Animal Tales – October 2019

21

BE FIRM.

This might not sound like something your

puppywillenjoy,butyouhavetosetclear

expectationsandremainconsistentwhen

trainingyourdog.Forinstance,it’sconfusing

fora dogif youfeedit fromthedinnertable

onenightandthenyellwhenit begsfortable

scrapsthenextnight.Rememberthat!

CHALLENGETHEM.

Didyouknowdogshatetobebored?

Theyloveit whenyoucomeupwithfun

newactivitiestokeepthementertained.

Tryhidingsomeofyourpet’s treats

throughoutthefirstfloorofyourhouse,

likea scavengerhunt,andleadit

aroundtofindthem.Afterthefirstfew,

itsnoseshouldpickupthescentand

yourfurryfriendwillhuntonitsown.

EMBRACE YOUR INNER DOG.

You need to show interest in the things your furry

friend likes to do. If you’re standing around on your

phone while your dog is bringing you sticks to play

fetch, that won’t go unnoticed. Your pupper pays

attention to your behavior, so be enthusiastic and

show that you’re having fun playing doggie games.

SHOW YOUR LOVE.

Whether your dog is a snuggle bug or not, you

need to show it lots of affection. If your pet’s not

a cuddler (some really dogs aren’t!), try belly rubs,

ear scratches or brushing its fur to show it how

muchyoucare.Dogsfeelhappinessandsadness,

likehumansdo,sotheyneedyoutolifttheirspirits

sometimes.Andtheyalwaysneedtofeellikean

importantpartofyourlife!

PUT IN TRAINING TIME.

Dogs like to work — it gives them a sense of

purpose. So use some of your quality time with

it each day to teach it a new trick or practice

commands. Your pup will enjoy showing off

its skills, especially when you give it a treat for

some positive reinforcement.

SCIENCE

SPE

:

Why we

love our

dogs so

much!

Peoplelove

dogs.It’sbasically

afact—over

36%

ofU.S.households

havedogs,

afterall.But

didyou

knowthere’

sascientific

reasonthat

explainswhy

we

enjoybeing

aroundcanines?

Whenhumans

anddogs

lookintoeach

other’seyes,

theybothget

aboostof

oxytocin,which

isahormone

thatmakes

youfeelgood.

Nowonder

welovespending

timewithour

pups!

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