How to Make Your Dog Feel More Secure
Sometimes dogs can feel insecure or depressed. These tips can help you to help your dog feel happy, healthy, and secure. Dogs most often feel insecure when things change, such as, a change of residence, change of owner, bad weather, a new person in the home, a history of abuse in a previous home. Most dogs are more comfortable with a steady routine and if that routine changes it can cause your dog to become insecure, depressed, acting out in disruptive or bad behavior, or have other mood changes.
There is more to raising a dog as a pet than just bringing a cute puppy home. Getting a dog or puppy as a pet means you have more responsibilities and more expenses as well as a duty to make sure your dog is happy and healthy. Your can help your dog adapt to changes and feel more secure by utilizing these tips:
Making a commitment
It is important to realize that dogs can live anywhere from 15 to 25 years depending on their health, treatment, breed, and care which means dog owners should be ready to make a commitment to take care of the dog for the entire span of their life. Dogs make excellent companions and love attention. The more affection and positive attention you give your dog the better your dog will behave and is more likely to mind you.
Be consistent
Your dog will quickly learn your schedule. Be consistent with your dogs schedule too. Make sure they have a constant supply of fresh water. A constant supply of dog food is okay for some dogs but many dogs tend to over eat. Give treats for good behavior. Take walks with your dog and spend time with your dog every day. Dogs have a tendency to act out and tear things up if they are lonely, scared, or feel insecure. Making a schedule for your dog that fits into your schedule will make your dog feel more secure.
Give your dog pets and verbal encouragement for good behavior
Your dog wants your attention. You should always be sure to pet and talk to your dog every day and give extra pets and verbal encouragement when they do something positive. This reinforces the good behavior because they know when they do something good you will pet them more and pay them more attention. Most dogs absolutely love a good belly scratch.
Provide toys for your dogs enjoyment
Some dogs love to play and some dogs love to snuggle. Young dogs and puppies are usually more playful than older dogs and are more likely to enjoy toys they can play with. Make sure toys are chew proof. Older dogs may appreciate a comfy stuffed animal to sleep with.
Provide your dog with a comfy dog bed
Dogs like to have a spot that is all their own. If other pets try to take over your dogs bed, remove them and put your dog in the bed. In cold weather provide a heating pad for your dogs bed, older dogs with aging bones and small dogs who cannot seem to stay warm will really appreciate a comfy warm bed. Add a small comfort blanket for extra comfort.
Spend time playing with your dog
It is a good idea to play with your dog every single day. Try to teach them a trick, like retrieving a ball, shaking hands, or other tricks.
Groom your dog
Make bath time a weekly ritual. Be calm and encouraging and speak gently to keep your dog calm in the water. After bath time, spend time brushing your dog. This will reduce the amount of loose fur laying around your house and your dog will love the extra attention. If your dog hates baths, it is a good idea to at least brush their fur once every other day.
Make sure your dog is in good health
If your dog is feeling unwell, has a bad tooth, or has an injury you may not have noticed it can affect their mood and personality. Often they may appear depressed and lay around alot. Take your dog for regular vet visits and make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations. Make sure your dogs are treated for fleas and worms monthly. Dogs with fleas or worms may seem out of sorts, frustrated, and act depressed. Make sure your dog is not overweight or underweight. Overweight means you are feeding your dog to much or giving them too many treats. When a dog is overweight they get less exercise and tend to get depressed. Underweight dogs are either not being fed enough or poor quality dog food, or they have worms or are sick and should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Calming Chews
You can use calming chews or tablets to help relieve your dogs stress. Many times dog owners use them to help calm the dog when going on a trip or when company comes over. If your dog seems anxious or insecure when company comes over it is best to put them in a room away from everyone and go check on the dog regularly and reassure your dog that everything is okay. Note: Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any kind of over the counter remedy.
The bottom line is to keep your dog healthy, spend time with them, encourage them, play with them, groom them and most of all let them know you love them and they can depend on you and your dog will respond by being a happy, healthy, and loving pet friend. The more positive attention your dog gets the more responsive and happier they will be.
Making a commitment
It is important to realize that dogs can live anywhere from 15 to 25 years depending on their health, treatment, breed, and care which means dog owners should be ready to make a commitment to take care of the dog for the entire span of their life. Dogs make excellent companions and love attention. The more affection and positive attention you give your dog the better your dog will behave and is more likely to mind you.
Be consistent
Your dog will quickly learn your schedule. Be consistent with your dogs schedule too. Make sure they have a constant supply of fresh water. A constant supply of dog food is okay for some dogs but many dogs tend to over eat. Give treats for good behavior. Take walks with your dog and spend time with your dog every day. Dogs have a tendency to act out and tear things up if they are lonely, scared, or feel insecure. Making a schedule for your dog that fits into your schedule will make your dog feel more secure.
Give your dog pets and verbal encouragement for good behavior
Your dog wants your attention. You should always be sure to pet and talk to your dog every day and give extra pets and verbal encouragement when they do something positive. This reinforces the good behavior because they know when they do something good you will pet them more and pay them more attention. Most dogs absolutely love a good belly scratch.
Provide toys for your dogs enjoyment
Some dogs love to play and some dogs love to snuggle. Young dogs and puppies are usually more playful than older dogs and are more likely to enjoy toys they can play with. Make sure toys are chew proof. Older dogs may appreciate a comfy stuffed animal to sleep with.
Provide your dog with a comfy dog bed
Dogs like to have a spot that is all their own. If other pets try to take over your dogs bed, remove them and put your dog in the bed. In cold weather provide a heating pad for your dogs bed, older dogs with aging bones and small dogs who cannot seem to stay warm will really appreciate a comfy warm bed. Add a small comfort blanket for extra comfort.
Spend time playing with your dog
It is a good idea to play with your dog every single day. Try to teach them a trick, like retrieving a ball, shaking hands, or other tricks.
Groom your dog
Make bath time a weekly ritual. Be calm and encouraging and speak gently to keep your dog calm in the water. After bath time, spend time brushing your dog. This will reduce the amount of loose fur laying around your house and your dog will love the extra attention. If your dog hates baths, it is a good idea to at least brush their fur once every other day.
Make sure your dog is in good health
If your dog is feeling unwell, has a bad tooth, or has an injury you may not have noticed it can affect their mood and personality. Often they may appear depressed and lay around alot. Take your dog for regular vet visits and make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations. Make sure your dogs are treated for fleas and worms monthly. Dogs with fleas or worms may seem out of sorts, frustrated, and act depressed. Make sure your dog is not overweight or underweight. Overweight means you are feeding your dog to much or giving them too many treats. When a dog is overweight they get less exercise and tend to get depressed. Underweight dogs are either not being fed enough or poor quality dog food, or they have worms or are sick and should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Calming Chews
You can use calming chews or tablets to help relieve your dogs stress. Many times dog owners use them to help calm the dog when going on a trip or when company comes over. If your dog seems anxious or insecure when company comes over it is best to put them in a room away from everyone and go check on the dog regularly and reassure your dog that everything is okay. Note: Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any kind of over the counter remedy.
The bottom line is to keep your dog healthy, spend time with them, encourage them, play with them, groom them and most of all let them know you love them and they can depend on you and your dog will respond by being a happy, healthy, and loving pet friend. The more positive attention your dog gets the more responsive and happier they will be.
Pet Central Supply & Pet Care Tips
Hot News About Birds & Animals
Terms of Use/Disclaimer
Notice: As an Amazon Associate and a Google Adsense Associate. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases on this website. #CommissionsEarned
Contact us: [email protected]
Hot News About Birds & Animals
Terms of Use/Disclaimer
Notice: As an Amazon Associate and a Google Adsense Associate. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases on this website. #CommissionsEarned
Contact us: [email protected]