There’s no doubt that dogs show us their love in a very special way. Whether it’s wagging their tails, licking our faces, or just being there for us, dogs always seem to know how to show us just how much they care. I mean, is there anyone ever as excited to see you when you get home? I would venture a guess that the answer is a resounding no.
But how do you show your dog just how much they mean to you?
There are a few ways to show your dog that you love them. One way is to simply pet them and tell them how much you appreciate them. Another way is to take them on a walk or do some other activity together. You could also give them a special treat or toy to show them how much you care. All of these are good suggestions, but they are a bit vanilla. So, here are five creative ways to show your dog just how much they mean to you.
1. Brush their coat.
Ok. Maybe this one is not so far out of the box after all, but it is a great way to show your dog how much you care for them! Believe it or not, brushing provides mental stimulation for your dog and is a great way to bond with them. Brushing also removes dirt, bacteria, debris and undercoat from your dogs fur. You know how much better you feel after a haircut? A similar experience can be had by your dog after a solid brushing. Removing loose hair and undercoat allows more air to reach the skin and generally is a pleasant experience for your dog.
Brushing your dog using a standard dog brush is fine however, be sure to use a gentle brush. Hard bristles can damage your dog’s skin and hair and that is not a way to show your dog love. We recommend using a special pet grooming brush to brush your dog’s hair. This type of brush has soft bristles that help remove dirt, debris, and excess oil.
Brushing is super easy, just start with the basics. Brush their coat from the top of their head to the tips of their tail. Be sure to brush in a direction that flows smoothly down their body. Be gentle and avoid pulling or tugging at their fur. Remember, a good brushing is not only good for your dog, it’s also good for your wallet!
2. Bake them a Homemade Treat
When you’re looking for a way to show your dog some love, homemade treats are a great way to do it. Not only are they healthy for them, but they also allow you to control the ingredients and quality of the treat. This means that you can make treats that are tailored just for your dog’s liking.
You do not have to be Duff Goldman to make your pup a treat they will love. There are countless recipes online for tasty dog treats, but be careful to inspect the ingredient list and ensure that all ingredients are safe for a dog to consume. Some common ingredients to watch out for in online recipes for homemade treats for dogs include grains, sugar, and salt. Grains can be problematic because they are high in carbs and sugars, which can cause problems such as obesity and diabetes in dogs. Too much salt can also lead to health issues, including hypertension and heart disease.
The beauty in making treats for your dog at home is that you have total control. You know your dog better than anyone and can make them just they way your pup would like them. This is a great way to show your pup just how much you love them and they will be happy to stay in the kitchen to "help" clean up, should you need them.
One last thing on homemade dog treats. If you wanted to make them into homemade CBD dog treats, that is super easy to do with our CBD oils. Simply add your dogs dose to the treat before giving them one, or add Mellow Mammals CBD oil for dogs to the recipe while making them. Easy peasy... If you need some inspiration, here are a few of our favorite homemade CBD dog treat recipes:
Bacon and Sweet Potato CBD Treats
3. Let them dig
Is your dog a digger? A fun way to show your dog how much you love them is to take them to the beach and let them dig in the sand. Not only is this fun for them, you will enjoy it as well! The sun on your face and the waves hitting the beach is always a great way to have some fun together and show your dog some love.
But, what if you don't live by a beach? No problem, you can make a "beach" in your backyard. You can create an area for digging in your yard by digging a hole and filling it with sand. (A real word of caution here though... Make sure you call your local municipalities to ensure there are no power, gas or cable lines in the area you are thinking of digging and have them mark the area safe BEFORE you dig!)
Making an area that you can easily hide a toy in and have your dog dig for it could be a great bonding experience for you both. They will love to dig up the toy and you will give them a safe space to dig.
What if you don't have a backyard? Well, a kiddie pool filled with sand can provide a similar experience for your dog and requires no digging on your part. However, this will get sand EVERYWHERE... so, do not do this unless you have an area that can withstand the constant flinging of sand.
4. Play Hide and Seek with their favorite toy
We have a friend that does this with her dog and it is so much fun to watch! She has a blast hiding the toy and trying to make it challenging for her dog, and her dog, "Eddie" just can not wait to go on the hunt for his toy when given the ok to do so.
Although this game takes a trained dog that will stay when told to do so, it is a fun and engaging way to show your dog love and requires nothing more than a little time. Have your dog sit and stay in a room of your choosing and take their favorite toy and hide it somewhere in the house where they can reach it. Then, come back in the room with your dog and tell them to find it. The race is on and your dog will love "hunting" their toy down! This game takes a little time to train, but you and your dog will have so much fun together playing that it is totally worth the effort!
5. Make a tug toy from a fleece blanket or towel
Tug toys are our dogs favorite activity. Buddy absolutely loves to play tug and would do so for hours! Sure, you can buy a tug toy from just about any store, but why not make your own with an old fleece blanket or towel? These items could have a more personal feel about them for you and your dog and they are not hard to make.
Simply cut the towel or banket into equal strips and weave them together with a knot at the end and you have a tug toy! Well... maybe they are not that simple. So, here is a more detailed article about making a tug toy at home.
Taking the time to make it yourself is dedication to your dog that they will sense. Then, when playtime comes around, you will both have a better and more meaningful experience together. Play is a great way to show your dog how much you love them and a great way to bond with your dog at the same time.
A word of caution here though... safety is always the main concern. Some dogs will want to tear the tug toy apart and eat the pieces. This can be dangerous to your dog, so please put the tug toy away when not playing with your dog. This will keep them from chewing on it and your will not have to worry about your dog choking or getting some fabric lodged in their intestines.
There are many different ways you can show your dog how much you love them... so get creative. The main thing is spending time with your dog and letting them know you care. They shoe love unconditionally... this is something we can all learn from!