Return the love your dog has for you by giving them some extra attention – not just on the recent #LoveYourPet day, but at any time you want to make them even happier
Ash Wednesday was the start of Lent. I’ve decided not to give up anything – I feel I’ve given up enough for the last eleven months with not being able to see people properly or go out and about as freely as I’d like.
Instead I’m focusing on giving.
Saturday 20th February was “Love your pet” day.
How to show your dog how much you love them
Pet lovers everywhere will be focusing on giving some extra attention to their pets. What better day to pamper your pet to thank them for the joy and love they bring into your life?
Here’s some ideas you can use to celebrate your canine on Love Your Pet day:
- Make your pet a special treat – you can find recipes for home made dog treats online, or see https://www.downdog.co.uk/freebies for some fun food filling recipes
- Take your dog for an extra long walk, allowing plenty of time for that all-important sniffing
- Have an extra-long cuddle on the sofa or give them a pampering grooming session
- If your dog enjoys watching TV, why not watch a pet programme with them
- Indulge them with their favourite game, or have a fun play session with their favourite toy
- Refresh that toy basket – inspect their toys, throw out any dangerous broken ones, and replace with a fun new toy
- Wash their bedding, then fluff it up just the way they like it
- Check their vaccinations are up to date
- Feed them their dinner in a fun way, to provide some mental exercise – such as scatter feeding or feeding in food toys – see https://www.downdog.co.uk/freebies for some fun mind stimulation games
- Practice their favourite cues and tricks – try puppy push ups (sit, stand and down) or teach a new trick, like play dead or roll over
Why training your dog is so good for them
The best treat you can give your dog is to train them. Training includes teaching your dog to walk nicely on a loose lead, to come back when called, to have good manners in and outside the home, including with other dogs and with people, and helps build that unique bond, that close relationship that means so much to every dog owner.
Our regular Perfect Pet course teaches you how to help your dog become the pet you dreamed of, walking nicely on lead, not jumping up, coming back when called and lots more! jumping up, coming back when called and lots more. We’re having to run it online, but that’s meant we’ve been able to add weekly live Q and A sessions in addition to the main taught class, where we can help with any specific problems you’re having as you work through the course.
I want to give you even more though.
Do you need to do some work with your puppy?
Next week we’ve got our Socialisation at a Distance online course, check the training page for the next dates. Socialisation is all about helping your puppy to be comfortable and confident in our complex world. Coronavirus & Lockdown have certainly put a stop to being able to do this in the ‘normal’ way.
This course will give you lots of ways to help your new puppy get to grips with this new world it’s entered. Or if you or someone you know is soon getting a new pup, it will help you prepare to give the pup the very best start in life.
What are you going to give your dog on Love Your Pet day?
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
