Happy Dog, Happy Me + A Recipe for Your Pup!

I have a dog, her name is Wednesday. We rely on each other. We help each other. When she is happy, I’m happy… and vice versa. I am her person.

Waking up to a wagging tail has a way of instantly starting my morning on a good note. I’m working on my mental wellness this year; taking each day as it is, and doing my best with what I’ve got. That intention itself can even be a bit stressful, but keeping a peaceful mind is the only way to keep going. But Wednesday is helping me balance my mental state. I’m helping her grow and learn, and she’s helping me smile more and stress less. Our bond is developing in a positive way each day, and it’s creating an overall feeling of wellness throughout our home that is healthier than ever. That wellness is built off of a few routines that we do together. Here are a few tips for a happy dog, which is helping me be a better me.

dog

Walk it off: I try and take 30 minutes a day to get outside with Wednesday and walk. She has been my best motivator to get out of bed and just go. I love going in the mornings, before the busy day. Not only does it give me time to clear my head and absorb nature’s beauty, but Wednesday gains obedience while getting a chance to exercise and burn off any built up energy. She is at her best when she’s walking by my side, and I completely feed off of her excited attitude.

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Be Social: I’m just starting to let Wednesday off lead to roam and explore. Grabbing a friend and another dog is rewarding in so many ways for the both of us. Unhooking her leash lets her know I trust her being away from my side, and also lets us both socialize with our friends. When surrounded by everyone you love, instant happiness is achieved.

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Trick for treat: Nothing in life is free for this little pup. Before any rub or grub, Wednesday has to perform. Simply asking her to sit, lie or stay is great for her brain, and rewarding to mine. I love knowing that she is learning, and that my work on her training is paying off.

Lately, I’ve been making dog treats for Wednesday, filling them with nutritious goodies that will help her learn while benefiting her health. Below is a recipe I put together that she loves:

dog treats

Nutritous Peanut Butter Dog Treats

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup rolled oats

¼ cup organic local honey (local honey helps with allergies!)

2 cups fine whole-wheat flour

1 ½ tablespoons of virgin coconut oil (great for a healthy, shiny coat!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, and then work in the peanut butter, honey and oil. Knead until mixed, forming a big dough ball. If the mixture is too crumbly and dry, add a few splashes of cold water to act as glue. Roll out dough about ¼” thick, grab your favorite cookie cutter, and go for it. If you don’t have any cookie cutters, scoop a tablespoon’s worth of dough and roll it into a ball shape (I like to do this for Kongs). Bake for 18-20 minutes.

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Allow to cool. Command your pup do a trick, and reward with this delicious treat!

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Pictured in this post: Overdyed Rope Leash. Shop our entire line of Pet Project accessories here!

+ What routines do you share with your dog to help build a stronger bond, and ease your mental health? What are your favorite dog treat recipes? Let me know in the comments!

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Rachel
9 years ago

Dogs are people too! I typically walk my dog after work to unwind and relax. Going to try making this treat this weekend!

9 years ago

I adore this so so much! I just got my first dog about a month ago, she is a rescue mini poodle mix with a killer snaggle tooth. I just ordered some bone shaped cookie cutters so this recipe is perfect!

You can read about her here: http://www.littlewildheart.com/being-little-wild-heart/meet-beijinho-rescue-dog/

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

My dog is a member of my family, I don’t comand him to do tricks to earn a cookie, I left him grow and develope his own personality and his own tricks, we gave him toys since little and he play with us, share his toys with us, made us chase him instead that only throw the ball and let him go and catch it. I know for some people is important that dogs learn to do tricks, but he’s not to amuse me with new tricks, I don’t amuse my mother or sit still for her to give me food, why do that to my dog?

9 years ago

SO adorable!! great photos!

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Natalie
9 years ago

I have also trained all of my dogs with the nothing in life is free idea. It has kept all of them aware of who their pack leader is, and they love the reward when they are doing a good job! I’m happy to see positive reinforcement is being used more often!

Natalie

Sabrina
9 years ago

Dogs are intolerant to nuts, so i would’t give my puppy peanutbutter…

dee
9 years ago

This is beautiful! love the puppy :)

Jen
9 years ago

Good idea!
Oneday I try to make Nutritous Peanut Butter Dog Treats too!

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Ali
9 years ago

I just got bernese too! Your pictures are beautiful!

9 years ago

^ Sabrina, peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat. However, some dogs may have a peanut allergy, so you just need to observe your own dogs reaction to it. My puppy eats peanut butter and almond butter stuffed in her Kong toy all the time and it’s her favorite. In fact, all my past dogs ate many of the foods that are on “do not feed” lists and lived well past their average life expectancy. I had a Doberman who ate avocados (a usual no-no on those lists) almost daily and she lived to be 16-years-old.

9 years ago

When we first moved into our home, I swore we’d never have an indoor pet.

Fast forward seven years and we have a pup that’s not only 100% indoors, but she sleeps in our bed! I can, without a doubt, say that getting a dog has been one of the greatest things we’ve done as a family. She has chilled me out so much!! I used to be really fanatical about things being “just so” and I NEEDED routine…boy, did a puppy throw all that for a loop! But, it was so good for me! I’ve learned to better cope with the unexpected and go with the flow.

You made a fantastic point about how animals aid in your mental health!

Love this post!!

Jessica

9 years ago

Dulce, the reason most people make their dogs do tricks is because it’s important for dogs to earn their food. It’s not really about entertaining us so much as it’s about making sure your dog knows boundaries and is disciplined. My dogs would be spoiled brats without daily discipline! However, it’s awesome that you have such a great relationship with your pup. Keep taking good care of him. :)

Micaela
9 years ago

I have two aussies; Charlie, an 8 year old blue merle, and Kallie, a red merle who just turned 1. They are my best friends and they bring so much love and comfort into my life. Basically, I would be lost without them.
I feel that any time spent with them, is a time for bonding. But I would have to say the most special times I spend with them, are the quiet moments when the three of us are just laying on my bed. I feel the most connected to them at this time. :)

I recently made wholesome dog treats as well and both dogs absolutely love them. I made them with my older dog in mind, who has a sensitive tummy and achy joints on a bad day. The turmeric is added for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Pumpkin-Turmeric Doggie Treats
-1 1/4 cup oat flour
-1/4 cup buckwheat flour
-2 tbsp flax meal
-2 tsp turmeric powder
-2 tbsp coconut sugar
-1/2 cup pumpkin puree
-2 tbsp melted coconut oil
-3 tbsp water

I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl, then rolled them out and made bone-shaped cut outs. I placed them on a parchment lined baking sheet and baked in a 350 degree oven for about 25 min.

I am a nutrition major and my favorite place to be is in the kitchen, experimenting with nourishing plant based recipes. However this is the first time I have ever baked for my dogs and now that I have done it, I will definitely be doing it more often. It is such a rewarding experience and it fills me with joy to know that what I am feeding my little bears is not only wholesome, but also made with love.

9 years ago

I have a Bernese Mountain Dog too (actually, 2) and they are literally real-life teddy bears. Such precious fluffy bundles of love and energy. Just wait until Wednesday starts walking you!

Victoria
9 years ago

love this :)

Olivia Cummings
9 years ago

i love my dogs. We have always had belgian sheperds and currently have two in our family. They are our heart and soul at our house. Will be chilly this weekend but they will go camping with us. :)
We all (3adults&2dogs) each have a large padded dog bed to sleep on inside the tent. Once we line up the beds, zip ourselves into the tent the laughter begins. Then we wake up with the sun, have breakfast and watch the dogs play tag…….

Olivia cummings
9 years ago

oops forgot the recipe

We buy beef roasts and boneless skinless chicken breasts and turkey breasts
Cut off all the fat
Then slice the meat as thin as possible.
Put it all on a pizza pan lined with foil. Don’t let the meat overlap or touch
Line pan with meat and cook 250 for 1 hour(until it is dry and crisp)
Take out to cool
Then store in zippy bag as treats for walks in the fridge
Ps…you can always use a food dehydrator if you have one at 185f for 3 hours-4hours

9 years ago

My dog loves peanut butter! Every so often to take our pup to a local dog boutique where they made homemade treats. We always make sure we get her some peanut butter ones. But I’m thinking of making these for her soon. I’m sure she’ll love them!

lulu-rose
9 years ago

My little dog Lucy just turned 1 years old, she is a Coton de tulear and the pickiest eater ever! ..but she does have a sweet tooth, so I will definitely be trying these this weekend. She loves sweet things like honey granola, blueberries, banana and frozen strawberries when its hot out. When it comes to food she loves lamb with rosemary and turkey mince mixed with veg and brown rice then made into meatballs (what can i say, my fur-baby is spoiled rotten)

carly
9 years ago

You should be careful with peanuts! A handful might be ok, but not too often…

9 years ago

Your dog is so cute. I don’t have one, but my friend does. And she loves them. I think I know what I’m making for her….

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anaette
9 years ago

Pups are always the greatest companions, I have a scottie with the sweetest heart, he has definitely changed my life for the better ever since. I have also adopted a cat and he’s a mush ball as well, but he has attitude sometimes, hes spunky. They both are spoiled by me, but not without their good behavior.

This recipe looks fun and I would rather feed him fresh and made from scratch. Will try this thank you!

P.S. Your puppy is adorable! and I love the name :D

cheyanne
9 years ago

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9 years ago

That is one cute cute cute bernese! I love her name too!

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9 years ago

What a cute dog!

xxx,

http://www.lubiejewelry.com
Paris based, globally inspired.