8 good habits to have with your dog

In this month dedicated to routine, we have decided to give you the top 8 habits to have with your dog right from the start. As we have seen in this article, dogs are reassured by routine because it allows them (among other things) to know how to react to given situations. 

Practically speaking, if you want a dog that is “easy” to get along with, it is recommended to get your dog used to as many situations as possible so that with training, your furry friend will always know how to behave. As a result? Less nervousness for you and less stress for him! Everyone wins.
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1. Wait before eating

Most dogs are greedy (especially those fed with Dog Chef). Does your furry friend party at mealtime? Great! On the other hand, does he jump on you hoping to get his bowl faster? Not so good! 

The solution to this problem is simply to teach him to wait before eating. So your dog learns to channel his energy and frustration. It also avoids him literally gobbling up his meal and the problems that might be related to it (bloating, indigestion, vomiting, etc.).

Do you want to teach your dog to wait before eating? Watch this video (YouTube link).

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2. Wait in front of the door beforce going for a walk

Like eating, going for a walk is often a favourite time for dogs and yours is probably no exception. Only problem is, he’s so excited at the idea of going out that you can’t put his leash on and he’s already broken granny’s beautiful porcelain vase! Did you know, however, that how the walk starts sets the tone for the entire stroll? So that’s a good reason to teach him to calm down and wait quietly in front of the door.

How do you do this? 

• The false start: Get ready as usual, put on your shoes and get your keys, but then sit down in a chair as if nothing had happened. Of course, your dog will be unsettled (and probably a bit frustrated, so consider preparing a chew bone to release the frustration after the exercise) but this will let you teach him to be patient when going for a walk. As a result? A dog who is much less excited when you are getting ready, because he will never really know if you are really going for a walk or if you are just “playing a joke” on him.‍
• Learning to calm down: When getting your dog ready for a walk, stop immediately if he gets out of control. Wait for him to calm down on his own and start over as soon as he listens to you and is relaxed. 

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3. Going to his basket when eating

Don’t want your dog to come and eat at the table? Do not feed him while you are at the table and ask him to go to his basket (or the place reserved for him). For this, it is important that your dog has a space of his own. To learn how to arrange such a space, here’s an article (link) you can consult.

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4. Going for a walk

Of course, to feel good your dog needs time to run and sniff whatever comes under his nose. These times, however, must be defined by you, for there is a time for everything. Teaching your dog to walk well can prevent some stressful or dangerous situations for him and others. 

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5. Busying himself with a bone while the master is absent

In this case, it is rather you who will have to get into the habit of leaving your furry friend something to chew on while you are absent. Remember that chewing is one of the essential things for your dog to be happy. If you don’t want him to attack your new sneakers, give him something to chew on, like a deer antler for example. 

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6. Eat healthy

Your furry friend’s diet should be perfectly adapted to his needs. For this, we don’t need to tell you that we at Dog Chef are for the household ration

Diet is not only important for happiness but also for your dog’s health. For example, too little causes deficiencies. Providing balanced meals to your furry friend will give him better health, a shinier coat, more vitality and less risk of allergies. 

7. Stop means stop

As we said earlier, there is a time for everything. Play is a privileged time between a dog and his master and helps build a partnership. Be careful though if your furry friend never has enough and can’t stop. You are the master, and you have to decide on the time and duration of play. When you say stop, your dog must be able to calm down and stop. 

How do you do this? 

• When your dog becomes too excited, interrupt the session with short commands already learned and mastered (For example, lie down, show off, stay still, etc.). In this way, the dog’s attention is focused on something else and this allows him to calm down on his own. 
• Stop playing with him until your furry friend is perfectly calm. The idea is to teach him to deal with his excitement / frustration on his own. 
• Finally, be consistent, if you want your dog to calm down, talk to him calmly and avoid yelling at him (you might get the opposite effect). 

Stopping can also be very useful in avoiding dangers. For example, if your dog runs freely during your walks, he must be able to stop when approaching a danger such as a car, road, crossroads, etc.

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8. Brushing teeth

Of course, you are not expected to brush his teeth 3 times a day, but regularly enough that he lets it go and finds it normal. If you manage to do it twice a week, you can already be satisfied. The idea is not so much that your dog has impeccable oral health, however brushing is still the best option for clean teeth. 

On the other hand, care of your furry friend should not pose any problems: cutting claws, removing ticks, disinfecting a wound, cleaning ears, etc. Get him used to it from an early age. 

And you? What habits have you developed with your furry friend? Share your experience with us in the comments 🙂

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