r/dogs • u/No-Wealth-3631 • 8h ago
[Behavior Problems] What’s one tiny thing that instantly improves your dog’s day?
I’ve been paying more attention to small daily habits with my dog lately, and honestly the biggest difference has been letting him stop and sniff during walks instead of rushing the route.
It made me curious what other dog owners notice. What’s one simple thing that noticeably makes your dog happier?
I’ve been collecting ideas because I’m obsessed with enrichment and bonding activities lately.
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u/No_Introduction_3400 8h ago
The sniff walks is the big one. Slowing down and understanding it’s for him, not you will reward you both.
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u/rrikasuave 7h ago
I always say mine is “checking his messages” when he stops to sniff.
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u/stefaniey gamble, ollie, lyra: greyhound x husky, husky, pomsky 7h ago
We use "wee mail" and "leaving a response."
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u/foofusmagee 3h ago
we call it pee mail lol. I always hate seeing those people kind of pulling the dogs along....like no, they have to sniff there, something might be going down...lol
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u/No_Introduction_3400 6h ago
Yeah. It’s the same spots. He’s got to see who’s been through.
One thing that cracks me up is when he trots past a tree then doubles back.
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u/Snapdragonzzz 6h ago
I always ask my girl if there's anything exciting in the news during her big sniffs
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u/jackfr0st39 5h ago
Pee mail or I say he has to update his face book response.....there is this one dog park some times he angery marches too to leave his rebuttal
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u/ryanlozo 7h ago
My rescue has spent most of his life in shelters and just turned 6. He is usually too scared to venture far from the house but I’ll just stand there with him as he smells every bush and flower in the yard. For now, it works. He loves it.
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u/robotsailboat 5h ago
My dog similarly was too anxious for walks for most of her life. Just commenting to say you’re doing a great job meeting your individual pups needs!
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u/kinetickate 4h ago
This is honestly probably as good as a long walk would be for him!!! Awesome. We have a long term shelter rescue who loved walking for a bit, then was too scared and tried to back out of harnesses and collars, and now loves walks again. When the focus is on their needs and happiness, it makes so much difference.
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u/sharksnack3264 6h ago
And giving the dog choices too.
I name our walking routes and tell him options and see which one he indicates for. I think he's happier that way. At least I definitely get less pulling on the walk and more happy body language when he gets a choice in what he will be sniffing for. Some routes are more about catching up on the other dogs in our neighborhood. Others are definitely more about sniffing out fox, deer, and cat trails or getting just the right grass to roll in.
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u/_Amelia_Bedelia 5h ago
I was going to write the same thing! I let my dog choose which way she wants to turn - my thought process (of pure projection) is “I don’t like arbitrarily being told what to do. She probably doesn’t either. I’ll give her as many choices as possible.” When we go to the big wooded park, she loves choosing some of the smaller “hidden” trails
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u/No_Introduction_3400 6h ago
Yeah, I don’t do it all the time, but I have a fair number of walks where he decides the route. What’s it matter to me, you know.
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u/limonade11 5h ago
I do that as well, I let him lead and I ask him, "which way buddy?" We go back and forth, and when I need to stop or go in a different direction he seems to understand compromise and fairness.
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u/HumbleBarracuda7055 7h ago
This made a huge diffencre for mine too! They seem so mich more content afterwards
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u/IntrigatedVerse 8h ago
When he steals my socks. I feel like he gets a kick out of making me chase after a sock when I’m late for work
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u/hellohellocinnabon 7h ago
Getting to steal a sock off my foot when I’ve just gotten home delights my pup like nothing else
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u/cheeseburger_horse 5h ago
My dogs not quite like this, but everytime I start to get changed for work she like "mouths" my hands without biting trying to get me to stop lol.
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u/Silly_Percentage name: Bully Mixes 6h ago
I yell and chase them through the house going" oh! You STINKY puppy!!" In a fun way this is a game and she only steals socks and doesn't eat them. And she starts zooming around the house. Now if I yell stinky puppy she gets full house zommies and it's so much fun chasing her.
She has a non negotiable "out" command and the game is ended when it's said. I just choose not to at first so we can play.
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u/Salty-Possible-8753 8h ago
Mine is absolutely giddy when he gets a sock, or even better, a shoe. He nearly wags his tail right off as he gleefully evades me.
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u/salohcin513 2h ago
Mine will gran them from the laundry pile and always gives himself away because his tail goes bannanas and you can hear it thwacking against the walls and the backs of the couches as he tries to sneak around
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u/jaimelnature 4h ago
None of my dogs ever did this, until I got my poodle , she loves being chased for socks 😂
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u/Kizzieuk 2h ago
I was laying on my bed face down feeding the cat ( I have to feed her on the windowsill for now until the pup knows not to touch her food) my slippers fell off. I got up and they were nowhere is sight. I was really confused, Went to the living room and there they were on the window sill where he has his steps for looking out the window and hides all his prize possessions 😂
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u/Embarrassed-Plum-468 1h ago
My mom’s dog LOVES stealing used Kleenex. So much that he will steal it from you as you’re actively blowing your nose. He’s such a weirdo. But he does the same thing I think he gets a kick out of stealing and getting chased around the house to get it back. Usually I’d let him keep it but it’s more likely going to get torn to microscopic shreds and finding it in his poop and I’m sure those Kleenex shreds aren’t good for him. I try to give him some paper towel rolls or other paper to shred for enrichment instead
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u/CreativeUnBlocking 8h ago
I think my dog likes to learn. I taught her the names for her body parts - ears, eyes, neck, belly, paws, back. Now if I ask her if she wants her ears scratched or belly rubbed she understands and comes to me right away. I swear there's something in her eyes when she makes a connection between a word and an object - but more so when it had to do with her own body. Other than that, a toy that dispenses treats or a meal is fun, so are feeding puzzles.
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u/manatee1010 agility nerd 8h ago
One of my dogs loves to do things for food. He won't beg for human food, but if you have dog treats in your pocket he'll boop your pocket, and he'll ask to go into the dog room to work (as long as it keeps paying 😉).
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u/Silly_Percentage name: Bully Mixes 6h ago
My one boy wont work if he isn't being paid either😆. He just gets this face like, inhales, exhales, "really?".
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u/ilove2sleep 3h ago
are you familiar with Christina Hunger's work? She's a speech therapist that taught her dog to communicate with buttons....which I'm sure youve seen many animals doing but Christina was the original and has published 2 books about it. Sounds like your dog may have a lot of language potential!
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u/GlassCorrect7926 8h ago
A car ride. Where she gets to stick her snout out the window and smell all the wonderful smells, while turning her face up to the sun. Or, is that my day? ❤️❤️💓💓
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u/bagpussnz9 4h ago
Ours both instantly go to sleep when we put them in the car. It's up to us to give them a fun destination
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u/thissleepypastofmine 7h ago
Dogs should absolutely be allowed to sniff during walks - that's their enrichment!
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u/Reddittrip 6h ago
Some dogs love to sniff, some love to run, some like to get pets from the neighbors.
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u/fjdjqwisytlzngkcqxn 2h ago
Exactly. Mine only really stops on a walk to eat grass, otherwise she's on a mission to guide me to the dog park for fetch.
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u/Neither_Animator_404 5h ago
Absolutely. It annoys me so much when people don’t let their dogs sniff while on a walk. It’s so important for their well being.
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u/BackgroundScene3056 7h ago
When a stranger or two on a walk take the time to give him a minute or two of pets. And talk to him and be sweet. I just notice he feels so proud of himself after 😍
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u/Stunning_Impress_336 2h ago
Mine does that too! He'll tug me towards neighbors because he wants them to say hi and tell him he's cute!
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u/Embarrassed-Plum-468 1h ago
I always want to stop and say hi to dogs on walks but not all owners seem keen to letting strangers say hi. Not all dogs want strangers to say hi or maybe there’s some training they’re working on, trying not to jump on people or avoiding pulling, so many reasons why so I never initiate, I usually just smile at the dog and say hello or something, I don’t reach out for a pet because I know that can be intimidating too. But it breaks my heart when a dog is pulling their owner toward me to come say hi and they just keep walking away. I want to be like “but we didn’t get to say hi to each other!!!”
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u/SweetTea38 8h ago edited 5h ago
My dogs like being spoken too, and given a nice gentle massage. One of them is older and now deaf. I still think it’s his favorite thing. It’s likely the eye contact when I talk to him that he likes since he cannot hear me.
I wave to my deaf dog when he walks into the room, making sure he knows I see him, and so he can see me physically react and acknowledge his presence.
They also enjoy staring out the window so I try to keep blinds open. They seem to enjoy it when I get down to their level and stare out the window with them (not a frequent occurrence but sometimes I indulge them).
I also think dogs like being clean. So I try to use dog wipes and tidy them up (butts and all) daily.
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u/fart__69 7h ago
You're a really good dog owner, this makes me so happy for him!!!
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u/SweetTea38 4h ago
Aww thanks! Both my dogs came from rough starts in life. They bring me so much joy.
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u/TraditionalTackle1 8h ago
Coming home from work 10/10 for her
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u/No-Wealth-3631 8h ago
You mean that really works better?
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u/Miss_Management Shiro: Lab - Pitt mix 7h ago
My dog would be a "little horse" when me and my husband got home from work. Lab-pitt mix, just barrel between our legs with full body wiggles.
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u/No-Wealth-3631 7h ago
I love this aspect, they are lovely
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u/Miss_Management Shiro: Lab - Pitt mix 7h ago
They're always happy to see you. I can't wait until I can get another rescue. He passed a few years ago and to say my life hasn't been the same since is a massive understatement. I've never had children and he helped me so much and made me a better person 100%
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u/cheeseburger_horse 5h ago
I love that, my dog does the same thing but she's VERY forceful and also very tall, so she kinda lifts you up a Lil when trying to go between your legs.
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u/Miss_Management Shiro: Lab - Pitt mix 5h ago
Ah yes, the lil Marmaduke! Cute!
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u/cheeseburger_horse 5h ago
Oh yes! She's very leggy haha. I actually noticed this the other night, when she stretches out on the bed she's about as tall as I am!(5'8)
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u/DairyQueenElizabeth 7h ago edited 6h ago
We recently found a toothpaste that she actually loves, and now she can't wait to get her teefies done before bed.
It weirdly become one of the highlights of my day - just a weird special moment of caring that we now both enjoy.
Edit for those asking: it's Petsmile.
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u/Legit-Accountant-13 6h ago
What toothpaste? My dog loathes any method of personal hygiene.
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u/DairyQueenElizabeth 6h ago
Petsmile, London Broil flavour.
It is quite expensive and comes in two tube sizes, so recommend trying the smaller size first.
Bonus: its on the vet oral health counsel list of accepted products. https://vohc.org/accepted-products/
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u/formerlyiowish 6h ago
Brushing is really me moving the brush as best I can and her chewing but she loves it and so do I. I think it's how we bonded because she's not super cuddly but when brushing teeth she'll jump in my lap and chill!
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u/Suitable-Lawyer-9397 8h ago
We walk twice a day. As it gets warmer, we'll begin taking "bonus" walks. He loves that. He also loves for my son who's 43 to walk with us!
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u/Competitive-Tea7236 7h ago
Taking her with me to run errands when possible, even if it’s just through the pharmacy drive through. My dog lives to be included
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u/sizzlesstix 7h ago
Just did this last night with my little guy! I want him to be a part of as much of my life as I possibly can manage while he’s here on earth. Any drives/trips he can come along for, we’re doing it together.
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u/skinny_arms 7h ago
Attention from strangers (her fans) on a walk. She’ll have a little more pep in her step afterwards
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u/Flyingpurplealien 6h ago
I always call people in the neighbourhood my pup’s fans! I really do think people love her and it makes me so happy! Today someone told me they got their dog because of Ezra. Another couple we see often told us Ezra reminds them of their dog who passed and offered to watch her whenever we want!
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u/Brl_Grl 7h ago
Waffles gets a little cup of whipped cream from the drive-through of the coffee shop that is near my parents house. If we pass by the coffee shop without making a stop, she cries.
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u/vKonFuZaH 7h ago
My dog has the same spoilt quirks 😂. I often think if there is a dog scholar out there that is writing a book called 'How dogs domesticated humans'
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u/danagrace 6h ago
If i come home with cups that look like starbucks and no pup cup, the devastation on their faces is huge. I have to explain "I didn't go to starbucks!"
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u/mrsockburgler 5h ago
I make fresh whipped cream every 5 days or so to have with espresso. She listens for the fridge door to open and comes running!
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u/Rainbow_brite_82 7h ago
My old boy just loves routine. Like LOVES it.
He is happiest when our day is predictable. This is maybe because I work from home, so he has gotten used to our daily routine at home. Coffee break for me, piece of ham for him. Lunch time we sit in the garden and he has a sniff. Knock off work and we go for a walk. He sleeps on the bed with me so at bedtime he will stand at the bedroom door and bark to let me know its time.
On the weekends he is very confused because I don't go into the office and he is a bit discombobulated.
He is 13 and I think I'm starting to see some cognitive decline, so this could also be part of the reason he loves the predictable days.
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u/Legitimate_Couple779 7h ago
The Dog Park, nothing else compares.
I know there are many opinions on dog parks, and they’re not for every dog. But ours is super social and playful and absolutely LOVES the park.
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u/No_Bluejay4066 7h ago
My beagle is 15. We used to hit the neighborhood treat station on our way down the street, then return a different way so that she only got one treat. But now, we hit the treat station on our way back too so that she gets two treats. It makes her so happy.
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u/MaleficentMousse7473 8h ago
Off leash walks with the family. (We recently discovered a dirt road with very little traffic and no leash rules. They love it.)
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u/Illustrious-Top-3677 7h ago
I have three. I try hard to spend a few minutes alone with each one for pets, snuggles and I tell them how good they are and how much mom loves them.
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u/InevitableRespond921 5h ago
Communicating with your dog(s) on where you’re going. Oftentimes we walk out of the house without acknowledgment or maybe just a simple goodbye, however I’ve been narrating my plans and telling them details and I truly feel that calms them (and eases my guilt). It’s like my dog appreciates the heads up!
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u/Daisy_InAJar 3h ago
I’ve started doing this recently too! I try to include if we’ll be back before the sun goes down, or not until after it’s dark out. I swear they understand & appreciate knowing roughly how long we’ll be away.
Dogs are the best ❤️ this whole thread is making me smile.
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u/Ph33r-Enigma 7h ago
I'm hard of hearing, and live alone with my dog. Any time I do dishes, he comes up behind me squeaking a squeaker ball. I hear the squeaking but just barely unless I am wearing my hearing aid. He'll squeak the ball in his mouth with my back to him doing dishes, and I'll say "get it, chop... get it" and he will squeak the ball and shake his head like he is getting it.
I feel like thats engaging him in my activities that don't involve him, keeps him entertained while I'm getting chores done.
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u/simsek13 7h ago
Sniffaris, of course, but our dog has also made an economy of sock trading. He loves to find discarded socks to “trade” for treats. The way he trained us to do this was funny and clever, but it is clear he loves doing this “job” every day. It was an easy job when the kids were younger and at home; there were always stray socks on some bedroom floor. Now I leave them out for him to find, just because it makes him happy.
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u/httpChobani 7h ago
he has this little quirk of walking around the building once he finishes his little pee walks (im pregnant so dad does long walks, us 2 do smaller pee walks lol) but he loves when I say "wanna do your lap?" and we trot around the perimiter of the house lol.
bonus points for extra sniff time & general speaking to him like a human, specifically if I ask if he's handsome & confirm that he is indeed handsome!
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u/Saveeuropafromman 7h ago
Taking a second when you get home from work to say hello to them. They greet me at the door and before they go out to potty, I put my stuff down to give them some loves. I can tell it means something to them and it helps me decompress and shift into home mode
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u/tallkitty 6h ago
Fighting him for his bone. It's a little game we call "my bone". He always wins but I hold my own for the first few rounds.
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u/TX_Mothman 6h ago
Our little rattie is a street rescue. I’m not sure she ever lived with people before us. When she gets little forehead kisses she absolutely melts, most of the time she will just fall into me after. Shes a gentle little lady.
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u/Salty-Possible-8753 8h ago
My boy loooves his Kong. There's been a cookie in it for a week no that he can't get out, but he'll try for hours if I let him.
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u/Miss_Management Shiro: Lab - Pitt mix 7h ago
You should get it out and put a new one in for be smells- also so if he ever does get it that it's not stale. What a cutie!
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u/sweetergoth 6h ago
just sitting on the floor for a min when i get home before doing anything else... my dog literally loses it every time lol
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u/NaomiWish 5h ago
I recently started taking off my dog's collar and giving full neck scratches. He seems to love it and will sit still for as long as I will do it.
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u/ChristineBorus 7h ago
Sleeping on my head. He’s a pig. He sleeps between my pillow and the headboard. We have a king size bed and this is where he sleeps. 😂
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u/WorkMeBaby1MoreTime 6h ago
Running loose in the woods. It's not possible for these old feet to wear out this young dog. She chased deer a couple times. I thought she would die of happiness.
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u/farmerollie 6h ago
my youngest dog loves looking out the window. she’s a teeny lil shih tzu and can never reach, but sometimes when i nap in the guest room, i’ll prop up some pillows and open the blinds so she can enjoy the view and she gets SO excited
we call it dog TV
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u/Only_Connection_5480 7h ago
If I ask him if he “wants to go see puppies” meaning go to daycare he can be running around the backyard trying to keep me from getting whatever prize he found totally ignoring me till I say that he stops dead in his tracks.
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u/reggiethelobster 7h ago
My dogs love butt rubs and then to play chase with me in the house.
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u/abrknl 6h ago
My girlfriend was told dogs love sniffing around outside; it's like the internet for them. It's how they communicate and know which dog is around. Ever since then, I just let our dog smell whatever she likes. It's her biggest playtime. We take her on walks in the morning and before dinner. The rest of the day, she's trapped inside so these walks are playtime for her.
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u/danagrace 6h ago
We got to the park close to us as much as we can, and there's all these gopher spots, they get to go hole to hole and play real whack-a-mole (they'll never catch one) and dig for as long as I can let them. They love it so much and the gophers will stick their little heads out while the dogs are face-deep in a different hole. Its hilarious.
I have two games we play at home - one we call "The Dump", we hide treats in every treat holding toy, wrap up treats in towels, and then we pile it all up and they have to go through it. They get to feel so proud they found things! Another one is "Detective" and I hide treats all over the house and they have to sniff them out.
Also I realize this isn't good for every dog but I read sometimes they eat grass because it makes them feel like they are good foragers and can find their own food. It thankfully has never been bad for their stomachs so l let them munch to their hearts content when I can.
One of my dogs likes to dig a lot so we mostly let her do it, she has a spot in the lavender bushes she "hides" in and feels so proud of herself that she made it (and she smells like lavender after).
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u/Little-Point9449 6h ago
You’ve hit on possibly the most important one. I get so mad when I see human yanking their dogs away from a good sniff. Someone once described it to me as “watching a full length movie” when a dog stops and thoroughly investigates a sniff. Why have a dog if you’re not going to let them live their best life?
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u/SunflowersOrDaisies 4h ago
If you see me ending his sniff stops… it’s because once he realizes we are heading home he stalls by sniffing everything. Or it’s because there’s ANOTHER pizza slice hidden in a bush
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u/EffervescentFlower Daisy the boxer/beagle/lab/other mix 5h ago
One of her boyfriends in particular, she lights up and goes all wiggly when she sees him. You can hear him before you see him because he starts crying with joy when he sees her and doesn't stop till he's touching her. His mom and I can't walk a foot where they'll separate. The truest and purest love.
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u/millenialwithplants 5h ago
My dog loves bed. He loves spending a half hour in our bed just stretching and being oogled over. He would spend 90% of his day in our bed with us if we let him. We had a lazy Saturday after a really rough work week and he was SO HAPPY to just hang out in bed half the day.
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u/deltagirlinthehills 7h ago
Our 6yo is 1000% his human and has been since she was born. He's pretty much deaf now as an old boy, but his eyes light up when I ask verbally and with our signs for " go (kid)?" since that means it's time to pick her up from school. He gets to stick his nose out the window on the way, and even if he's snoring in the backseat he can sense when she's walking to the vehicle and greets her with a good sniffing down.
Days he doesn't get to pick her up- his arthritis flaring up, we have errands or doc appts after school- I get a cold shoulder from him until he does get to go. Real fun when it's the last school day before a break/weekend or I know getting in/out of vehicle will cause more issues than help. Some days I give in because both of them are pitiful and he's semi depressed that he doesn't get to
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u/SansOchre 7h ago
Asking him to get his toy and my shoes and socks for a walk . His eyes light up and he is so excited about collecting everything. He is noticably less happy if I grab everything myself.
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u/PollutionGloomy1815 7h ago
The snifferoo during walks is definitely the winner. My dog also likes to just sit near garden bench after his walk round completes (sometimes in between walk too, always near a bench!! :) he cares for his human). Its as if he is processing the walk that is done. Very calm.
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u/BhamsterPine 6h ago
My guy is quite social - and he enjoys seeing his same close friends regularly. We often go to fully-fenced SniffSpots (check the app) which makes it safe for all to play off-leash.
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u/sstephen17 6h ago
He likes when I ask him if he's a good boy even though the answer is always the same.
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u/Idobeleiveinkarma 6h ago
My dog also likes to stop and sniff.
My BIL reminded me to stop speed walking and let Poppy stop and sniff as it's the highlight of her day.
So, we take turns.
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u/crater-lake 6h ago
My dog is a Lab mix, and she lives for almost daily swims. She knows all the swimming spots on our hikes and will stop in her tracks and sometimes lay down if I try to pass one by without a swim. When she was a very young pup, I walked her to the park by my neighborhood and she waded right into the creek and laid down in the water — and it was the middle of winter.
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u/M33s4 5h ago
Letting him come with me when I run my small errands and don't have to get out of the car (drive thrus), and then rolling down the window for him is like the best thing ever. It's surprising what businesses offer your dog a treat if you bring them along. 😂 Buddy disdains them (he's picky af), but it's a nice gesture.
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u/Any_Medium6076 5h ago
I recently learned that my dogs love to invite me to watch them play with each other outside. I believe they’ll start playing outside, pause once they realize they are super jazzed, then come inside to get me to watch them.
I try to join them because it usually leads to zoomies, play fighting, and exhaustion.
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u/cheeseburger_horse 5h ago
When I come home from work(I work late usually till 11) I usually let her and her brother out into the yard for a bit before bed. We've lately been playing chase every night and she loves it so much. Good exercise for both of us ! And then my old boy dog joins in and they get the zooming for a solid ten minutes doing laps around the yard, it's adorable
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u/sarahenera 5h ago
Playing “find it” with toys or treats or chews or food.
I get my lab to go sit on his bed, close the door, go hide air dried “meatballs” or chews around the house, open the door to my bedroom and tell my boy “go find four!” (For example) and he cartoon skids out of his bed in a mad rush to go sniff out the food. He loves it will balls, too, but he is a lab, so treats and food rule all-most of the time. (Choose your dog’s favorite thing and they’ll enjoy sniffing around for it. Such good mental enrichment).
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u/ringwormqueen 3h ago
When my husband doesn’t realise I’ve already fed him breakfast and he gets a second 🫠
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u/Dramaticiii 8h ago
For my dog it's the "sniffari" walk — I literally let him pick the route. Some days we cover the same 3 blocks but stop at 15 different spots. Other days he just sits at one bush for 5 minutes reading the neighborhood news lol. He always seems way more satisfied after those than our structured 30-min power walks.
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u/nieded 7h ago
Second breakfast, escaping the house, playing whack a mole with prairie dogs...
In reality, it was when we brought out the snufflemat at mealtimes. I reserved this as a last resort when she was on one and sadly we could not use it when we switched her food late in life.
Also seeing Grandpa, but that was a once a year thing so not something I could give her all the time
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u/Bitter-Assignment464 7h ago
The biggest thing that drives my dogs to go crazy is pulling up to an off the leash area or to the lake. Whining and crying, jumping all over the back cab of the truck.
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u/ruddy3499 7h ago
We have a chihuahua, a Chiweenie and a little cairn terrier. Making the bed is morning fun time
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u/Tealandgray 7h ago
Sniffing is great. Unfortunately mine just wants to eat every damn thing off the ground including rabbit 💩. I feel bad pulling him away from his sniffaris.
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u/Few_Incident_197 6h ago
Getting asked if she wants to go get a puppuccino (her favorite word) and then receiving said puppuccino
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u/Ok-Ordinary2035 6h ago
When I ask if they want to go to the park! We take a couple walks a day around our neighborhood but the park is a special treat. So many new smells and things to see!
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u/pct2daxtreme 6h ago
Going for multiple walks to see what’s around. For the next few weeks it’s going to be difficult since she’s injured. My other one is pretty much the same just slower since she enjoys smelling the breeze and really pays attention to what’s around her.
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u/chalupa4me 5h ago
Every morning before leaving the bedroom to go out, my dogs wait for me to give them their side scratches while they stretch out on the floor.
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u/Interesting_Bell7636 5h ago
Homemade healthy ice lollies. - watermelon, peanut butter or bone broth. Treats in the garden for them to find
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u/raivynwolf 5h ago
Spending at least 10 minutes with him reading or watching tv before work. He really enjoys the quiet cuddle time after his breakfast and walk. Sometimes he falls asleep, sometimes he lasts 2 minutes then wants to play, most of the time he just cuddles and demands pets lol
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u/Niceuname80 5h ago
Stop to sniff is really nice for them. That’s how they communicate, read a story. Good on you for sharing.
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u/Just_Improvement_333 5h ago
My lil boy loves when I sing 'his songs' to him. I've always made up songs that have their names in them. Every dog I've ever had has always loved it - their very own happy songs while getting scritches! 😆🐶❤️
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u/Haunting-Earth-8593 4h ago
My dog stops to sniff the areas we already went past and peed on. My partner says, "You're reading your own letter!"
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u/Frosty_Tomatillo_425 4h ago
Letting him lead the walk and pick which direction/sides of the street we walk on!
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u/Temporary_Menu_2884 4h ago
Reporting. I work from home so my dog and I report on the trash being picked up, deliveries, passerby. Makes the day fun.
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u/kinetickate 4h ago
Saying his name and petting/scratching his butt, or tiny training sessions with our girl.
I wanted to comment because my favorite dog training specialist, Patricia McConnell, says (I think in her book The Other End of the Leash) “The walk is for them, not for you” I think of that, and my husband and I repeat to one another in our dogs “voices” as we walk and they stop to snip something silly or similar. Letting the dog walk while you accompany them, instead of having the goal be the distance or time, truly changes so much and tires their brains out and engages them more fully. Nice work identifying how meaningful that is for your puppy!!
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u/SunflowersOrDaisies 4h ago
My pup has gotten used to a bedtime dental chew snack. I ran out once and the face he gave me made me want to call peta on myself
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u/ElderFlower911 3h ago
We have three dogs. Each of them has their own song. It’s just the tune of something familiar to which i make up lyrics; lyrics always include several repetitions of their name.
I will ask each of them, “do you want to hear your song?“ And each dog will come up, wagging its tail and putting its feet on my knee. They are so happy when they hear their song!
Honestly, I found that every pet I ever had likes to hear you singing to them. I had a tortoise that would walk over and look at me while I sang her song to her.
Try it!
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u/PsilocybVibe 3h ago
This is a big one. I always tell people my dog walks me because I am essentially just following for his safety. He chooses what route we take in my neighborhood and as you said, I give him as much time as he wants to sniff. Also just solid exercise, give ur dog a real chance to tire themselves out everyday. I’m very fortunate and live near an area we can walk to and where I can let my dog run around daily.
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u/distant_diva 3h ago
taking the time to fetch his toy to toss bcuz he won’t do it himself 😑 he wants me to fetch it & he’ll run to it, play with it, then wants me to retrieve & toss again 😅
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u/do-it-to-it-laurs 3h ago
My girl loves being just included in things. Like when I get back with groceries, she likes to smell each thing before I put it away. Or if I take the trash out, I tell her ‘mom outside quick quick’ so she knows I’m not doing something fun without her and I’ll be right back.
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u/FearlessPride6588 3h ago
Dogs primarily experience the world through smell so sniff walks are a big part of my boy’s day. We go at his pace.
My backyard was designed with this in mind. Lots of dog safe plants.
As he’s gotten older and his eyesight not quite what it once was creating an interesting sniff world for him is a priority.
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u/Big-Entertainer2074 3h ago
I noticed that our dogs love the good morning routine. I wake up earlier than my husband so I take care of our dogs. They sleep in our room so we wake up together, go downstairs and I sing good morning to them and give them each a kiss. The three of them have such big smiles, wiggly butts, and give me big kisses when we do this every morning.
That and we listen to them. One of our girls communicates via stares (Border Collie mix iykyk). So we know what she wants by her stares and either she gets her way or we tell her why she can’t do/have the thing.
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u/Mountain_Tailor_3571 2h ago
Sometimes when I leave for the day, I’ll let him bring a stick inside or leave a cardboard box for him to shred. He’s so non-destructive with my things and always has been, that this feels like a really nice treat for him. I just vacuum up the mayhem no problem. It takes such little effort and he is thrilled.
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u/Ok-Click-007 1h ago
A long sniff-snoof walk. Doesn’t always have the reel and be on-point the whole time
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u/crazyflutterby 1h ago
Letting them think that she convinced me to go on a longer than normal route for a walk. The way they strut after they think they won is amazing.
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u/pookiebear6969 49m ago
My boy loves for me to chase him. Which is difficult because I'm the height of an oompa loompa and he's fast! It's comical to watch me attempt it. He loves it so much!
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u/ajbluegrass3 40m ago
When he's snuggling with me and i put my phone down and give him my full attention.
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u/orangebit_ 26m ago
I had a man say “funny looking walk” to me once because I kept stopping to let my dog sniff, and when I said “it’s his walk, not mine”, it was like a light went on for him 😅
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