Beat the Holiday Blues! Celebrate the Season with Your Dog
For most of us, this holiday season will be a bit different than normal. Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives, including the way we celebrate the holidays. If you find yourself feeling disconnected or lonely, you aren’t alone. But thankfully, dogs are great companions and, together, you and your furry friend can still celebrate the season in style.
If it’s gloomy, cold, and wet outside, why not try dancing with your dog? It’s a great way to combat the blues! Dancing with your dog is easy and it’s a simple way to sneak some much-needed play into your day. In fact, this kind of play supports a positive mood, stimulating your brain to release comforting neuro-chemicals - and, as you might expect, it does the same thing for your dog. Best of all, there’s no wrong way to do it. Just turn on your favorite tune and see what your dog thinks of your dance moves (hint: if you toss an occasional treat to your dog while dancing, he’s certain to find your moves fetching).
Holidays usually mean lots of good food and sharing cookies or treats with friends and family. Why not share a snack with your dog? My dog’s current snack of choice is dried bananas, which I also happen to love. First, I eat a piece, then I ask him to give me a sit or a down and feed him a bite. Not only is snacking together enjoyable, but your dog will also be practicing polite sits and downs around the distraction of someone eating - great practice for when we’re all allowed to socialize again. And while it may not seem super romantic to you, your dog will definitely love you more if you feed him snacks often.
Feeling bored? Teaching tricks is a fun way to pass the time indoors and provides great mental stimulation for both you and your dog. Tricks can be simple or complicated depending on your experience and that of your dog. The goal here is to have an enjoyable interaction, more than to master any specific skill. Focus on making these training sessions fun for your dog by rewarding him with his favorite food treats. Not sure what trick to start with? Leg weaving is simple and fun; check out how to get started HERE.
If the weather’s nice, head out with your dog to explore the great outdoors. Most dogs love to spend time at the beach or in nature where there are lots of good smells to sniff and trails to traverse. Nature can offer you and your dog a calm and quiet setting in which to take a break from the day-to-day stress of urban life. Moving your body is healthy, not just for your body, but also for your mind. The same rules apply for your dog. Endorphins for a double win!
Need a hug? This pandemic has created lots of hug-deprived people. While it’s true that most dogs don’t enjoy being hugged, you can teach your dog to hug you. Service dogs are taught to apply chest pressure to help calm an anxious owner and you can play around with a version of this trick at home with your dog. Teaching your dog to offer chest pressure puts the dog in control of the interaction and can be soothing for people. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone and you can get your fill by working on this skill together. Check it out HERE.
The last fun exercise I encourage you to try is the down/stay/squat routine. Proper squat form varies from person to person but the main points to keep in mind are to stand with your feet facing forward, shoulder width apart, and slowly lower yourself down while keeping your weight centered over your feet and your torso straight. Once you find your squat position, it’s time to do double duty and get in your dog’s down/stay practice for the day. Try it out HERE. This exercise will keep your hips and ankles strong and your dog’s manners sharp. Happy hips and polite pooches make for a festive time all year round, yes?
This holiday season will be different, no doubt, but you can still enjoy celebrating with your furry friend. Just remember the words of Roger Caras: “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our life whole.”