Your wonderful dog is there for you each and every day. As a reward for their loyalty, isn’t it about time you gave them a little pampering?
That’s right—we’re talking about a DIY spa day for your dog.
Now, many dogs out there would whimper at the idea of sitting still for two hours. let alone sitting still for two hours with cucumber slices covering their eyes! Many dogs also dislike bathing. In fact, for a lot of dogs bath time is their least enjoyable activity, necessary though it may be.
Our spa day will include bathing, but it’ll also involve a number of other activities to will soften the bathtime nerves and give your dog a day they’ll never forget. So, without further ado, let’s review the schedule for your doggo’s best day ever!
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Mix and match the ideas on this list to best suit the interests and temperament of your individual dog. That said, from your pup’s point of view, the ideal day involves your undivided attention and an early wake-up call. So, let’s get started!
Rise & Shine With A Walk
Plan to wake up and get the day going by heading out bright and early. Pick your dog’s favorite trail or park and head there straight away.
The exciting process of getting out the door will, as always, get your dog in an exceptional mood.
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If your dog isn’t as mobile as they once were, that’s something to consider here. There should still be a way to get them out for a walk in their favorite park. There are ways to support their mobility with wheelchairs or support harnesses.
Support harnesses are a great option for dogs who struggle on all four legs. The supportive coat wraps around their frame and includes back straps that you can either attach to a leash or hold with your hands.
These take pressure off of your dog’s joints and allow them to walk a little more freely, even if they’re not zooming around the park like they used to.
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Finding a way to maintain walks is important. Studies show that walking is a way to prevent canine dementia, and maintaining activity throughout old age can keep weight down and protect joint health.
Brush & Massage
When you get back home, let your dog cool down for a moment then start gearing up to brush them.
This shouldn’t be a standard brushing session, though. Make sure to balance petting and brushing in equal measure. After all, what is petting if not a kind of massage?
If you want, try to take a little more time to target certain muscles and make it an actual massage. Targeted massage can have a number of positive impacts on the physical wellness of dogs.
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Massage is also an excellent way to reduce your pup’s anxiety
So, take twenty or thirty minutes to massage, brush, pet, and repeat! Your dog should be in heaven at this point, and the brushing is a necessary step before the two of you head toward the bathtub.
Bath Time
It’s a good idea to get everything prepared before you go on your morning walk so your dog doesn’t start worrying at the sight of you gathering your supplies. If everything is at the ready, you can ease into the bathroom without the unnecessary anxiety associated with prep time.
Your pup should be nice and tuckered-out after the early morning walk and massage, and in a your dog pleasantly mellow mood for a bath.
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Important note: Make sure that you’re using a shampoo made for dogs. It might seem arbitrary at first, but most human shampoos include fragrances and chemicals that could irritate your dog’s skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection.
Furthermore, dogs lick themselves, ingesting chemicals that can make them ill. So, check to be certain that all of the products you’re using in the bath are approved for dogs.
If you’re on the hunt for a new shampoo, consider picking up a dog conditioner, too. Dogs don’t really need conditioner in every case, but hey, it’s spa day!
Bath Time Tips
You don’t want the water to be too cold or too hot. Right in the middle is just fine, and you don’t have to fill up the tub by any means.
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Instead, just work with a small bucket or even a cup depending on the size of your dog. Fill the container, rinse your dog, and get their fur nice and sudsy with the shampoo.
You might rinse out the shampoo by running a comb or simply scrubbing with your hands. Repeat the process as you work through the shampoo and conditioner, making sure you’ve covered the whole body so your dog is squeaky clean.
Dry them off with the towel or a dog-approved blow dryer, and you’re all set! Human blow dryers’ heat settings are typically too hot. for dogs.
Indoor Mental Stimulation
After the bath, your dog will be in the mood for a change of pace.
If you’re looking for another activity to tack onto the schedule, try some mental stimulation exercises involving treats. There are plenty of great toys and feeding options that serve as brain teasers for dogs.
Generally speaking, these toys have treats tucked into them and require dogs to push, pull, lick, or bite to get at the food. There’s a little bit of thinking and processing required, so it grabs the dog’s attention.
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There is no shortage of brain teaser dog toys or mental stimulation treats dispensers for dogs, so do a little dancing on the keyboard to find options you think they’ll love.
If you want to knock this spa day out of the park, you might even get a couple of new toys for them to play with. But, considering that this is your DIY spa day, you can try to make a toy of your own.
Easy DIY Mental Enrichment Toys
Before you pull out your wallet, know that it’s not too challenging to make a mental enrichment feeding toy for your dog. Something as simple as a closed cardboard box with a treat in it is enough to get your dog’s wheels turning. You don’t need fancy plastic mazes.
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Consider wrapping some treats in old tee shirts and sprinkling them around your living room. Wrap them tightly enough that they’re challenging to open, but don’t make them so tight they need to be ripped.
Your dog will pick up on the smell and start the scavenger hunt. If that’s not an option for you, here are a few great DIY mental enrichment game ideas.
An Evening Walk to Top It Off
At this point, your dog will have had one of the most mentally stimulating and enjoyable days possible. There’s not a whole lot more you can do to make their day other than to do their favorite thing—going on more walks.
If most dogs had it their way, they’d be on walks all of the time. So, if there’s any energy left in your pup, see if they want to go on another walk before you end the day.
Try taking them somewhere that’s not particularly muddy (considering they just bathed), but keep in mind that this is their special day!
If they get a little muddy, so be it. They spend their lives making us happy and giving us unconditional love. They’ve earned the right to a day filled with doing whatever they please without too many restrictions.
An evening walk will give them a little more time to play with their brand-new toy and share an experience with their favorite person in the whole world—you.
Additional Spa Day Tips
The following ideas can be worked into your dog’s spa day. Your dog will love any additional activities or nuances you add to the festivities.
So, pick and choose the following options if you’re looking for that extra boost of enjoyment.
Sprinkle Grooming Activities Throughout The Day
Pursuing all of the grooming chores at once might be stressful for your dog. On this, their special day, try to weave these unpleasant tasks throughout the more enjoyable experiences.
For example, get nail trimming out of the way before you go on the walk. This will make the walk more enjoyable for dogs with previously long nails, and they’ll quickly forget about it once they’re outdoors.
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If there’s a calm moment on your walk, consider checking their eyes for discharge and cleaning them with a moist cotton swab. The idea is to avoid having everything happen at once, particularly if your dog doesn’t really enjoy the grooming process.
Stock Up on a Few New Treats
Dogs and humans alike love novelty. We like new things because they intrigue us, particularly if they’re delicious.
Giving your dog a healthy dose of treats throughout their spa day will make him feel like a king! You know and I know that dogs love nothing more than gustatory treats!
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Consider picking up a variety of treats that your dog hasn’t yet tried. Cycle through them over the course of the day and see how your dog reacts. If your dog’s a little pickier and doesn’t particularly enjoy the variety, you can always just go back to your regular treats, which are, after all, still treats!
Hiding treats around the house for your dog to discover is an enjoyable mental exercise for your pooch.
Offer a Mid-Walk Surprise
Once you’re in the swing of things, take a little break and give your dog a new toy. You know your dog best, so the toy is totally up to you.
Still, the novelty and excitement of a new toy will just catapult the enjoyment of this morning walk.
Studies show that dogs prefer new toys over ones that they’ve played with billions of times. Obviously, we all know a few dogs who refute the science and get attached to the same toy for a number of years.
If that’s the case, try bringing a little novelty to their beloved toy by cleaning it up, rubbing it with a new scent, or even repairing it so they can rip it open all over again.
The excitement of walking and getting a new (or refurbished) toy will be the perfect way to start your furry friend’s special day.
Can You Make It a Play Date?
Do you have any friends with dogs? If so, see if they’re up for going out on this walk with you.
Time spent with a good friend will only amplify the enjoyment your dog gets from this entire experience. The other dog doesn’t have to come along for the whole day, of course, but a little interactive time in the park is something that can send your dog’s dopamine levels off the charts.
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Going to the dog park sort of serves this purpose as well. Your dog might have an established relationship with your friend’s dog, however, so that could be a more reliable option if you want your dog to have the best day possible.
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