These are challenging times not just for you but also for your dog. Some of the worries you may have to deal with during this time include helping your children e-learn while balancing between keeping your space clean and working from home. On top of that, having a bored dog around can be overwhelming.
Most dogs need activity to stay healthy, happy, and out of trouble. This is especially true for pups who need to utilize their excess energy. You don’t have to overthink when it comes to keeping your dog busy. However, it will require some creativity on your part. Here are some of the best ideas that will help you keep your dog busy during the pandemic.
1. Take a walk
This is not the most creative method to improve your dog’s life during the quarantine. However, it is quite effective. Most dog owners walk their dogs every day. During quarantine, it’s important to plot out a route that will help you minimize contact with other people.
The walk will not only benefit the dog but also you. Even though it’s easier to watch TV all day or chat with your loved ones indoors, getting some fresh air will momentarily keep you away from your stressful routine and the news.
2. Stock up essentials
Now that you have prepared all the essentials for yourself during quarantine, it’s important to do the same for your furry friend. According to assignment writing service, when it comes to his food, you should buy enough to last for one or two months. You can also order high-quality meals and have them delivered to your home through delivery services. Apart from food, you should also buy enough medication that will last through the isolation period in case your pet is under medication. The same applies to anti-parasite treatments.
3. Visit the vet regularly
The one thing that you should keep in mind is most pets cannot get infected or transmit COVID-19. Therefore, be assured that your furry friend will be safe all the time. And so will your playtime and cuddles. Although they cannot transmit the deadly virus, it’s important to ensure that your pet doesn’t come in contact with people who have tested positive.
If you have a vet visit coming up in a couple of weeks, you should reschedule it and get an appointment as early as possible. Even if you were not planning to take your pet to the vet soon, it’s important to ensure that your furry friend is healthy. While your pet may seem happy and healthy, some illnesses can take time to start showing symptoms. A health-checkup will ensure that you don’t end up in an emergency room.
4. Engage your furry friend
Dogs need exercise and a wide range of fun activities to keep them healthy and happy especially during the pandemic. If you have some free time, play with your furry friend. You can build tunnels out of boxes to help them run around or hide treats in different spots around the house and have him look for them. As research paper writing service reports, there are a lot of interactive toys that will keep your furry friend entertained during this period. These toys are like puzzles to them which are great for their mental health.
5. Plan for alternative activities
This is an unlikely scenario if you manage to stay healthy during the lockdown. If you are in a situation where you are living on your own and you can’t leave the house, you should consider alternative ways of walking your dog. This is especially critical if you live in a highly-populated place where there is a chance of catching the virus.
Establishing an emergency that will help in taking care of your furry friend when you are sick. It’s also important to teach your dog how to relieve himself indoors. Before he feels comfortable relieving himself indoors, you’ll need to lead him outside. When he starts doing it correctly indoors, remember to reward him.
6. Keep an eye on his mood
You need to connect with your pet by taking the time to cuddle and play with him. Training your pet is another great way to build a meaningful relationship with your furry friend. Therefore, if you have a dog, take your time to teach them new things. Apart from the connection, they’ll get both physical and mental exercise. Also, keep an eye on his behavior.
According to professional essay writers, dogs can feel anxious and depressed when things go wrong. Therefore, ensure that you give him time and affection. Health problems can also make your furry friend lazy. Keeping an eye on your pet and stimulating him will improve his health and happiness in times of crisis. When you take your time and energy to care for your dog, he will also take good care of you in the long run.
7. Stick to their routine
The pandemic has probably disrupted your routine in a significant way. In times like this, it’s easy to ignore your pet’s routine. Behaviorists warn against this. You need to do your best to keep the routine of your pet intact.
Walks, feeding, and potty should happen as they normally do. If your car is used to be driven around, it’s not an entirely bad idea to take them for a short drive. Continue asking them for good manners and be consistent. In the end, the effort you put in will pay off in spades.
8. Be considerate
Nobody enjoys staying with a roommate who is always noisy. The same applies to your pet. Now that you’ll be spending a lot of time together with your pet, you need to be mindful since pets can hear much more than us. Turn down the volume and minimize excessive noise. Doing this will help them get some rest. If you want to chill out with your pet, consider listening to classical music, or podcasts.
9. Groom your pet
You need to start grooming your dog while he is young if you want to have an easy time in the future. Grooming includes brushing his coat, trimming his nails, cleaning him with dog shampoo. You can also hire a professional groomer to help you if you are too busy.
10. Create a haven
You’ll need to be ready to start training your furry friend as soon as you create a safe spot for him. If you are thinking of crate training him, ensure that the crate is ready. Make it comfy by lining it with mats or blankets. Ensure that he has enough space to turn around, stand, or sleep.
Introduce him to his crate slowly and give him the chance to explore it. If he doesn’t want to go in, throw in a few pieces of food or a toy. The more comfortable he feels in the crate, the easier it will be for you to train him. If you’ll forego a crate, prepare a small area when you can confine and keep him away from children and pets.
Ensure that you provide some training pads to prevent accidents. Also, include a water dish, a dog bed, food, and toys. This area will serve as a safe space when he needs some time alone or becomes overwhelmed.
Conclusion
Making your dog’s life comfortable during quarantine is all about creativity. There are a lot of simple activities that you can do together at home to improve his health and build a strong relationship. We hope these tips will help you enjoy your stay with your furry friend.
Author Bio:
Tobias Foster is a journalist and editor at custom essay writing service, bestessays.com.au and college paper reviews with more than 5 years’ work experience and big ambitions. Philosophy, marketing, and business are his passion, and he has a wealth of knowledge in that field. He is a master of his craft.