Happy Dogs Are Healthy Dogs

Dogs are pack animals so they thrive on companionship.

Much like their wolf cousins, dogs are very social animals. In fact, dogs are actually more social than we humans. They need to be part of human families. Even when your dog is just lying around the house taking a snooze, he/she is very aware of your presence or absence and appreciates every minute you spend with them. If they are denied access to human living space and human companionship, it can result in behavior and health problems. When you bring a dog into your life, you must be aware that you (and your family) are now the dog's pack and he needs to be with his pack. Forcing a dog to live outside with little or no human companionship is one of the most psychologically damaging things a dog owner can do to a dog.

Even when he/she’s lying around the house or in the backyard having a sun bath and quick snooze, your dog is well aware of your presence, or absence, and appreciates every minute you spend with him/her. If you have a family, your dog loves being part of your family and no doubt has a special relationship with all of the family members.

As a domesticated wolf, all your dog's natural instincts are telling him it is not good to be left alone or isolated from his pack, the feeling of being abandoned or on his own can very stressful and cause anxiety. A dog exhibits stress by digging, barking, howling or whining, chewing, escaping and hyperactivity. Of course, these problems, can, in turn, become so troublesome that your neighbors may complain about the barking, property destruction, or about your dog escaping. Dogs are social beings, just like me and you! Your dog loves walking in the park with you, playing ball or chase with you, and just plain " hanging out" with you!

Playing is a very important part of a young dogs education and a necessary social contact between a dog and it's owner. Playing is a kind of therapy to relax the dog. Playing in groups is specially important for dogs that spend too much time alone. Playing with your dog doesn't have to have a certain goal, it can simply consist of dragging an object from one place to another. Curiosity, for learning new things can also be part of playing. A puppy prefers new things to keep it entertained, this means that one toy or game is not enough for youngster. You can look for new toys and original things, to keep it happy but please be aware and cautious of the type of material it is made of and that you should not leave most toys with dogs when unsupervised (just like with a human baby or toddler)

Consistency when dealing with your dog is very important. And I’m talking here about both the initial teaching/training of your dog, and also the reinforcement of those teachings throughout your dog’s life.

Simple training commands are actually some good tools for communication with your dog.

It’s essential for your dog’s well being for you to be consistent when teaching, playing with and just simply spending time with your dog. But it’s also important for other members of the household (and even frequent visitors) to treat your dog in a similar manner where possible. This is particularly so if your dog has any problem behaviors, such as jumping up at people. If you don’t also ask your family and your visitors to make it clear to your dog that this is unacceptable, your dog is unlikely to curb the jumping altogether. And this may simply perpetuate the problem.

Socialization, puppy kindergarten and or basic training is critical when it comes to nurturing a healthy human-dog relationship and creating a socially compatible pet. The basic elements — sit, down, stay, come, and heel — help produce a good canine citizen. In a practical sense, trained dogs have much easier and better lives, and are easier to live with, than their untrained peers. If dogs resist from jumping up on strangers, sit or lie quietly when asked, and walk politely on lead, they’re bound to spend more time with their owners going to picnics, ballparks, and other public places, and will spend less time alone at home. So, Instead of putting your dog in the backyard or locking him in his crate, spend time teaching him how to be a member of the "pack". teach him the basic rules of the house.

Dogs taught to lie down on the arrival of visitors - after barking a greeting or alarm - are more likely to be included in the dinner party and less likely to wind up isolated in the garage or basement. Basic training is an education in good manners that, almost literally, opens many doors for otherwise confined dogs. Rather than thinking of training as a series of pointless rituals, think of it as a tool to help your dog cope in the real world.

Dogs who experience consistency tend to be better behaved dogs, and, guess what? You guessed it - better behaved dogs are happier dogs, and happier dogs are healthier dogs!

As most of you know, I have Boston Terriers, I raise and show them and believe me, they’re definitely members of my family. I love each one of them like crazy and would be lost without them.

I am sure your dog is much like mine are when it comes to interacting with you being pack animals (yes, even domesticated wolves are still hard wired to be pack animals, that is just the way God designed them so they would be our companions)

I know my dogs are always beside themselves with joy and excitement whenever I come home - regardless of whether I’ve been away for a weekend dog show, or just popped out for 10 minutes! I don’t know too many humans that ever get that excited to see you, do you? I thought so. :-) I don’t know any human who’s even half that happy to see me.

Each of my “kids” reacts a little differently. Allie and Paul are content to hop up and cuddle up next to me the minute I sit down. The others love to drag out every toy in the house and play for a while at my feet first. When I walk past them in the house or talk to them, Paul, Joey and Chase will get up and follow me where ever it may be while the others will look up at me and wag their bodies but usually stay put knowing I wont go far and will be right back. Every dog has his/her own unique personality. Just like we do.

Dogs really can be a man’s (or a woman’s or a child’s) best friend. They only ask for the basics. So, as long as you feed them regularly, show them some love and attention, and teach them the rules, they’re happy. And a happy dog is of course the first step to being a healthy dog.

Part II of Happy Dogs Are Healthy Dogs, "Nutrition Is The Key" can be read HERE