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Building healthy habits with your dog can help foster a close pet/pet parent relationship. And it’s not just about getting more exercise—or at least, not in the way you might expect. Looking to live an even better life with your four-legged best friend? Try implementing these new habits to better your and your dog’s health, and you won’t look back.
Start a Dog Dental Care Routine
Periodontal disease is difficult to control once it has developed and is one of many reasons to take care of your dog’s teeth. Daily brushing is necessary to minimize calculus formation and keep your dog healthy. Reduction of bacteria in the mouth can be accomplished through not only brushing, but also diet, treats, and special toys. Start by massaging your dog’s gums as an introduction to brushing their teeth. Using the right dog dental care products is paramount to healthy teeth and gums for your dog.
Take Walks With Your Dog
We’re learning that short breaks help us maintain focus. The ideal break includes movement, and when this break is spent with others it has even more powerful effects! Walking your dog provides numerous benefits for you and your pet, including better behavior, weight loss, better digestion, joint health, and more! The time spent on a walk depends on you and your dog’s preferences; it’s recommended that you walk your dog at least once a day to better your dog’s health. So get outside and spend quality time with your dog!
Try Different Activities
Keep things interesting by picking a new activity to do with your dog, like swimming (senior dogs love this form of exercise). Taking your dog swimming is a great exercise for you and them because swimming helps keep joints and muscles active. Dog yoga, or doga, and nose work are also popular activities. Why do doga? It’s a great way to combine the spiritual practice of yoga with quality dog time. Nosework is an activity that allows your dog to use their natural desire to hunt and harnesses their unique ability to detect the scent and determine the source. A well-rounded dog is a healthy dog!
Be Silly and Have Fun
Part of having a dog is being playful! Try singing with your dog or playing hide-and-go-seek. One of the best ways to be silly with your dogs is to throw them over-the-top birthday parties with pupcakes, party hats, festive decorations, and plenty of other dogs. The date could be the day you adopted them or their literal birthday. Up to you! Another way to have fun is with matching dog and owner outfits so you and your dog can both be super stylish.
Purchase a Dog Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are one of the best new products for dog owners. Once a month one of these boxes arrives with novel treats you likely haven’t tried, along with new toys! One of the most popular subscription boxes for dogs is BarkBox; every month, it comes with a bunch of amazing toys, treats, and other fun items, and there are even different themed boxes coinciding with each season or other fun event.
Explore Pet-Friendly Places in Your Area
More and more places allow pet parents to bring their pets with them. If you’re unsure where you can and can’t bring your dogs, you can easily find pet-friendly places online. Some go-to spots are walking trails, public parks, green spaces, outdoor restaurants, and botanical gardens.
Get a New Hobby (With Your Dog)!
A new hobby with your dog doesn’t have to just be exercise or even dog-related at all! Learning how to spend quality time with your dog is important in building a bond that will last a lifetime. If you can include your dog, do it. Knitting, writing, reading, watching TV or a movie, or cooking, for instance, are all more fun with your trusted companion by your side.