love of play from childhood

When you were a child, you probably loved to run around on the playground or in the street with your friends, tearing it up, having fun, and laughing a lot.

With a dog, their sense of fun and wanting to play never ceases to amaze those who witness it. They don’t have the same worries or stress humans do, and it shows.

Subsequently, they remind us that we’re all too serious, with too much work and not enough play.

Having a dog is a great excuse to run around, be silly, and re-engage with your childhood.

The playful side of your personality, which you’ve probably forgotten all about in favor of “Netflix ‘n’ Chill,” reemerges. Take advantage of the fact that you have a dog and every excuse to be playful again.

3. Don’t skip the vet visits even when they dislike them

Every dog needs to maintain a regular schedule of visits to the vet.

Initial checkups and follow-up visits

This starts with initial checkups and inoculations and then leads to various scans and the odd medication when required. The sooner your dog gets used to vet visits, the better.

Getting your dog microchipped

Every dog should get a microchip when it reaches the right age so it can be registered properly. The dog microchip is roughly the size of a grain of rice and holds an identification number. It is placed under your dog’s skin (typically near the shoulder). This helps shelters or vets identify your dog if it gets lost.

In addition to microchipping, it is crucial to have a plan for emergencies. Having 24/7 emergency help can address your dog’s urgent needs. This service can provide peace of mind, knowing that professional assistance is available around the clock for any unexpected situations that may arise.

In the United States, having your dog chipped is not currently a legal requirement, but it is advised.

In the United Kingdom, the law states that all dogs must be chipped at eight weeks or older.

Other countries have different laws about microchipping dogs. It’s worth knowing that when traveling to a foreign country with your dog, a microchip is usually a requirement, along with their pet passport.

Ensure your dog can be found if it gets lost in the park or jumps over the garden fence. Not everyone in the neighborhood will recognize your dog, either.

While small pet trackers now use GPS to locate a beloved pet, this shouldn’t replace a microchip.

4. Exercise is necessary

Your dog must get enough exercise. It’s good for their heart and cardiovascular health in much the same way as it is for humans. It’s also a great way to get you out on hiking trails or to local parks, enjoying the fresh air and physical activity.

There are few things dogs love as much as running around in nature. Some breeds are natural hunters, and others have performed working roles. However, every breed of dog needs to get some exercise, no matter how small it is!

A dog will naturally slow down as it gets older. It’s common for senior dogs to develop arthritis or have problems with their knees, which can impact their level of daily physical activity.

However, unless instructed by their vet or the dog is refusing to exercise as they once did, it’s still beneficial for dogs of all ages to be encouraged to fit some movement into their day. A raw diet can help delay or even prevent these inflammatory conditions.

5. Address boredom early and often

Dogs get bored quickly. Some breeds are naturally smarter and require being kept mentally occupied more than others.

Boredom is the enemy of every dog. They like to move around, wag their tails, and get involved. They’re naturally inquisitive, wanting to sniff everything and learn what they can about who’s been in this place recently.

Play games with them like “tug of war” and something that confuses them, like pretending to throw their favorite ball in the park for them to fetch.

This will prevent games from becoming predictable. Anything safe to do and that keeps them mentally engaged is a good idea.

6. Give them evenings free of the dog collar

While they must wear a dog collar when they’re outside, it’s not required at home.

Most dogs probably don’t enjoy wearing a collar — many owners have switched to doggie harnesses with a lead, which they feel is more humane — so take it off for the evening.

Give them a little rub to soothe any irritation on their neck caused by a collar. They’ll appreciate it and probably give you some loving back, too.

7. Train them to behave 

Most dogs aren’t automatically well-behaved. Some are quite good, but most must be socialized and trained to behave in different situations.

For instance, some dogs aren’t good around children or other dogs; they get too competitive or jealous for more attention. Many of these traits can improve with effective dog training.

It is very important to ensure they have the basic commands down and respond appropriately to them. This prevents them from acting out without an effective way to bring them back under control.

8. Don’t neglect their grooming

Dogs benefit from being regularly groomed, especially if they have thick coats. Now, we understand that some dogs believe they’re allergic to baths! But that commanding doggie smell needs addressing so they can be let back in the house again.

Grooming should include cutting back their fur and trimming their nails. Ensure the fur near their ears or over their eyes is tidied up.

They’ll learn what’s to be expected when going to the groomers. Unless they hate having a bath, they’ll get to love being all cleaned up.

However, don’t expect them not to roll over on the nearest muddy ground or sprint to the lakeshore because they probably enjoy getting dirty, too.

Best life rules

Giving your dog his best life isn’t always doing what your dog wants.

Sometimes, they have to take their medicine for a high blood pressure condition, even if they dislike it. Similarly, encouraging them to exercise more than they’d prefer for lazy dogs is helping them despite themselves.

Blend in things they enjoy and necessary actions that are good for their long life. They’ll be with you for longer that way.

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