This post is brought to you in partnership with Rachael Ray Nutrish.
From treats to long walks, I love spoiling my dogs. The love I get from them is unconditional, so I want to be sure that they feel loved in return. My dogs seem to need lots of special attention, and I suspect that’s the case with most dogs. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of 9 ways to show your dog love, and I am eager to hear some of the ways you show your pups some extra TLC (so please leave me a comment).
9 Ways to Show Your Dog Love
1. Take a walk. I know it’s pushing 100 degrees outside and before long we’ll be battling the snow and ice, but dogs need exercise. Chances are so do you (self included, of course). It doesn’t have to be a marathon, but taking your dog for a walk will give him or her a chance to be an explorer and is a great way to keep your dog healthy. This time of the year, I recommend an early morning or late evening walk so your pups paws don’t get burned on the hot pavement.
2. Give your dog a good rub down. Dogs love massages, and like people they have relaxation trigger points that can help them relax. My dog, Winston, has a tendency to get stressed out. A gentle massage behind his ears seems to help him relax.
3. Lots or brushing. Both of my dogs love getting brushed. It seems to relax them. Matted fur can be uncomfortable for a dog, so a regular brushing offers multiple benefits.
4. Give your pup a special treat. My dogs love Nutrish Soup Bones and Savory Bites, but sometimes I make them homemade dog treats. They go wild for snacks!
5. Talk to your dog. My dogs are so funny when I talk to them. They love hearing what good dogs they are. I know when they are paying close attention, because of the little head tilt they do. You can read to your dog, or even sing to them. My Mom, who has a lovely voice, sings to my dogs all the time and they just love it.
6. Have play time. Pets need toys just like kids. Even an old sock tied into a knot will provide your pet with enjoyment. Both of my dogs love playing fetch, so I try to take some time out every afternoon to toss a ball or Frisbee in the back yard for them. Make a trip to the dog park. Take your dog to the beach or put a kiddie pool in the backyard. Dogs love playing in water.
7. Keep your dog clean and well groomed. Pets like to be clean and well groomed; it contributes to their health and well being. Whether you groom your pet at home or take them to the professional groomer, make sure your dog gets regular bathing and grooming, including pawdicures. Don’t forget to take care of your pets teeth. My Veterinarian says that plaque build up and infected teeth is a serious health concern for pets that can spiral into a host of other health issues. There are different types of brushes and toothpaste for pets at your local pet store, and you’re sure to find a toothpaste that your dog likes. If you’re squeamish about actually brushing your pet’s teeth, look for bones and biscuits that are made with special additives for dental care and make sure your pet gets one once a day.
8. Extra snuggle time. Either get down on the floor or sit on the couch with your dogs and give them some extra snuggle time. My sweet Lilly is a super snuggly dog, and craves extra attention. I have the luxury of working from home, and spend part of my day working from the couch with a dog snuggled up on either side of me. You don’t have to be home all day to snuggle with your pets, just take an extra 10-15 minutes out of your schedule and snuggle up with your dog.
9. Feed your dog a nutritious diet. A healthy diet is a very important part of a pets health. I feed Winston and Lilly Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food. They eat the Nutrish wet food twice a day at meal time, and I put a bowl of Nutrish Dry Dog Food out in the evening for them to snack on. Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Naturally Delish™ is the first natural wet food for dogs inspired by tasty recipes from Rachael’s kitchen. They are made with simple, wholesome ingredients like tender meat and veggies. There’s no corn, no wheat*, no soy and no fillers or artificial flavors — just essential vitamins and minerals for a nutritious and delicious food. My dogs love it!
Many thanks to Nutrish for sponsoring this post, and for making wonderfully healthy and delicious treats and food that my dogs love!
Awww! We adopted our dog, Milo, last December. Since he wasn’t treated well in his last home, we go out of our way to show him we love him.
Dooley, our bulldog eats the ZeroGrain and has become MUCH more fit for using it!
My dog’s “love language” is food. He knows we love him when we give him treats and healthy food! Extra snuggle time is great, too.
I don’t have doggies, but your dogs are sure cute!
Aw I love your pictures! I want to get a dog once our yard is fenced in!
Oh, your puppies are so cute!! Our puppies get lots of love as well.
I don’t have a dog, but I wouldn’t mind having one!
Good to love your dog. Those treats look great
Your puppies are too cute! I love showing my dog so much love all the time.
We’ve tried a sample of Nutrish. Our dog really liked it and I thought the ingredients looked excellent.
Your dogs look like they are very loved. This looks like a great food for your furry friends.
What cute little pups! We love dogs, but only have one cat right now 🙂
Your little guys are so cute! I swear, they look just like two little ones that I used to have. I mean in every way. Thanks for sharing these pics. They brought back some good memories.
We take our little guy for walks all the time. We don’t get very far, because his legs are so short.
I think the best tip in this post is taking your dogs for walks. Dogs need exercise just as much as people.
My son and daughter-in-law’s dogs love snuggle time! I’m not sure the lab/German shepherd mix realizes how big she is though – snuggling sometimes feels more like tackling!
What sweet dogs. We have a corgi that we love to spoil.
Oh great tips. Your pup is oh so so cute!!
Love all of your pictures and tips! We don’t have a doggy.. but maybe soon!!
We keep are dog happy by staying active with him, grooming him, we even make him homemade dog food using the best ingredients. We also take the to our local pet store to get him a special toy.
You’re dogs are adorable, It makes me think of my late dogs who I miss dearly. Great post too! However the pictures stole the show. LOL
Rachel Rays dog food and treats are very healthy to give to my dog. There is only wholesome ingredients in this dog food and treats. I show my dog I love him by doing just about all of these things with him every day.
Love this so much! We have 3 dogs, who are all like our babies!
Your pups are adorable. Love them! I love petting my dog. He loves it too. And of course treats
I am sure that my dogs would LOVE Nutrish, as well as the other methods of showing them love. My fur babies are pretty spoiled.
My two are very spoiled. Since I work from home they have their own space in the office. We spend a lot of time together.
our tobey LOVES walks. always has, and i like bringing him for the company when i’m alone. he’s 13 1/2 and acts like he’s 3 1/2!
We love the dog beach! I know my dogs also get happy when they get bathed 🙂
The posts you do with your dogs in them are the sweetest. I wish we had a dog, but we don’t. I’d show him or her love daily!
This is such a nice post. I love my dog and like to make sure he is healthy and happy.
I’m always talking to Mr. Cooper! Extra snuggles are awesome too.
Looks like your little dogs are in good hands! I love the pics 🙂
Oh I love these ways. We have a dog, Ruger, he is such a sweetheart! He loves his playtime and a good treat from coming in from outside.
Your pups are so sweet! My dogs love snacks and lots of snuggle time. I wish they enjoyed being brushed but they hate it! LOL!
Very true. Dogs so need those walks. It really shows them you care. I love my fur babies as well.
My dog loves snuggles and walks. That is all he ever needs….well food and water and a comfy bed too 🙂
i like cuddling with my dog and giving her special treats like bully treats. OR walks.. she LOVES a good walkk. 🙂
We all love loving on our doggie! Especially our son! We have such a loving doggie!
My poor baby dog. He loves going out for walks and lately he has been neglected. Thanks for the reminder that our dogs need love too.
Our dogs love language is food, anything for a treat :), he is such a good pooch.
I totally agree with all of these. Our dogs need to feel love.
These are some great ways to show your pet love. We are looking to add a pet to our family. Awesome tips.
Great tips, my dog is like a part of the family so this is important.
Great tips! I really liked the Rub Down one. I know our dog loves for you to give her massages. She will lay next to you for hours waiting for you to give her a good massage.
Just because they are animals some people think they have to be cruel we should love animals just the same way we want to be treated
We love our fur-babies! We do feed them a healthy diet… of course we add the occasional treat!
Your doggies are adorable! We only have cats here but some of the same tips apply.
These are some really good tips to spoil your little dog. Those treats look like great treat for a dog.
We have three dogs. They love playing fetch and cuddles. All of them hate baths but they love getting brushed so it works out.
as soon as my daughter is just a little older we’ll likely adopt a dog, however our community has BSL so we’re not able to adopt a pit bull like we had hoped for.
Great tips…many people don’t realize that you really have to be careful about fillers in dog food! Always worth it to buy good food!
Aww love this as my dog is snoring like an old man at my feet 🙂
My dogs love massages and walks.
Love these pictures! Your dogs are too cute!
My doggie gets a little ignored during the day while the kids are at school and I’m busily working. I need to take little breaks to snuggle or pet him throughout the day.
Our Harvey definitely gets spoiled. He goes on morning runs with my husband a few times a week, gets a lot of cuddles and pets, and always enjoys his share of treats too.