Here at Posh Pets®, we have always believed this one truth: Dogs are family. As dogs take their rightful place as full-fledged members of the family unit, we are always interested in the source of dog happiness and canine well-being. After all, there is nothing like a content and happy pup – it fills us with happiness just looking at them. Is bringing more happiness and joy into your pup’s life on the list of goals for 2018?  Well, here are 7 ways to keep their tail wagging:

1. Spend time with your dog everyday

It goes without saying: our dogs love hanging out with their humans. They need and thrive in an environment where their people take an interest. So, the simplest way to make your dog happy is to spend some quality time with them. Every. Single. Day. What you do together will depend on your lifestyle and the breed of your pup: for some, simply cuddling them on the couch is enough; while others would love to go on epic adventures with you in the great outdoors. Daily walks are essential as it strengthens your bond and both of you get much needed exercise. If you love early morning walks, get up early and greet the sun together.

2. Keep your dog looking good (and posh)

Don’t you feel better when you know you look good? It’s the same with your dog. A good grooming routine is essential. However, some pups show a little apprehension with the whole grooming thing, so start with short brushing sessions and lots of positive reinforcement – praise, belly rubs and treats should never be in short supply. You can also make the session more relaxing by placing essential oils in the room and let the calming scents do their magic.

3. Make bath time fun

The simple state of being clean contributes much to your dog’s emotional and physical health, so rub-a-dub-dub! But, bath time can be another uneasy moment for some dogs. A main reason for that is the feeling of insecurity from the feel of the porcelain of your tub – when wet, that can be very slippery. So, consider getting a non-slip bath mat for your tub. It’s a simple solution that will help the dog feel more safe when in the bath.

There’s no need to hurry either. Move at a slow place, so your dog is relaxed and comfortable while being bathed. You can even massage their paws, shoulders and spine while in the bath so they can associate bath time with comfort.

4. Never skip meals

No one likes to be hungry, so make sure your pooch eats the recommended amount of food every day. If you’re unsure what is the exact amount they should be eating, ask the advice of a veterinarian or pet nutritionist.

Sticking to a feeding routine may be a challenge for working owners who sometimes come home late in the evening. Thanks to technology, feeding your dog is now a lot easier. If you are a busy owner, invest in automated pet feeders that can dispense food at designated times of the day. Or choose a dog sitter/walker that can come in and do it for you.

5. Make new buddies

It’s healthy for your pooch to play with other people or dogs once in a while. In fact, it should start socializing early on as a pup. Dogs need to be exposed to a variety of environments to develop self-confidence and avoid behaviours that manifest themselves when a dog is scared as a result of being exposed to new situations. A social dog experiences less stress, so be sure to introduce yours to new faces from time to time.

6. Give your dog gifts

Dogs can be very naughty when they’re bored, so don’t forget to leave out some chew toys and other play things to keep your dog occupied. When it comes to toys, there are so many new ones coming on the market all the time, including environmentally-conscious ones. A new toy is sure to keep your pup’s tail wagging for days, or at least a couple of minutes.

7. Teach and old dog a new trick

Teaching your dog something new makes for a fun bonding moment. Like humans, our four-legged friends are a curious bunch, and learning something new gives them mental stimulation as well as some physical exercise. The trick here is motivation: treats are great ways to reward your pup as they learn new things. If you want to go one step further, Go Fetch recommends seeking assistance from an animal behaviourist or trainer to show you how to properly train your dog. But do your research – you want to ensure that the trainer will use techniques that you are comfortable with – positive reinforcement is to be chosen over anything that frightens your dog. The goal is to make sessions fun for both you and your furry friend. A trained pup is a happy pup.