More than Just a Pet!

We already know that dogs significantly contribute to our mental and physical wellbeing, but making sure that our four-legged friends have good mental health is just as important, and without being mentally well, your canine companion cannot be physically well either.

Simple but effective, here are some ideas to help ensure your dog stays mentally and physically fit and well.

·       - POSITIVITY – Maintaining a positive relationship with your dog is key to their happiness.  Praise, both verbal and physical, is one of the best ways to show your dog how much you love and appreciate them.  It’s also crucial in positive reinforcement training.  Dogs are sociable and enjoy interaction.  A positive bond with you, backed up with praise and rewards leads to better behaviour, rather than a fear of shouting or punishment.  Don’t fall out of the habit of praising your dog after they’ve passed the puppy training stage either; it’s important to keep it up so that your bond with your dog stays super-strong.

·       - SNIFFING – Let them sniff as much as you can.  Not only does sniffing give your dog a great mental workout, but it can really tire them out too.    Just 20 minutes of sniffing can be equivalent to an hour’s walk in terms of enrichment for your dog.  As humans we are very visual, but for dogs, smells are everything as they interpret the world around them through scent, which is their primary sense.
Dogs use sniffing, much like we use the internet, to gather information; they can find out information about other dogs such as their gender, health and mood, making sniffing a crucial part of social interaction.
Sniffing actively engages your dog’s brain; similar to how we solve puzzles, your dog uses scent to process complex information.
The act of sniffing can also be calming and reduce anxiety in dogs as it releases the mood-boosting chemical, dopamine.
So, take your time when you’re out on your walk; your dog deserves a Sniffari Adventure!

·       - CHEWING – This is a wonderful activity for your dog which has so many benefits.  We are huge fans of raw meaty bones being fed alongside our premium raw dog food. Providing a fresh raw meaty bone for your dog can help with their dental and periodontal health, and can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, keeping them occupied for hours at a time.  Check out our other blog for more information on the best bones to feed.
https://basilsdogfood.co.uk/blogs/news/are-raw-meaty-bones-the-answer-to-your-dog-s-health-issues

·       - TIME – One of the best things you can do for your fur friend is to spend quality time with them, whether it’s going for a walk, playing with toys, or just cuddling up on the sofa.  Whatever it is you choose to do, your dog is going to be happy in your company.

·       - DOWN & DIRTY - Most dogs love to dig and get dirty, and while it can be annoying, especially if they’re digging in your flower bed, many dogs use it as a form of mental and physical stimulation and also stress relief.  Providing your dog with a place where they can dig is a great way of giving them permission to carry out this natural, calming behaviour.

·       - LICKING – Licking is another behaviour that’s great for your dog’s mental wellbeing.  Try some of our raw dog food smeared on to a lick mat so that your dog takes their time licking it off, or some other tasty dry treats in a snuffle mat or puzzle toy.

·       - REST – Sleep is very important for our dogs and often what we think of as difficult behaviours (such as mouthing or nipping in puppies), is actually our dog signalling to us that they need to rest.  Make sure your fur friend gets plenty of down time, especially after exercising.

·       - ADVOCATE – As guardians for our dogs, it’s important that we advocate on their behalf.  It’s OK to say no if someone asks to pet them or play with them and it’s OK to ask people not to engage with your dog.  If we don’t stand up for them, they then will stand up for themselves and this can be in the form of behaviours such as barking or growling, evening nipping or biting, so don’t be afraid to stand up for them.  It’s a great way to build trust and strengthen your bond. 

·       - EXPLORE – Your dog will love to explore new sights, sounds and smells, so take them on an adventure to somewhere new.  It’s a great way to offer them some of that all important mental and physical enrichment.

So, whether it’s the wag of the tail, the soft nuzzle of the nose or the joy of a playful bark, our dogs offer more than companionship, they enhance our lives.  It is clear that there is a bond between humans and their canine companions, a bond that promises to enrich lives for generations to come.