Life with a furry forever friend may not always -or often – be glamorous. In the rush of life, juggling  a mile long task list, it’s easy to occasionally neglect the simple small ways we human folks can do to make our canine friends happy.  Thinking about life from a dog’s eye view can be a wake up call, and that perspective may also help address common behavior problems, but that’s not what this is about.

Instead of thinking about problems and solutions, think about fun. Your dog may not be able to talk, but that doesn’t mean s/he isn’t saying a lot.  When was the last time you had a great time with your dog?  That may provide a little insight into how much fun your dog is having.

Here are four super easy tail-wagging tips

• Listen: When your dog is having a great time, whether it’s playing inside, hanging out in the backyard, or the dog park, don’t rush it – indulge and enjoy!
• That Loving Feeling: Make training time about positive reinforcement, not punishment. Even five or ten minutes of positive interaction may make a difference in your dog’s day.
• Look into Those Eyes: pay attention and make eye contact with your canine friend: it improves bonding.
• Lollygaggers Only: instead of walking for cardio health in a fast, straight line, make a point of letting your pooch zig zag, stop, sniff, and enjoy a walk at his/her own pace every so often.