Seven ridiculously easy ways to enrich your dog’s life

by animal communicator Sarah Messina

There’s so much more to making dogs happy than food and walks. Dogs, like all other pet species, are intelligent beings. They need stimulation, enrichment, a certain level of equality, autonomy and freedom to make their own choices. As a caretaker, you have a duty to help your pets feel as good as they can as often as possible. Dogs deserve the best quality of life you can provide. And while this ‘care’ extends far beyond basic nutrition and exercise, it’s actually quite easy to enrich your dog’s life. Here are seven ridiculously easy ways to do so:

1. Give them new stuff to sample

   You don't have to spend lots of money to give your dog a new experience. Just offer them something out of their normal experience, like a cardboard box, new food flavour or an interactive toy.

2. iTunes for dogs

   Why not enrich your dog's day with different types of music? Make a playlist of their favourite tunes and play it for them during the day (not too loud). If you don't know what music they like best, you can try classical, jazz, world music, or albums made especially for dogs.

3. Boost their self-esteem

   It's not hard to tell your dog how much you love them. Tell them out loud. Be specific. Tell them exactly why they’re special and why they mean the world to you. Look into their eyes when you talk to them and mean every word you say.

4. Use your loving hands

   Most dogs crave loads of loving touch. Do what they enjoy most, and if you don’t know, experiment. Try calm, still touch, or soothing strokes, gentle scratches or loving hugs. Every dog is different, so find out which spots they prefer you to touch and how.

5. Take them out on a date

   What better way to enrich a dog than to take them out! New destinations provide opportunities for exploration. Or take them to their favourite holiday spots, beaches, dog parks, bushlands, visits to friends, brunch at a dog-friendly café... be creative!

6. Let them be your tour guide

   While you're at it, have your dog take YOU for a walk. Rather than yanking them around, let them choose the pace for once. Give your dog the freedom to choose which paths you walk, which direction and when it's time to go home.

7. Indulge them in something healing

   Animals like to be nurtured on all levels, just like us. Treat them something luxurious like animal massage, healing animal reiki or bowen therapy. Or perhaps you'd like to offer them the chance to talk through animal communication.

These are just a few ideas based on what dogs have told me. There’s so much more you can do to enrich your dog's life. Have a look at how you might be inhibiting your dog or your pet’s personal freedom. Animals are mature individuals with their own wants, needs, preferences and dislikes. Make an effort to move outside the conventional notion of pet/owner relationships. Treat your dog with respect, honour their ability to make their own decisions, and aim to find new ways to enrich their everyday lives.

Sarah Messina is a professional animal communicator and healer for Wild Insights Australia.
If you would like to have an animal communicator talk to your animals, you can book online or contact Sarah today.