Owning a Dog and Creating a Healthy Environment

[CheleneBogan]

Hello Pet Lovers,

Owning a dog brings so much joy and companionship, but it also comes with the responsibility of creating a healthy, positive environment for them. As a certified dog trainer and owner of I Heart Canine PR, I’d love to share some insights and start a discussion on what makes a dog-friendly, stress-free home.

Tips for a Healthy Dog Environment:

Consistent Routine: Dogs thrive with structure, so creating a daily schedule for feeding, walks, and playtime helps them feel secure.

Positive Reinforcement Training: This approach not only teaches them skills but also builds trust, reduces fear, and strengthens your bond.

Understanding Body Language: Dogs communicate through body language, so knowing their signals can help us recognize when they're stressed, anxious, or happy.

Mental Stimulation: Dogs need to exercise their brains too! Activities like puzzle toys, training games, and scent games help keep them engaged and reduce boredom.

Safe Spaces: Give your dog a cozy, quiet area where they can retreat and feel safe when they need a break.

Question for the Community: What are some things you do to create a healthy, happy environment for your dog? Feel free to share ideas, challenges, or tips on how you make your home dog-friendly!

Let’s keep the conversation going and support each other in giving our dogs the best lives possible!

[kiabird]

Great topic, Chelene, wholeheartedly agree.
But just like raising children, some folks have.n't got a clue, to the detriment of the kids and community.

To add to your great list, I'd offer: CUDDLES!

Looking back on husband's and my longish lives , I can't even remember how we did it, but our dogs (all German Shepherds) were friendly to both adults and children, very protective of our property (and never leaving our acreage despite no fence / driveway gate). We had rules in the house, they were only allowed in the family room (but we never had child gates at doorways). Consistent rules from all people in the house are important, and minimize confusion.

And bring them indoors to share daily lives with you...never leave them out at night.
They'll be calm and relaxed. And safe.

[CheleneBogan]

It all boils down to how you train them and the respect you give. There are lots of owners that just look at their dog as just a pet, but never incorporate them in to the family then wonder why they have bad recall, or more importantly bad behaviors and sometime it can cause anxiety in the dog.

Its sound like you love you dogs a lot and as a trainer i it makes me happy to hear your story .

[Fancy]

There are dogs that prefer the outdoors and take their job guarding livestock seriously. The point of training and supervision of dogs shouldn’t be taken for granted.

[CheleneBogan]

Very True, those ones have a job to do and the coats to handle the weather. Training is still important as you don't want them to assume that their job is to go after anything. One problem I have seen in that city pepo are getting LGD and keeping them in town then wonder why they are getting out of year becaues then have the instinct to roam a big yard.

[Lady tehMa]

I've bought a few Outward Hound puzzles for my pup - he's learning. He got a level 2 puzzle, then figured out a level 3 puzzle. He's having a bit of difficulty with another level 3 puzzle, the "casino" style one.

This is the one we had originally - inlaws used it with their dog. It has gone back to them now for their new (rescue) dog. To get the treat, you have to move the lever out of the way, push the toggle over then back, it drops the treat into a hole for him to get.

puzzle 1.JPG

This is the one that is a step up, in addition to having to move levers, he has to spin the center.

Puzzle 2.JPG

And this is the "casino" style. You put a treat in the tray and close it, turning the white bone locks it. He's still doesn't quite make the connection between the two.

Puzzle 3.JPG

Once he gets that one, he will get something from the next stage up.

[seewood]

Just got back from a 4k walk around Chemainus lake. Then to a Bosley's for a bath then to Dairy Queen for a small ice cream cone. After I had my share

We have always given our girls the best live we can offer. They come pretty much everywhere with us and we try to take them for a walk somewhere they are allowed to be off leash.
They love the boat and camper.
My first Golden came logging with me and was the first to jump into the helicopter.
They bring us so much joy.

[kiabird]

Sheesh...those Outward Hound puzzles.
The dog would have to explain them to my husband.

[normaM]

Socializing with other dogs ( and people) My pup loves going to her Daycare = I certainly couldn't exercise her that much! Tons of play time with her friends, walks on leash in a small pack.. its great. Half days as she still young.. snores on the car ride home, eats and then sleeps until dinnertime.

On our walks she reckons all dogs are going to be her chums, but she is learning, and she loves every person we met. Her fav is young man trapped in his body confined to a wheelchair, she goes wild when she sees him . Very sweet, he can manage to drop down his arm to touch her head. Means she has a good heart.

She isn't afraid of the big dogs as she plays with them in DC, her favs in the area are Newfoundlands,

[normaM]

Puzzles - oh C would swallow those pieces, hoping to get her some as she gets older.

[featfan]

Many years ago I built my dog a big home for him outside.
Two walls were the house the others were pallets covered in plywood .
Lined it with straw.
He didn't want to be inside during winter.
Build your dog a place for him, not you.
Large dogs should not be in apartments and condos.

[Fancy]

Great Danes seem to be able to curl up underneath a chair. As long as the dog can get the exercise required and be stimulated that’s a good thing.

[msaeed2]

I’ve found that rotating my dog’s toys works wonders—rather than leaving them all out, I swap a few every week, and it keeps them way more interested during playtime. We also set up a little corner with their bed and a blanket they love, so they have a spot to chill out when things get too busy.