Bark About! Blog

A puppy pile of dog information and stories

Turn the TV off and play with your dog

Turn Off the TV

Published October 2, 2017
| Comments: 0

We are all victims of habit.

Most of us work, some work long hours, some have long commutes, some work from home but all with the same goal: to finish the day and enjoy some much needed down time. This is our reward for a day of accomplishment, stress and earning a paycheck.

What is your reward for the end of the day? Dinner? TV? Reuniting with your dog/family? Dinner is a given but after that, what is the real “down time” part of your evening? Do you spend it watching the news and getting upset or angry over events of the world, the direction of our country, natural disasters, injustice, violence, ignorance and down right stupidity?

It’s important to keep abreast of the events of the world but the daily bombardment of negativity only hurts you and your dog knows it. Your dog is your monitor. Your dog sees, hears and smells your moods, tones and body language more than you might realize. This affects them too. Why would we knowingly do that to our dogs? Sometimes our dogs are smarter than us and know what’s best, better than we do.

Snuggling with your pup is good for your health. Photo by Cynthia Smith

Ten out of ten dogs surveyed say, “Kill your TV and love on me”. It’s a proven scientific fact, snuggling with a dog is good therapy. It lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, calms your stomach and gives you peace. The same happens to your pup.

Life is full of options and you have a choice at 6pm every night to get stressed, angry, frustrated and yell at your TV or simply turn it off, get on the floor and feel the happiness and love your pup is full of. They don’t worry about things they have no control over, they live in the moment and enjoy the simple things in their world. Now more than ever, it’s important to occasionally get down to their level, both physically and psychologically.

So next time you find yourself getting even the slightest bit agitated over the news, stop and look at your pup. Why are they looking up at you with their tongue hanging out and a smile on their face? Turn off the TV, get down there and find out.

Recent Blog Posts

November is Pet Diabetes Month: What Every Dog Parent Should Know

At Camp Run-A-Mutt, our mission is to keep dogs happy, healthy, and active—both here at camp and at home. November is Pet Diabetes Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to talk about an important health issue that affects many dogs (and cats, too). Diabetes can...

Pet Insurance: A Guide to Protecting Your Pets 

September is National Pet Insurance Month, making it the perfect time for pet owners to explore the benefits of insurance coverage for their furry friends. With veterinary costs rising and pets living longer, pet insurance is becoming an increasingly popular option....

Hard at Work: Celebrating Real Working Dogs

When we say “work like a dog,” we're not just tossing around a cliché—we're tipping our hats to the real working dogs who dedicate their lives to serving and supporting people. These incredible animals are more than pets; they’re trained professionals, teammates, and...

National Microchipping Month: Why Microchipping Matters

Every June, pet lovers and animal advocates come together to raise awareness during National Microchipping Month — a timely reminder of the importance of microchipping our furry companions. While collars and ID tags are helpful, they can break or fall off. A microchip...

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month

We as dog parents are always looking out for our little furry friends—whether it's giving them their favorite treats, taking them for long walks, or cuddling up for a nap. But when it comes to emergencies, do you know what to do if your dog gets hurt or sick? April is...

Honoring Our Four-Legged Heroes: K-9 Veterans Day

March 13th marks a special day for those who have served our country in a way that often goes unnoticed but is absolutely crucial—our K-9 veterans. These four-legged heroes are not only trusted companions, but they have saved lives, assisted in critical military...

Comments

0 Comments

Recent Blog Posts

Celebrating Pit Bull Awareness Month: Why We Believe There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Dog

Celebrating Pit Bull Awareness Month: Why We Believe There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Dog

October is Pit Bull Awareness Month! 🐶💙

At Camp Run-A-Mutt, we’re celebrating the lovable, loyal, and often misunderstood bully breeds — because we know there’s no such thing as a bad dog.

These dogs have an unfair reputation that doesn’t match their true, gentle nature. In our latest blog, we explore how that stereotype started, why it’s time to change the narrative, and how Camp Run-A-Mutt proudly supports every dog through individualized temperament testing — never breed restrictions.

read more
Pet Insurance: A Guide to Protecting Your Pets 

Pet Insurance: A Guide to Protecting Your Pets 

September is National Pet Insurance Month, making it the perfect time for pet owners to explore the benefits of insurance coverage. Is it right for you and your pup? In our latest blog, we break down the pros and cons, and some different options to consider.

read more