It isn't easy these days to manage a schedule that includes work, family, personal activities, and your pet. Unfortunately, your dog may end up at the bottom of the list on the really tough days. Not because your dog isn't deeply loved. Unfortunately, a chaotic lifestyle makes it impossible to fit everything in.
How to bond with your dog when life is so busy is challenging to figure out. However, your pet needs enriching activities to maintain well-being and happiness. You need to find a way to include mental stimulation, physical exercise, and attention into your dog's daily routine, but you don't know how. We are here to help you with a guide to activities that can fulfil those needs in your dog's life while fitting them in with your hectic schedule.
How a Busy Lifestyle can have Negative Effects on your Dog
- Physical Health
- Exercise and outdoor time that's needed to stay healthy can be impacted by your busy life. Lack of exercise can lead to your pet being overweight or even obese, leading to health problems such as diabetes, joint issues, liver disease, and heart disease.
- Diet: Are you so busy that you prefer to avoid stopping at the pet store to get your dog's usual food? Instead, you find it quicker and easier to pick up a bag of anything from the grocery store. We've all been there. Does your schedule interfere with your pet's feeding schedule? Both of these things can lead to obesity, problems with digestion, and other health issues.
- Mental Health
- Boredom: If your dog is left alone for long periods of time, it can lead to separation anxiety and stress, which can lead to digging, chewing, and excessive barking. Calming dogs is an art, and you need to be proficient at it.
Decreased Socialisation: Dogs that are alone too long and miss out on socialisation with people and other dogs can become aggressive or fearful and have trouble adjusting to new situations.
- Emotional Health
- Bonding: Your bond with your precious pet can be affected if you spend less time together or less time actively doing things together. Learning how to bond with your dog despite a busy schedule is paramount. Human companionship is vital to dogs; they thrive on it.
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs: This is becoming an increasingly common problem. If a dog develops separation anxiety, behaviours such as excessive vocalisation, pacing, or destructive chewing may occur. Calming dogs is very important.
- Behavioural Issues
- Attention-seeking Behaviour: If dogs feel neglected, they may begin jumping, nudging, or whining to get attention.
- Reactivity: Not being socialised or properly exercised can lead to aggression, fearfulness, or other difficulties in public places.
- Over-grooming: Elimination problems, hiding, pacing, and decreased appetite can be signs of stress.
- Health Check-ups
- Periodic Vet Visits: It is crucial for your pet to be checked by your veterinarian regularly, especially when you notice something is a little off. A hectic schedule can lead to health issues that, if caught early, can be treated successfully.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/small-training-sessions-training-ideas-for-busy-people/
Natural Pet Wellness
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to keep your dog happier and avoid the adverse effects of your busy schedule. The ones mentioned below are holistic and don't involve giving your dog harmful medications.
- Mindfulness Walks
A mindful walk with your dog is a great way to start your day. Mindful means taking your time, not rushing, but letting your dog sniff and explore at his own pace. This is not about exercise; although it helps, it also provides mental stimulation. You can both start your day on a positive note.
- Interactive Feeding
Mental stimulation can also be provided by using puzzle feeders. This will require your dog to work for its food, using problem-solving skills. You can make sure your pet can be mentally engaged even when you are pressed for time.
- Enrichment Games
It's worth the investment to purchase a variety of toys and games. They can keep your playful pup busy all day. Some toys require your dog to figure out how to get a healthy treat. Hide-and-seek games involve you placing treats around the house for your dog to find. Start with easy locations, then increase the difficulty.
Snuffle mats work along the same lines. They have hiding places where you can place treats. Other toys that make noise, move, or dispense treats, such as squeaky toys, tug toys, and toys with hidden compartments, will also keep your dog's mind occupied.
- Scent Work Classes
Consider enrolling your dog in a scent work class. The goal is to teach dogs to track down different scents (such as essential oils). This can be lots of fun for both of you.
- Training
Consider setting up a miniature agility course in your backyard where your dog can get some exercise and mental stimulation. This can be a great answer to the question of how to bond with your dog. Teach new tricks and practice obedience commands
- Frozen Treats
Treats or toys frozen in ice can keep your dog entertained as they lick and chew on the ice.
Daycare and Playdates
Enrolling your dog in a doggy daycare is one of the best things you can do for it. Having regular times to interact with other dogs, play, and be outside will make most dogs incredibly happy. The daycare may offer structured activities that help with their emotional needs and provide exercise.
Play dates with friends and their dogs are another great way to increase exercise and socialisation.
Relaxation and Massage:
Massaging your dog's muscles for a few minutes daily can offer several positive benefits, including bonding, relaxation, stress reduction, and comfort.
- First, create a relaxing environment. Dim the lights, turn on calming music, and consider a diffuser with a drop of essential oil such as lavender.
- Speak to your dog in a quiet, comforting voice, and start by petting him gently. See how they react before you proceed.
- Increase the pressure of your hands on your dog's muscles gradually. Continue to increase the pressure gradually.
- The shoulders, neck, back, and hips may have tension. Other areas may include the legs, paws, chest, and belly. Circular motions or kneading can help relieve tension.
- If your dog shows any signs of discomfort, stop and consult your veterinarian.
- Keep sessions short and positive by talking reassuringly throughout the massage.
Outdoor Adventures
Of course, you can't do it every weekend, but schedule an outing to the mountains, beach, or just a long stroll through a park as often as possible. It will be good for both of you. These outings offer exercise, promote mental and emotional well-being, and allow your dog to reconnect with their primal instincts.
How to Bond with Your Dog
Above all else, simply spending time together is the best way to bond and keep your canine friend healthy and happy. Cuddling on the couch, playing in the backyard, or taking a mindful walk are precious moments for both of you. Being with your dog and paying close attention to him is the most meaningful gift you have to offer.
Tips for Integrating Natural Pet Wellness into a Busy Schedule
It can be challenging to fit pet wellness activities and care into your hectic schedule, but it's possible. Here are some tips:
- Make an actual schedule before you start putting your activities on the schedule. When you can, prioritise your beloved pet. Make the schedule consistent and include feeding, exercise, playtime, and grooming as priorities. Consistency is key.
- Make exercise a priority: Schedule playtime, interactive games, and daily walks even if you can only devote a short time to each.
- Combine activities: Have a podcast you have to listen to? Do it while taking your dog for a walk. Use mealtime for mental stimulation or training. Find as many ways to combine things as you can.
- Hire Pet Services: Utilise a dog walker, pet sitting service, or doggy daycare.
- Plan Ahead: Plan veterinary appointments, grooming appointments, and play dates well ahead of time. Use your calendar to keep track of important things.
- Involve family members or roommates and delegate responsibilities.
- Go shopping or go online and purchase those interactive toys and puzzles to keep your dog entertained all day.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/pets/29-tips-for-busy-dog-owners/ss-AA1nxiai#image=30
You can’t do it all at once, but can add something new each week. Indeed, balancing a busy schedule is daunting. However, it's essential to prioritise your dog's holistic well-being. It may be easier than you think, and you may have improved your well-being simultaneously.
Eco-Friendly Pet Care
While caring for your pet naturally, it's important to also care about the environment. Adopt practices and use products that minimise environmental impact. Here are some tips for practising eco-friendly pet care.
- Adopting pets from shelters or rescues helps reduce the demand for pet breeding, which impacts animal welfare issues and reduces overpopulation.
- Spay or Neuter Your Pet. This lowers the number of animals in shelters and helps reduce the number of unplanned litters, thereby decreasing the strain on resources and reducing euthanasia rates.
- Sustainable Pet Food. Select organic, locally sourced, or humanely raised ingredients. Consider purchasing in large quantities to reduce packaging waste.
- Reduce Plastic Waste. Instead of buying plastic pet products, opt for bamboo, hemp, or recycled materials. When you're cleaning up after your pet, use biodegradable waste bags.
- Do It Yourself Products. Use upcycled materials or items you have at home to create your pet toys and accessories.
- Use natural and non-toxic cleaning products.