Ambassador Highlight | 5 Things That Helped Me Become a Better Dog Mom
Being a pet parent is not the easiest role, but it is very rewarding. I am the mom to two beautiful dogs and that have quite the lineage. They are a father and son duo named Goon and Murphy. My first was Goon and he was very well-trained but when Murphy came around, the challenges started all over again. The puppy phase can be the hardest part of dog parenting and going through it twice can be a lot. Most people treat their dogs the same as their actual kids but getting to the point of a healthy and functioning family with fur-ever pals isn’t always an easy journey. Here’s 5 tips that helped me become a better dog mom.
1. Be Eager to Help Them Learn
If you’ve already gone through the puppy phase, you remember what it was like getting a brand-new addition to the family. You probably were full of excitement to teach them everything you possibly could while giving them every ounce of your love! But you can’t forget that your second addition will want the same amount of attention and guidance. If you’re a new dog parent, my best advice is to spend time with your pup. Let them get familiar with you and be a part of your daily routine. At any age, they just want to be by your side and be your best friend!
2. Be Prepared
Just like humans, dogs can be uncomfortable in new situations. It’s never a bad idea to be over-prepared. My boys are amazing car riders and we haven’t had any issues with them in a long time but things do happen. The other day, we were traveling down the interstate on a road trip and a semi-truck honked its horn right next to us. Let’s just say this, if we didn’t have the extra blanket for them to lay on in the backseat, we would have spent a fortune cleaning up the accident our youngest had from being spooked. My trick is to always pack extra blankets, treats and food because you never really know what could happen.
3. Explore
Dogs may seem content with a backyard and a few toys, but don’t forget that they want to see different parts of the world too! Dogs are natural born explorers. They love new smells and most of them enjoy making new friends. Take a Sunday afternoon trip to a coffee shop or dog park and let them roam. If you’re into hiking, take a day trip to your favorite trail. They’ll be happy and may even play hard enough to take a nice long nap when you get home. A happy dog = a healthy dog!
4. Proper Food
Before Goon and Murphy had Triumph Pet Food, they would be in the backyard munching on grass or chewing on random things Though some dogs just enjoy the taste of grass, our dogs were trying to tell us that their bodies were lacking nutrients and weren't fond of what they were being fed. Quality food is so important in the wellness and temperament of your dog. Once we gave them Triumph, they were eating regularly and stopped trying to eat grass. They’ve been more energetic and our oldest is a lot livelier. You can see a difference in how they interact with us and each other at home. Give your dogs premium meals just like you do for yourself at home!
5. Respect Them
Being a dog isn’t all face licks and tail wags. It can be scary if your human expects you to be obedient 100% of the time. All dogs have their own unique personalities with differing likes and dislikes. Take the time to understand your pup as an individual, and that there may be some things that they’re nervous about or don’t understand. Whatever it is, don’t force anything on them. They want to please you - but give them the opportunity to ease into an environment or new experience. If you respect their boundaries, they’ll only show you more love!
