Chasing Joy

6 Tips To Keeping Your Dog Happy & Joyful

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Hello people.  My person was busy so I’m helping her out on the blog today.  I am the awesome Shih Tzu known as Hurt.  My person has mentioned me a time or two here on her blog.  No, I’m not telling you how I got my name.  It’s top secret so if I told you I’d have to kill you.

I’ve been taking care of my person for a few  years now and I love it.  I know you all think that the person is in charge and the animals are the pets but you are all so mistaken.  We let you think that because we know how fragile your egos are, but I digress.  I have been taking care of my person for a few years now and I finally have her fully trained on exactly what to do to keep me pleased.  So here are a few tips on how to have a happy dog.

  1. Crunchies!!! Lot’s of them.  The way to your dog’s heart is through his stomach.  Keep his stomach full and he will reciprocate with lots of doggy kisses.  Now often while you are eating your dog may gently remind you that eating is a social activity and they’d like to join you.  Don’t mistake this for begging.  This is simply part of your training and a reminder that you forgot to give us a little something when you fixed your plate.  Dropping a few morsels onto the floor for us will quickly rectify the oversight.  
  2. Walks! Exercise is so important.  If us dogs did not insist on daily walks our people would get really out of shape.  We can’t let that happen.  We have to keep our people healthy .  Notice the enthusiastic energy us dogs  have when doing our daily walk. Our people should follow suit.  The walks keep our muscles toned and our bodies slim.  We use the exercise time to explore our surroundings and get to know our neighbors and their people.  
  3. Naps! Now the length and number of naps required by dogs vary.  As part of your training to become an awesome pet parent you will learn what works best for your dog.  A Senior dog such as myself has learned the benefits of getting lots of beauty sleep.  You will know when your dog has reached the optimal level of sleep when they run and bark in their sleep without waking themselves up.   This level of sleep is also accompanied by a protruding tongue.  
  4. Rubs!!!!  This is a major major key to keeping your dog happy.  Rubs also known as petting your dog or scratching your dog, is a bonding activity.  We allow our people to give us rubs so that they can have a physical connection with use.  We know how smooth our fur feels on your paws, I mean hands.  We know the pleasure it gives you to see us wiggle about and do our version of laughing and smiling.  Rubs are relaxing to but us dogs and our people so don’t be stingy with them.
  5. Swag! That’s right we have swag too.  Don’t get lazy when it comes to keeping us groomed.  A comb, brush and pair of scissors go along way. Keep us neat and clean.  Some of us are more high maintenance than others.  Get to know your dog and what it takes to keep them so fresh and so clean.  If your dog is like me he will enjoy getting dressed.  And don’t be stingy when it comes to the bling a rhinestone collar is always a nice touch.
  6. Routine.  Now this does not sound so exciting but the routine is how all of the above work together to make your dog the happiest K9 ever.  Grooming to keep your dog’s Swag On will vary from pup to pup. However the Crunchies, walks, rubs, and naps will be similar for all of us.  It will go something like this.  Rubs, Walks, Crunchies, Rubs,  Nap and repeat!  Not hard at all.  Even a person should be able to get this routine down pact.
Just follow the tips above and you will make your dog as happy as my person has made me.  You will know you have it down when your dog starts doing the following for positive reinforcement: greeting you at the door,  jumping on you when you return home, following you around the house (even keeping you company in the bathroom), and giving you lots and lots of puppy kisses.  Don’t forget us dogs give you people lots of Joy so we should have Joyful lives too.  
Thanks for letting me fill in for my person.
Yours Truly Hurt!
What gives your pet the most Joy (rubs, toys, special treats)? 
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Comments

  1. What a wonderful post. I'm glad that you showed us your dogs!Your article on this blog is fantastic. Well done! Iā€™m a big fan of your blog and be sure to keep up the great work.

  2. You're right about the routine.
    When my dog lived with my father-in-law, they would always get up at 5 a.m. and go for a walk. My husband and I don't do that with him. For awhile after he moved in with us, he'd wake me up at 5 a.m. and I'd let him outside for a bit. Now he's on a new routine. When the alarm goes off in the morning, he does his best to keep up in bed with him because he likes to cuddle… and sometimes we give in.
    He's also learned that when I come home, I'll often play ball with him. Sometimes he greets me with a ball in his mouth because that's the routine now, isn't it (and today I had to tell him to wait: I had frozen groceries to put away.
    I love my dog a lot. Thanks for the post.

  9. Hurt is a cutie! And a good blogger too! Now, if only I could get my kitty cat to sign up for blogging duties… (fat chance!)

  10. Your dog is so cute! I've had dogs all my life and agree with all of your tips and do every once and awhile miss having a dog in the house.

    But now that my hubby and I are empty nesters we have cats who are enjoyable company and don't mind our leaving for occasional trips.

    Even they love special treatment like being able to get in the bed or special snacks and belly rubs!

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