Merry Christmas From Adimus Dog Services

Well Christmas is over for another year. We hope you've had a fantastic time, filled with love, joy and food. Around about now, most people start thinking about next year - whether it be resolutions or just simply things they'd like to start or stop doing over the course of the year. Well, we here at Adimus Dog Services say, "Don't forget your dog." There is always something more you could be doing with them.

1. Walk your dog more often. Depending on breed, most dogs need a walk every day to keep them healthy and sane. Even small dogs like to get out and explore the world. Imagine being cooped up indoors all the time - when anyone comes to the house it'll be super exciting and you'll struggle to contain yourself. If your dog has some stimulation by going out the house, having some sniffs and experiencing the outside world, then exciting things inside the house won't be as exciting. It could also help with any resolutions you may have about losing weight or getting healthy. By taking your dog to the park, playing with a ball or squeaky toy, you're relieving a lot of stress and your dog is having fun with you. This builds a positive relationship and makes you more interesting to them. This also helps with their recall when off leash in the future.

2. Play with your dog more often. This simple act of playing with a toy with your dog makes you more interesting to them. It also builds the positive relationship. If your dog is behaving in ways you don't like a lot of the time, then playing with them is a good thing you can do that makes you both feel happy. All dogs love to play - whether it be fetching a ball, chasing you or you chasing them, wrestling or rough-housing, any game will do. Get on the floor and give it a go! You'll be wishing you'd done it more often.

3. Teach them a few tricks. Tricks are so easy to teach using the clicker because you can click any step toward the end goal. Basic tricks are a great way to ask for something and your dog do it and have a positive experience for you both. It may seem 'froo-froo' to begin with, but soon you'll get bitten by the trick-bug and will fall in love with teaching your dog to do something.

It's also a fantastic way to stimulate them mentally. Dogs that are particularly energetic should always be taught tricks or stimulation games to keep their minds active so they don't get bored and resort to finding their own entertainment; like ripping up your carpet or chewing up your cushions or wallpaper. If you struggle for ideas of what to teach your dog, have a look at our YouTube channel for ideas and tutorials on tricks and behaviours to teach your dog. Just spend five to ten minutes a day or every other day teaching them something using the clicker and you'll see such a difference in their behaviour and reliability on completing tasks you've asked for.

4. Fuss and cuddle them more often. This might seem like an obvious thing to do with your dog, but if you have a dog that 'misbehaves' a lot, it's likely that you don't feel like cuddling them a lot. Did you know that when you stroke or cuddle a dog, your brain is flooded with chemicals that make you feel good? This happens to them too! This builds the bond between you and helps give you both a positive relationship. Don't fuss them within 3 seconds of them doing something unwanted, but if they're calm or being good, give them some fuss and cuddles! If your dog mouths or licks your hands or simply doesn't look like they enjoy fuss, then try this video:

This is the first video in our Positive Handling Series and teaches your dog to enjoy hands coming toward them as well as being fussed and generally touched. Some dogs or puppies can feel uncomfortable being petted, stroked or cuddled to begin with so this method is a great way to teach them to enjoy it. Deep down, every dog wants to be cuddled and stroked - we've bred them to crave this from us - so if they have any aversion to it now, you can bring that enjoyment back to the surface in a friendly, positive way.

So in this coming year, why not think about the relationship you have with your dog at the moment. Are you happy with them? Are they happy with you? Is there anything you could do to make your lives easier? Do you need help teaching them behavioural things like not jumping on guests or not pulling on leash when going for a walk? Then contact us to arrange an induction anywhere in the Black Country! We come to your home so are flexible to days and times that suit you. Make this the year your relationship with your dog becomes the best you've ever had.