A pampered pooch is a happy pooch! And although we love rewarding good behavior, we understand that sometimes dogs have bad days, just like we do. And when we're having a bad day, we really appreciate it with someone does something nice for us. So there's no harm in pampering your pooch even when they've had an accident on the floor or chewed on your favorite sweater. Just remember not to pamper them immediately after their bad behavior – they might get confused and think you're rewarding them.
1. A nice plush bed
Maybe that plain doggy bed isn't cutting it for your canine companion. If not, you can give your dog a seriously comfy sleeping spot such as a Tempur-pedic dog bed, made of the same viscoelastic memory foam they use in mattresses. Dogs that are short-haired or have joint problems may especially enjoy heated dog beds. Some have microwaveable inserts, while others plug into the wall.
2. Plan an Activity!
One easy way to pamper your pet is to plan activities with him in mind. If your pet loves nothing more than exploring the great outdoors, consider taking him hiking. Dogs who love playing in the water, like Labrador Retrievers, would probably enjoy a trip to the lake. Many communities now have dog parks, where your dog can go off his leash and socialize with other dogs. There are even private dog parks such as WagsPark in Cincinnati, Ohio, where for a small fee (or a membership), your dog can hang out in a fountain, dive off a diving board into a lake or frolic in a special play structure.
3. Let them be a therapy dog!
[If your pooch is] very calm and loves people, he might enjoy being a therapy dog. Dogs can give comfort, happiness and affection to those in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters and schools. Ask at your local nursing home or hospital to find out if they have a program in place. Organizations like Therapy Dogs International can evaluate your dog to see if he's suitable, as well as register you as a team and connect you with programs and facilities.
4. Yummy Treats!
Most dogs love to eat, well, just about anything. A treat for your dog can be as simple as a few small bits of unseasoned, cooked meat or cooked vegetables like green beans or carrots. You can even bake your own dog treats; just make sure that your recipe doesn't include any ingredients that aren't good for dogs, like onions. If baking isn't your style, look for high-quality treats online or at specialty pet stores. Most of your dog's nutrition should come from meals, not snacks, so keep that in mind when doling out the treats. It's also a good idea to ask your vet about your dog's snacks
Your dog might already have a bed. But is it comfortable? Dogs are creatures of habit. If the bed has been their bed since they were a pup, they'll most likely sleep on it nightly out of habit. But that doesn't mean they really like it. Test it out for yourself! Is is still plush? Do you sink to the bottom? Does it smell? If any of these things ring true, toss that bad boy out and replace it with something new and comfy.
We love this list of ideas from Animal Planet. They are such a great resource of fun tips and cool tricks. Click here to read their article in full.
You've probably noticed that the majority of these article titles target German Shepherds specifically. Although ‘Leashes Optional' is meant to be a dog site, we have found that having a niche market, or in this case a specific dog breed, works great for driving traffic. So if you notice some of the article I link are not directly about German Shepherds, thats ok. You'll just want to use your introduction paragraph and closing paragraph to touch on the German Shepherd breed whenever possible.
Do You Spoil Your Pooch?
If you spoil your pup regularly and have some awesome ideas or tips for other dog lovers to glean from, share them with us! We want our dogs to have the best, but to do that and to keep things exciting, we need to stay on top of whats current and learn from one another. Please let us know in the comments section what you do for your pooch and which things have worked best for you and your dog!
