Imagine if your best friend pampered you for a day by saying yes to everything you wanted. Wouldn’t you feel pretty special? Chances are, a day filled with yeses will likely leave you in a pretty good mood. Well, the same probably goes for your dog.
Our canine companions spend a lot of time giving you unconditional love, loyalty and companionship. They want to make you happy, so why not make them feel special in return by giving them a ‘Yes’ day? It’s a great way to reward your dog while also reinforcing positive behavior. Chances are, a ‘Yes’ day will be your dog’s best day ever (and you’ll probably have a good time yourself).
What Is a ‘Yes’ Day?
A ‘Yes’ day is a special way to make someone — including your pet — feel special by letting them have a day where you don’t have to stick to normal routines. Instead, you say yes to anything they want to do (within reason, of course). The idea is to let your loved one have a day filled with activities they enjoy and allow them a degree of freedom they may not always have. So, if you’re wondering how to pamper your dog, a ‘Yes’ day might be just the place to start.
Why Have a ‘Yes’ Day With Your Dog?
Our dogs often spend a lot of time trying to be the best pups in the world. A ‘Yes’ day can be a great way to reward them for all their hard work and obedience. It might also prove an excellent way to positively acknowledge your pup’s good behavior and let them know you love them. By giving your dog a ‘Yes’ day, you might help:
- Reinforce positive commands they learned in training.
- Improve their mental wellbeing and allow them opportunities to explore new things.
- Boost their confidence by allowing them to take the lead on certain activities.
- Encourage extra physical activity that your dog might not always have beyond leash time.
- Reduce stress and anxiety by encouraging your dog to relax, play, and feel more comfortable.
Importantly, a ‘Yes’ day might help you and your dog build a stronger relationship. By saying yes to your dog for any reasonable action, you are helping to build bonds of trust that show them that their happiness matters.
What Should I Do With My Dog on a ‘Yes’ Day?
During a ‘Yes’ day, you can let your dog have opportunities for things they might not ordinarily be able to do. If you know what your dog particularly enjoys, a ‘Yes’ day might be a perfect time to surprise them with their favorite things. A few things to add to the agenda might include:
- Special meals: If your dog normally gets dry food, surprising them with wet food or a few dog-friendly human foods — lean chicken, apples or sweet potatoes, for example — might be a great way to add a little fun into the mix. Naturally, keep any special dietary needs in mind, but don’t be afraid to try something new.
- Car rides: Dogs who have to stay at home a lot might love being able to visit new, dog-friendly places. Even just a long ride in the car might help get them in front of some new scenery and see things they don’t normally see.
- Favorite games: Maybe your dog’s favorite game is to chase a tennis ball around the backyard. If that’s the case, letting them play to their heart’s content might be a great way for them to let loose and feel truly carefree. They can then head into rest-time tuckered out and high on good endorphins.
- Special visits: Factor in some time to take your dog to some of their special favorite spots. Maybe it’s the dog park, a local hiking trail, the coffee shop, or their favorite neighbor’s house. You can let your pup have valuable time to explore and interact with others.
- Play dates: Getting your dog together with some of their doggy best friends is a fantastic way to let them socialize with other animals in ways they might not be able to with humans.
- New experiences: Because a ‘yes’ day is about positive reinforcement, giving your dog a chance to experience new things at this time may help them build confidence and lessen their anxiety in new situations. Maybe you’ve wanted to introduce your dog to the local swimming pool or playground. A ‘Yes’ day might be a perfect time to try it out.
- Pampering: If your dog loves baths or being brushed, a ‘Yes’ day is a perfect time to get some of these chores out of the way. Even a long, relaxing massage or some belly rubs might give your pup the perfect space to relax.
Of course, one of the biggest things to do throughout your dog’s ‘Yes’ day is to make sure they know they are loved. Plenty of cuddles, snuggles, and a good rub behind the ears might be the best way to ensure your pup feels happy, secure and comfortable. It’s also a perfect way to wind down after a long, exciting day.
But How Do I Say ‘No’ During a ‘Yes’ Day?
Don’t let the name fool you, a ‘Yes’ day for your dog doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. After all, you don’t want to let your dog do anything that may cause them to harm themselves, other people, or property. Chances are, you might have to say no a few times during a ‘Yes’ day. However, you don’t have to do so in ways that might scare or confuse your dog.
A few ways you might reduce the number of times you have to say ‘no’ on this special day include:
- Using positive reinforcement. When your dog does something good, reward them. Doing so can help them refocus on what is permissible and learn that by doing a good thing, they will receive a reward.
- Removing potential problems. If you can, put away any potential triggers for bad behavior. For instance, if you know your dog loves to nose through the trash, take the garbage out before your ‘Yes’ day and put away your trash cans.
- Redirecting attention. Rather than simply saying no, try gently helping your dog focus on something that is likely to get a yes response. For example, if you notice your dog trying to counter surf, try redirecting them to a special treat or a favorite toy.
- Offering limited choices. It’s perfectly fine to let your dog have choices of what they want to do during their ‘Yes’ day. However, you can control the situation by limiting what they can choose from. For example, if you take your dog for a nature walk, be sure to choose an area that you know is safe. That way, you can let them guide you along the route without venturing into potentially dangerous areas.
Still, sometimes, you won’t be able to get around telling your dog no during their ‘Yes’ day, and that’s okay. The thing to remember is to reinforce any discipline with gentleness and understanding. You might even try using alternative phrases, such as uh-uh, drop it, or stop, rather than simply resorting to no.
For a Little Extra Tail-Wagging, Try a ‘Yes’ Day
Your dog brings you joy every day, so why not bring a little extra joy into their life, too? By giving them a ‘Yes’ day, you can do a little something extra to make sure they know they’re loved. This special day can not only help your canine companion have special experiences, but also strengthen your human-pet relationship and reinforce positive behavior that your dog has worked hard to learn.
And to really help unlock that positive behavior every day of the year, consider how proper training might be a great benefit to your dog. Sit Means Sit Philadelphia will work individually with your dog to instill lifelong skills that help them build confidence, eliminate bad behavior, and thrive. Get in touch with us for a free evaluation today!
The content of this blog is created by the Sit Means Sit Philadelphia marketing team. The marketing team are not certified dog trainers, and the information provided here is for general purposes only. Every dog is unique, and the tips and advice shared may not be suitable for all dogs. For personalized guidance regarding your dog’s training and behavior, we recommend consulting with a certified Sit Means Sit professional dog trainer. If you’re interested in scheduling a free dog training consultation, please contact us or call (215) 593-0539 today.
