How to Make Your Dog Feel Loved

STEP 1: Make sure you take care of your dog's health. Keep him healthy and physically fit by feeding him nutritious food and giving him plenty of exercise. Take him to the vet for check-ups and keep his nails trimmed.

STEP 2: Play with him. It's easy to want to lay down on the couch after a hard day at work and do nothing. But, think about your pet that has been waiting all day for you to arrive home so you can play with them. Even if it's just 5 minutes try to take out the time to play with him. If it is too hard to do try playing with him in the morning before you go in to work.

STEP 3: Take him with you whenever you can. Say, for example, you have to go to town to make a stop at the bank drive-thru. If you don't have to get out of the car then take your pet with you. Let him enjoy riding around with his head out the window or letting the air conditioner blow in his face.

STEP 4: Discipline him properly. Make sure he knows the rules and is punished if he does not follow them. You can't expect him to know when he does wrong if you do not give him a clear signal that it is bad behavior. If you just yell at him for a past mistake he won't understand what he did wrong. He'll just feel horrible and scared that you are yelling at him. The same goes with good behavior. Don't forget to reward your pup if he does well. If he performs tricks or just is being a good, lovable dog then reward him with belly rubs, petting, treats, a new toy, or whatever else.

STEP 5: Although this may not have been quite as obvious, remember to love yourself. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your dog. If you exercise and eat healthy you are more likely to have the energy to play with your pooch when you get home from work. It's hard to love someone else if you don't love yourself so make sure that you do what you can to make yourself happy so that you can transfer that energy to your pet as well. We all have a basic need to feel loved. Sometimes it doesn't work out the way that we want it, but if we're lucky and blessed enough to have the opportunity to provide it, why wouldn't we. Don't waste an opportunity to give love to your pet.