How Dogs Take Care of You and Ways to Return their Love
February 9, 2022
Written by: Perfect Petzzz
How Dogs Take Care of You and Ways to Return their Love
Dogs are loveable as pets, but owners know that they are far more than that. They're family members with sixth sense and can communicate with their owners telepathically. They are great companions and give unconditional love.
Dogs bring a lot more benefits to you that you don't know. Because they're a big part of your life, you'll surely want to take care of them too. We've provided a list of what you can do to ensure that your dog receives as much care as they give to you. Let's check them out!
The Many Ways Dogs Take Care of You
Those who take care of you do not always take human forms; sometimes, they appear as furry animals who love to stay around and play with you. Often, the support and love that we need are given by dogs. If you are thinking of getting one, here are the many benefits you will reap by having dogs around.
Keep You Company
Stop dwelling on being alone and lonely because with dogs, you will always have a companion. Unlike people, dogs will always be there for you, waiting for you when you get home and wagging their tails to bid you goodbye when you head out.
They are also reliable companions both indoors and outdoors. You won't have to worry about not having someone to do your plans with; your paw friend will always be with you.
Make You Feel Loved
Hugs will often come in the form of dog cuddles and licks, which is their way of showing their love and affection. They give you cuddles when you are sad and are giddy when you are happy. What better way to show love than to be there just when you need them. They won't be able to utter the words I love you, but you'll see how sensitive they are to your needs.
Manage Your Stress and Anxiety
Our bodies have hormones like oxytocin and cortisol. Oxytocin induces the feeling of “love” while cortisol are stress hormones that increase when the body feels anxious. When you play or pet your dog, you keep your cortisol low and your oxytocin high.
Studies have shown that individuals with mental health concerns like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and mood disorders find relaxation from dogs. Even care homes and hospitals know the delightful effects of dogs, so they use it to entertain sick patients and residents of care homes.
Encourage You to Exercise
Dogs also keep you physically active through regular dog walks. You can even make every walk exciting by choosing different trails and tracks with lush trees and streams. This way, you burn calories while exploring joyfully with your companion. One interesting fact is that dog owners are 200 minutes a day more active than non-dog owners! Can you imagine how many calories you can burn in a year at this rate?
Unbridle Your Friendly Side
Some find it difficult to open a new topic and talk to a new acquaintance, but with dogs, you can find a common denominator between you and them. After all, dogs are undoubtedly an exciting topic to talk about. This is helpful not only for adults but also for kids. Children with dogs find it easier to relate with their peers because they have someone to talk with growing up.
Build an Appealing Aura
They say a smile is your greatest asset, but research shows that the key to look appealing when looking for a future partner is to have dogs! It turns out that individuals browsing in dating websites stay in a profile longer when the images featured contain dogs. So to attract a future date, you know what to do!
Moreover, when you meet these virtual “friends,” you'll have an instant topic to talk about—your dogs! Movies often show how dogs are matchmakers, and they turn out to be true.
Serve in Many Ways
Some dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities and special needs. These dogs are called service dogs, and their primary function is to help the deaf, blind, and people with disabilities.
They are trained to act when there are sound alarms to protect their deaf owners. Meanwhile, dogs for the visually impaired lead their owners to the right path to avoid any roadblocks and dangers. For individuals with mental and physical disabilities, dogs are stress relievers and assist in doing simple tasks.
Give Life Meanings
Caring for others makes life more meaningful, and with dogs, you can fulfill this goal. Even the simple ways of caring for your dog, such as bathing, feeding, and walking them, make you realize your worth. It is an assurance that you still have a purpose in life—ensuring that your dog is always healthy and energetic. When your dogs show affection for your efforts in caring for them, you know that life is still worth living, and someone is grateful you are alive.
Recompense the Love: Caring for Your Dog
There are a lot of benefits in having dogs, and if you reflect on it personally, there are endless gains your dog has been contributing to your life. The least you can do to recompense the love is to provide them with the same care they give to you. How so? Here are the ways:
Making Their Space Homey
Start by simply creating a space for them inside and outside your home. Pamper them by providing them with cushioned beds, feeding bowls, and drinking bottles in one area. You can also set up a dog play area with simple obstacles outside. If your dog has a house outdoors, creating a homey landscape will surely excite them to use the space and relax! Give them the board and lodging they deserve.
Keeping Their Meals Healthy
Aside from a cozy place, give your dogs healthy meals. It's important that you know about the toxic treats and excellent food for dogs. Here are some of them:
Good Food for Dogs
Carrots
Apple
White rice
Fish
Chicken meat
Pork
Turkey
Bananas
Cucumbers
Toxic Food for dogs
Avocado
Onions
Garlic
Alcohol
Chocolates
Coffee and tea
Bones
Grapes
It is best to give them food dedicated to them instead of food scraps. Ready-made and perfectly formulated dog food are excellent treats as well.
Exercising Their Minds and Body
Dogs are one of the smartest and toughest animals on earth. They are part of the police force solving crimes and catching criminals. So don't underestimate your dogs' capabilities—improve them instead through mind and body exercises.
You can give them dog puzzle toys, which are readily sold almost everywhere, or you can do DIY games like finding the treats and learning new tricks. Teach them to sit, roll, run, and even do mathematics by barking. Have the patience to teach; the longer your coaching diligence, the more they learn.
Keep Them Clean and Groomed
Another simple way to show care for your dog is to keep them clean and well-groomed. Set a schedule when you'll bathe them, trim their nails, brush their teeth, and give them a haircut. A clean dog is a dog free from illnesses, so make sure they are always clean either by doing it yourself or delegating them to professional dog groomers.
Cuddles are also better when your dogs smell good and are free from dirt. You can even go the extra mile of buying dog clothing to make your canines posh.
Training Them Good Habits
Training your dogs good habits will benefit you, your neighbors, and any place you go to. You can begin with simple commands like the following:
Sit
Watch
Down
Come
Drop it
Stay
Leave it
Other essential habits to your dogs:
Potty training
Leash or dog house time
Leash walking
To train dogs, reward treats are essential. Every time they do the command right, you can give them a treat. This is to condition their minds that they will receive rewards if they do something correctly.
Care for Different Seasons
Dogs, like human beings, also need extra and specific care, especially when the season changes. During summer and warmer seasons, give them plenty of water and even iced ones for them to drink and bathe them often to release some body heat. When walking outdoors, watch out for asphalt roads as they are too hot.
On the other hand, when winter comes, make sure to keep them warm. Ice, like asphalt, can burn dog paws, too, so keep them indoors when snow is thick.
Preparing Indoor Activities
Aside from caring for your dog, you must be busy with daily work and errands. On weekdays, your hours are taken up staying in the office, and your dog is left at home. But if you can, head home for lunch to check up on your paw friend. However, if the schedule does not allow it, you can leave all essentials for the day ready, like food, water, and shelter, to ensure your dog has everything they need.
Allowing Outdoor Exploration
After the time they spent indoors or leashed, make sure to give some outdoor dog time for fun and exercise. There is more to outdoor dog activities than simply walking them. Here are some ideas you'll also find exciting!
Biking
A beach trip
Photowalk
Swimming
Having a picnic
Camping
Scavenger hunt
Puppy dog treat party
Visiting dog parks
Walking with other dogs
Dog classes
Playing fetch
Hiking
Boat rides
Playing frisbee
Doing art
There are plenty more you can do with your dog. If you are an adventure seeker yourself, your paw friend is an instant companion.
Ready to Care For Your First Dogs?
Taking care of dogs sounds like a whole lot of fun, and it has beneficial effects on your overall well-being too. If you are ready to welcome them in your home and in your arms, here are the best breeds to care for.
Small But Lovable Dog
If it is your first time caring for dogs, choosing small and low-maintenance ones would be an excellent choice. These dogs may be small, but their capacity for companionship and affection is no less than giant breeds. Some breeds you can check are a Dachshund, Basset Hound, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, or a French Bulldog.
Huge But Friendly Dogs
Meanwhile, if you want bigger dogs, there are a lot of gentle giants you can take care of. Note that larger breeds may not be as active as medium and smaller ones. Nevertheless, they will care for and love you just the same. You can take care of a Labrador, Samoyed, Afghan Hound, Sheepdog, Bull Terrier, or a Chow Chow.
Practice Caring Through Perfect Petzzz
If you need some time to adjust to having pets, Perfect Petzzz would be an excellent choice. They offer lifelike pet toys you can practice with while you are preparing to have real cats and dogs. You can pet them for relaxation and even hear them snore! Below are the following breeds you can choose from:
Alaskan Husky
Beagle
Black and white kitten
Black Labrador
Collie
Calico kitten
Cavalier King Charles
Chihuahua
Chocolate Labrador
Cocker Spaniel
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Orange Tabby kitten
Pitbull
Pug
Shih Tzu
Poodle
Yorkie
These pets are perfect for individuals with busy schedules and do not have time to follow a feeding, cleaning, grooming, and caring routine. You can now take care of cats and dogs, even if you have allergies or fear of being scratched or bitten.
You can cuddle and pet these handcrafted animals as a form of relaxation, and they will still give you a lifelike feel because of their looks and breathing. Aside from the handmade toys, Perfect Petzzz also has accessories and toys to complete the experience of having a pet.
In Closing
Dogs are often referred to as man's best friend. As humans, we have a responsibility to take care of our furry friends in return for the love they give us. Reciprocate your dog's affection and show them that their devotion is appreciated by repaying the love with thoughtful gestures. The more you care for your dogs, the more they will reciprocate—a loving relationship that has been built on trust and loyalty from both sides.
But if you aren't ready to practice affection on real dogs, you always have Perfect Petzzz handcrafted animals as a starter. You can enjoy the same benefits real dogs bring, and you can care for them too. You can try them out before switching to tiny and huge breeds of real dogs.
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