6 Tips To Cheer Up A Dog
There are many reasons why a dog may be in a bad mood or down: boredom, a move, misses a family member … Luckily, there are ways to fix it. Follow these tips to cheer up a dog:
1. To encourage a dog, help him in his routines
When a dog is faced with a new situation in his life that he does not understand very well, it can appear sad. You have moved, lost a dog friend, or perhaps you are just adopted and overwhelmed by your new situation.
Dogs love routines: knowing when they are going to eat, when they are going to go outside and what hours they have to sleep helps them cope with changes, so establish clear routines and follow them for a long period of time. In a couple of days the dog will understand what is expected of him and will begin to adapt to his new situation.
2. Do not correct or punish him
Punishments are unpleasant for those who receive them, but also for those who apply them. A self-conscious or corrected dog cannot be happy. On the contrary, if we start praising the dog when it does something well, it will learn faster. This is a simple way to cheer up a dog:
- Get ahead of what can cause bad behavior and prevent it from happening. Does your dog rummage in the trash when he is home alone? Put away the bucket or close the kitchen door, for example. This way you avoid scolding him.
- Don’t give him more orders than necessary. Get rid of all unnecessary commands – the fewer commands you receive, the less you have to obey. Also, your stress will decrease slightly and your behavior will improve.
- Ignore bad behavior and reward good behavior. Turn his education upside down: praise him when he doesn’t pull on the leash, when he gets off the couch by himself, when a visitor comes and doesn’t bark, etc. Rewards are much more stimulating than punishment and will help you be happy.
3. Visit new places that I can explore
Despite the fact that routines are a fundamental part of his life, a pleasant little surprise from time to time can help you cheer up a dog. Visit a new park, spend an afternoon going for a walk in the mountains …
Try, yes, that they are little stressful and pleasant surprises for the dog. Do not take it to a market where there are many people, or to a place where there is a lot of noise. Pick a quiet place, where he can see and smell new things, and let him explore. That relaxation time will come in handy.
4. Games with friendly dogs
If your dog has friends, let them cheer him on. Dogs understand each other much better than we think and, if they know each other before, they will know what your friend needs and what your friend wants.
In this advice to encourage a dog, let the other dogs take the initiative. Maybe they want to run, maybe they choose another toy, but maybe they just want to keep each other company for a while. They will decide what the games are like and how long they will last.
5. Teach him new things
One of the most satisfying things for a dog is knowing that he is behaving well: pleasing us is one of his instincts. A sure way they have to please us is to learn new commands or games: every time they get it right they will get a praise or an award and they will feel a little better.
If your dog is not used to learning new commands, start with the simplest: sit, lie down and get up on command. If you already have those skills, go for something more complicated: touch with your legs, turn, bring you things …
6. Give him more rewards
There are many things your dog does well throughout the day that you take for granted. Reward him for them for pleasant little surprises. It is a very simple way to encourage a dog to find food or caresses that reinforce that he is behaving well.
Try to give him the healthiest treats you can: industrial cookies are not usually good for your health in large quantities. And try to vary them: sausages, sausage slices, stoneless fruits … You have many options at hand in your own fridge.
Cheering up a dog that is down shouldn’t be complicated. If none of these tips work, and you don’t know why your dog is sad, it is best to consult a veterinarian: he could be feeling unwell or have some physical imbalance.
