Henry gets a little love every day, and honestly, it’s therapeutic for both of us. Your dog deserves that same joy.
Budget tip:
You don't need to buy your furry friend some kind of pricey toy, treat, or accessory. If you do it will most likely hurt your bottom line in this economy. I know Henry is thrilled with free activities, quality time, and budget-friendly rewards. Unlike humans , our dogs don’t judge. That’s another wonderful attribute of dogs. That's a major win-win for you and your dog.
Massage
Henry absolutely loves a good massage. I can’t say I disagree with him. A massage is beyond the typical belly rub that most dogs love, and Henry does as well. The best part is that any age dog, from a puppy to a senior dog, will love a massage.
For example, Henry is a small dog; thus, massaging him doesn’t take much time for him. Generally, I will brush and then massage him. He’ll always fall asleep during the massage portion. Then he wakes up when I think I’m done with the massage and looks at me as if to say, “Why did you stop?” That’s my well-loved puppy dog!
Cost: Free
Doggie date
Henry loves adventures and doggie dates. Generally, he really enjoys people-watching, stargazing, or a walking tour. He loves it, and I do as well. However, there are many great date ideas you can go on with your partner and dog. What makes for a better date idea than something that involves your dog, especially if it’s free or nearly free?
Cost: Free – $$
Mini spa
Do you love a spa day? Your dog may as well. Some dogs love being pampered with a mini spa. Henry enjoys the brushing part. Actually, he’d sit or lie for hours as long as I continued to brush him. I was the same as a kid. Maybe we do have the same DNA?
Cost: Free
Hiking adventure
Henry absolutely loves hiking. I was a bit shocked when I took him for his first hike. He enjoyed it so much and hiked like a big dog! Consequently, I learned you can’t judge a hiking dog by the package. You may be surprised by how much your dog loves hiking, too. Or maybe you already know it. Either way, a wonderful hiking adventure can be a great way to show your dog how much you love him or her.
Cost: Free – $
Homemade cookies
Henry dearly loves dog treats. However, a homemade treat is his favorite. Personally, I love them as well. I can adjust the ingredients, make them healthy treats, and save a lot of money. It’s a winner for Henry and my bottom line.
Cost: $
New DIY toy
Your dog may love toys. If that’s the case, you can easily make a DIY dog toy in no time and for virtually no money. For example, recycling socks in a manner like Fun Sock City illustrates could be a great idea for a new toy for your furry friend.
Cost: Free
Playtime
Taking time to play with your dog is a wonderful way to show your pup you love him or her. As an example, you could throw a ball for fetch, play with a new DIY dog toy, toss a frisbee, or engage in a game of tug-of-war with a favorite toy. Playtime is great for mental stimulation in whatever manner your dog plays.
Cost: Free
Doggie daycare
Without a doubt, Henry loves doggie daycare. It’s a fun activity for him. Of course, you need to find a good doggie daycare that will take care of your furry friend like their own. Thus, protect your best buddy while in their care. However, once you find that spot, it can be a great outlet for your dog. I always equate Henry’s doggie daycare to a child going to Disneyland. He gets so excited and then comes home completely exhausted. It’s absolutely pure joy for him to play with other dogs in a safe environment.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure about doggie daycare the first time I took Henry. I thought it was only for richie-rich dogs. Actually, I discovered it’s very affordable, at least in my area. As a result, I can show my well-loved puppy dog some of his doggie daycare fun or doggie Disneyland fun every so often.
Want to learn more about doggie daycare? In this article, I share everything you need to know.
Cost: $
DIY new bed
This can be really fun and something your dog will really love. For example, Henry has a lot of beds currently. Honestly, I don’t know how he got so many. I think I see him lying in a new spot and think, “Oh, you should have a bed there too”. That’s when you need a cheap, easy (and in my case, no-sew) way to provide your pup with a dog bed.
Personally, I really like the DIY dog bed by Vicky Bermudez. Actually, you can customize it with upcycled dog blankets and pillows. It’s an excellent way to go green with your dog.
Cost: Free – $
Dog safe zone
One of the best things I’ve done for Henry is creating dog safe zones for him. He knows that if he’s scared or overwhelmed, he can retreat to one of them and escape the scary world. Thus, Henry’s dog safe zones are a way I show him I love him. Additionally, when he needs me, I sit with him or walk him to his safe zone.
Cost: Free
Special water treat or adventure
Does your dog love to play in the water? Admittedly, Henry doesn’t necessarily like to play in water unless it’s his idea. However, if there are people or other critters in the water, he’ll join in the fun. Generally, he will always love to float on a pool and pretend he is “King Henry”.
Cost: Free – $
Work on training
Henry thrives on training and learning a new trick or behavior. While he is quick to pick up on training, he also needs to be challenged. Basically, it’s the process of actively engaging his mind. Your dog may be the same way. The good news is that training doesn’t take that much time, but the benefits for your dog can be tremendous. Moreover, it benefits you by keeping your budget in check and allowing you to bond with your dog even more.
Cost: Free
New sniffs are great
Dogs often explore their world by sniffing. That’s why the walk we think will take 10 minutes, turns out to be 30 minutes. Dogs need to sniff where all the other critters have been recently. Of course, they also need to leave their own messages. That’s all part of being a dog. Henry certainly enjoys his sniffs. In fact, when he appears to be leisurely sniffing a rock, I try to remember to tell myself, “Take time to smell the…”
Obviously, I may not want to smell what he smells. But the idea that dogs can leisurely take a walk and take time to smell all the messages left behind is a good reminder. Without a doubt, Us dog parents need to slow down and enjoy life a bit more. In summary, we can always take cues from our dogs. As we show them love by letting them enjoy their world, we get to relax a bit as well. That’s a remarkable benefit!
Cost: Free
Chores are a new adventure
This is such a fun idea and one I know that Henry truly enjoys. Often, I need to move cars around on our property. At the same time, it may not be that far a ride (maybe just an acre), but it’s a fun adventure for Henry. He always gets excited and enjoys the short journey.
Additionally, as the weather permits, I take Henry with me in the car to run errands such as going to the post office, pharmacy, or even Home Depot. He loves riding in the car, seeing everything, and all the different sniffs.
Cost: Free
Related posts:
- Steps To Build A New Dog Budget
- Quick Simple Dog Massage Therapy at Home
- Does A Dog Micro Makeover Save Money?
- Happy Dog Hiking Trails Without Back Pain
- Shocking Guide of How Homemade Dog Treats Save BIG!
- This Is How A Dog Who Doesn’t Like Toys Plays!
- 10 Benefits of Daycare for Dogs
- Living Green With Dogs? Easy 12 Steps!
- Creating Dog Safe Spaces: Easy and Cheap
- 8 Awesome Reasons Your Dog Needs Water
- Basic Dog Training Reduces Expenses: Easy!
- Emergency Dog Fund: How Much Money Should You Save?
Easy affordable ideas to spoil your dog
If you’re like me, you may just have a moment, look at your pup, and think, “I need to do something special for you today.” Or you may save those moments for special days like holidays, Birthdays, or Gotcha Days. Undoubtedly, any day you decide to shower your dog with love is a good day.
However, if you’re budget-conscious, then you need to remember that you don’t need to spend much, if any money, to love your dog. In short, it’s more about the quality of time than the quantity of money spent. Henry is always happiest when I give him an extra-long massage or go for a longer hike.
Obviously, Henry and dogs in general don’t judge by the money spent on them. In fact, when we make smart money choices, we probably are happier. That means that if they have an emergency, there’s more in the fund. I love this idea, and I’m pretty sure Henry does as well.
