Dopamenu for dog owners
Whether your dog is an emotional support animal or companion animal, dopamenus add extra joy
The chicken and the egg. Dog owners and exercise. In both groups, one clearly came before the other, but which one?
The American Heart Association reports that owning a furry companion reduces a person’s mortality rate by 24%. But then these AHA studies are questioned because people who get a dog may already be living a healthier lifestyle, and owning a pet (especially an active dog) fits in perfectly with their day-to-day activities. So, is a dog really making pet owners healthier? Let’s debate that later.
Right now, let’s plan a dog dopamenu.
What’s a dopamenu? Coined by Jessica McCabe, the author of “How to ADHD,” the phrase blends “dopamine” and “menu” to describe ways to be joyful. Instead of just doing them on occasion, this “restaurant menu” is used to consciously incorporate blissful activities into your day. The categories for a dopamenu are:
Appetizers
Sides
Entrees
Desserts
Specials
So what does this have to do with dogs? And why should you make a dopamenu for dogs?
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Regardless of the dog fitness debate, what’s less debatable is the reaction to simply petting a dog. Psychology Today reports confirm that petting a dog increases your oxytocin and lowers your cortisol (the stress hormone). Additionally, studies at the University of New York found that people experienced lower stress levels when conducting a stressful assignment if a pet was nearby.
And Bring Your Dog To Work Day — the Friday following Father’s Day? Workplace studies corroborated that taking (wo)man’s best friend to work “lowers your stress, improves your recovery after challenges and even increases positive social interactions.”
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Creating a dog dopamenu results in double the felicity
If your day is already stressful but having a dog around makes everyday challenges that much easier, you may want to consider making your dopamenu revolve around your pet.
Here are a few examples of how to do so.
Dog Dopamenu Appetizers
The appetizer’s section of the dopamenu includes quick ways to produce dopamine. Since they’re not time-consuming, they can be treated like commercial breaks: quick things to do when you need to get around and move.
Sit on a couch or chair to pet your dog.
Squeeze a squeaky toy, then throw it for your dog to find.
Browse through the “Dog Pics” section of Bluesky, or search for #DogSky.
Watch a funny dog video on YouTube. (Start with RxCKSTxR.)
Copy your dog and do a downward dog pose during a work break session.
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Dog Dopamenu Sides
While appetizers tend to be quick bites, sides are about double the size (and time). Not quite the main dish, they still take a bit more time than an appetizer to digest. Dopamenu sides are also used to make boring activities more interesting.
Set up your dog’s bed near your desk before a mundane Zoom business meeting starts, so you can be in eye view when she is relaxing.
Light an aromatic candle that smells like a snack your dog enjoys (ex. pumpkin, whipped cream) before you start cleaning your home.
Before you get ready to check your emails, crack an ice cube for your dog to gnaw on while you sip a hot cup of green tea. Or, on a hot day, pour a cup of water with frozen lemon ice cubes for yourself.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule (i.e., 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away for every 20 minutes of computer work). Check out whatever your dog is spying on outside.
If your dog is playing in the front or backyard, step outside for fresh air. Poke your head in her dogio if it is big enough.
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Dog Dopamenu Entrees
This is the meal you came to the restaurant to order — or the whole reason you got a dog in the first place. Longer than appetizers or sides, these dopamenu items take more effort to do and are clear mood boosters for you and your pet.
Take a 30-45-minute walk with your dog around the neighborhood. (Depending on how big or small your dog is, it’s OK to extend this walk or make it shorter.)
Plan a trip to the nearest dog park, where your dog can play and you can mingle with other dog owners.
Walk to a local dog beach, and let your dog enjoy cooling off. (If no dog beaches are in your area, consider filling up a dog swimming pool in your backyard.)
Pull out the ingredients to restock homemade dog treats, or make them for the first time.
Brush your dog’s fur. Make sure to check under the tail and armpit area where fleas like to congregate. Even if it feels like a chore, your vet bill and furniture will thank you for making sure to do this regularly. Brush her teeth too.
Dog Dopamenu Desserts
Who doesn’t want dessert after the entree is served? These aren’t always the healthiest things to do, but they’re fun to do in moderation.
Give your dog a Puppuccino while you enjoy a sweet drink at a pet-friendly cafe. (You don’t have to go to Starbucks or a local spot for this one. Puppuccino is just whipped cream in a cup, and you can make your own coffee at home.)
Scroll an e-commerce site, looking for new pet treats and toys to buy. (Ordering them is optional.)
Ask your dog to “sit” or “stay” in order to get a dog treat.
Eat a spoonful of peanut butter (without added sugar or artificial sweeteners like xylitol) and give a spoonful to your dog.
Grab the fruit tray, and share these pet-safe fruits with your pup.
Dog Dopamenu Specials
Specials may come one day and leave the next, but they’re fun to do when you have them around. They can also be more expensive than the more economical appetizers.
Schedule a visit with a dog groomer to get her fur trimmed, nails clipped and ears cleaned. (Or, do all three at home if you’re capable of doing so.)
Take an inventory of your dog’s clothes. If some are too small, donate them. Buy her a new dog coat, new dog socks (or dog shoes), or restock holiday gear for you and your pet. Even if you’re not big on dog apparel, if you look festive during a dog walk, your dog can get away with just having a holiday dog collar.
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If you have old clothes and water bottles, make your own dog toys. Just cut off a shirt sleeve and sew it around an empty water bottle for instant “crunch” fun.
With a craft knife, cut a couple of holes in an empty plastic water bottle, and insert treats as an interactive dog toy.
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Skip your human bed. Unfold the adult-sized dog couch, and take a nap with your dog.
Whatever makes it onto your list, just make sure your dopamenu is as pleasant for you as it is for your dog. Your mental health matters as much as your physical health, so actively prioritize both. You and your puppy both have to get through 24 hours in a day. May as well make dopamine part of your daily menu while you’re at it!
Shamontiel is a dog lover to her core: 630 completed walks with 101 dogs, eight dog-housesittings and six dog boardings at the time of this publication.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday. Thanks for reading!