Pampered Pooch!
Creating the ideal puppy retreat of tranquility – combined with periods of entertainment to nourish your pup’s mind, exercise to keep your puppy fit, and good food to fill your puppy’s belly – really is a bonus. Get it right and your puppy will be happy……and so will you!!
Here are a few tips on having a Happy dog and a Happy you!
1. Think Dog!
a. Sometimes it’s tempting to pamper your puppy to the max, but as long as you consider your puppy’s needs in relation to what he is – a dog – all will be well. Your puppy won’t be any more content with a diamond collar than a nylon one: what IS important to him is that it fits properly and he can forget he’s wearing it. Just as the most expensive dog bed in world will be uninviting if it’s placed in a draft or next to a radiator that gets too hot!
b. It’s the little things you must consider to make sure your puppy feels your home is the best place your puppy can be.
2. Reality Check
a. Of course you can spoil your puppy, but make sure it’s on the right way. For example, you might imagine he would love to share your curry, washed down with a swig of beer and followed by dessert of chocolate cake. Being inherently greedy, most pups would scoff all this with relish – and ask for more. But this type of food is not good for him: in fact, chocolate can be fatal to dogs, young or old! At the very least. Such a spicy, boozy meal will cause flatulence, make your puppy feel bad, and upset your puppy’s stomach!
b. What your puppy will enjoy just as much, if not MORE because there are no unpleasant side effects, is five minutes playing with your puppy in the yard or even a 10 minute walk!
3. Room Service?
a. Puppies do NOT feel guilty, because they are unable to assimilate such a feeling. What they do display is FEAR, which many owners mistake for guilt. Similarly, many owners mistake pleading eyes at dinner for hunger, when in fact all your puppy is doing is TRAINING YOU in the art of room service!
b. Attributing human emotions and requirements (known as anthropomorphism) to a puppy is to everyone’s disadvantage. Treat your puppy like the dog it is, for everyone’s benefit.
A Happy Dog is a Happy Owner!
