We all have good or bad moods, and we must learn to manage them in order to deal with the ups and downs of our day. In the same way, your dog is also subject to certain emotions; unlike humans, however, they do not have their own agency to effectively manage them like we can. A responsible dog parent should be able to take the lead with their pooch’s moods the same way they manage their potty training.
It is not as complicated as you may think; You don’t have to be a graduate of psychiatry in order to effectively administer your dog’s temperaments. The ways to keep your dog as happy and functional as he can be are pretty simple, and are surprisingly similar to how humans are soothed and humored as well.
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Here are some ways to make sure that your dog is in tip top psychological shape:
- Establish routines
Your dog needs to be able to rely on certain routines. This helps them feel secure that during a certain time, or maybe after a certain activity, they can come to rely on an action that follows it.
Routines include regular feeding times, playtime, walking and exercise, bath time, and sleep time, among others. Making sure that these things are almost automatic in your dog’s daily living will help them stay in a steady mood.
- Spend time with them
Spending quality time with your dog is very beneficial to their state of mind. Make sure you’re around them enough that they get used to your smell, and feel comfortable and safe as a result.
- Physical touch
Just like humans, physical touch is a love language for our canine counterparts. You can simply stroke them, massage them, hug them, or even tickle them. This lets them get used to your tactile signals and helps soothe them.
- A healthy diet
What your dog eats is also instrumental in causing different moods, and the healthier they eat, the happier they are. Consult with your vet on what the best meal plan and feeding routine is for your dog. It may be different for each breed, so be as specific as possible. Make sure your dog gets a healthy, balanced diet filled with the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals. A holistic brand of dog food may be useful here instead of your usual kibble.
- Walks and exercise
Physical activity/exertion is always good for both dogs and humans. Rather than being allowed to circle your backyard by themselves, they should have ample time with you outdoors. Daily walks, apart from the exercise, also gives them the sun that they need, exposure to fresh air and the outside world, and even a social life if they interact with other dogs. This can help regulate their moods as well get them used to being around other people and animals.
- Relationships with other animals
They say that what makes a human life worth living is the quality of relationships we have with others. In the same way, letting your dog establish relationships with other animals is great for their socialization and well-being.
Whether it’s a dog in a park or another animal in your home, the best way to approach this is to start slow. Be sensitive to whichever dog was in the household first, and make sure neither has to compete for your affection.
Be sure to introduce them to each other slowly in the beginning. There should be one responsible adult tending to each dog, and holding them for the first meeting while allowing the dogs to smell each other. It would be better to let them roam free without a leash, allowing both of them to establish trust and helping them feel less restrained and more confident in themselves.
Taking both dogs on a walk together can also help manage overstimulation, and ease into each other more naturally. Eventually, when they warm up to one another, they can be good dog friends and be in a sweet mood even when their human isn’t around.
These are some of the top tips you should put into place as you manage the mood of your pet. The more you implement them, the more uplifted your dog will feel, and the longer its time with you will be.
