Bonding And Rewarding Your Pooch

No other animal has such a strong affinity for us than a dog. There’s something so human about dogs that attract us toward them. They’re inquisitive, smart, able to learn quickly, playful and have traits that we value greatly from love to loyalty. When you have a pooch running around the home, a family living space feels complete. One of the best feelings in the world is to come home from a long, hard day at work and find your furry friend excited and waiting for you. Not only do they provide comfort for children but they can also read your moods. Dogs have been given the title of man’s best friend for a reason, and it's because they react and adapt to any type of situation. They can adjust to our way of living, become a part of our daily routine without impeding it, and also make life easier as you get older. It's important that your pooch feels appreciated and is sure that obeying your orders will not only pay off in affection but treats as well. Treats don’t necessarily have to come in the form of food, and they can be advanced bonding techniques and practical supplements.

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Change of route for walkies

One of the ways dogs get used to your way of life is to know when it's their turn to go walking. It's a pleasurable reassurance to them because they know where they stand. Walks are good for their joints, and it allows them to be a dog at heart. They get to sniff around, smell different scents and interact with different animals as well as mark their territory with their own scent. However, contrary to popular belief, changing the route you take for walks every now and again: lights the dog’s senses up even higher. Usually, on routes the dog knows, they will already anticipate certain things: for example, a lamp post or post box that they use as a reference. However, by changing up the routine, you’re essentially leading them into the unknown. At first, they will be slightly wary, but as long as you’re assertive and comforting, the pooch will remain calm. You’ll start to notice that your dog walks closer to you when he or she is unaware of where they are. This is a great bonding exercise for you both, and it keeps the dog on its toes and allows it to explore with you. Change the route, and your dog will thank you and your relationship will become even closer.

Image by Omerlavon

Chunky, chewy, meaty treats  

Just like human beings, dogs want the odd treat here and there as well. For all the hard work they do, listening to your commands, being playful and friendly with your children and just being a good old pooch, you should reward with treats. Dogs aren’t like humans, in the fact that vegetables and fruit aren’t really necessary for their diet, but meat is. So perhaps you should investigate meaty treats that have been grilled and ready to eat. Dogs value the differentiating tastes of different meat, so you have the choice of duck for a lighter texture, chicken with a good amount of protein, and meatballs to start off with. Dogs do like treats that they can also work up a sweat with, so think about getting your furry friend a pig’s ear. A dried pig ear can last them a few hours, so it not only tastes great to them but also keeps them occupied. For larger dogs or simply dogs with this kind of taste, you also have the option to buy beef patties that are dense and rich in nutrients. In all of these products, you won’t find any artificial colors so rest easy on this fact. Be careful though because these dried meat treats are dense so don’t overfeed the dog.

Photo by Karsten_Kettermann

Toys you can both play with

One of the greatest things in life is to be in a park with a wide open field and playing fetch with your dog. You can just see your pooch’s face light up as suddenly he or she goes from a resting form of light jogging to full blown sprinting. It's their chance to be free and run as fast as they possibly can, and use up as much space as they want. Dogs also take a delight in pleasing their masters: as this is just what they love doing, because they know they’re being useful. For the best fetch toys, you should consider something that is a little tougher than your average squeaky toy. Ball launchers are cheap, easy to use and fun. This toy launches any dog ball that you put in it, by simply using the power of extended motion. Like a pendulum effect, just simply put the ball in the cup and swing high and fast. Of course, the ever versatile frisbee is also a great addition to your collection of park toys. It's simple and easy to use and fun for the owner too. A boomerang fetcher with a two leg design is also a simple yet incredibly fun toy. You simply throw the toy and it arches and curves while hovering just above the ground. This forces the dog to use it's coordination skills to grab it on the move.

Rewarding your dog isn’t just to show him or her you love them. It's a psychological game you’re playing too. You’re showing that their continued service in your pack, will be returned in the form of love, play and treats. Don’t forget that dogs are inherently pack animals and they feed on being rewarded for their hard work by their master or leader. Get your dog the chewy meat treats because they’re dense and high in protein which helps to make them feel full and repair muscles as well. Equally, don’t forget to take your dog on different routes when going to walkies. Even dogs can get bored of sniffing them same old corner of the street, so mix it up and keep your pooch on his or her toes.

This is a contributed post.

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