You love your dog unconditionally and you know you and he/she will be there for each other no matter what. Try treating your husband a little bit more like you treat your dog and I think you'll see a long happy marriage full of the same unconditional lifelong love!

7 Simple Tips:

1) Compliment him often. Every dog owner knows how much her pooch likes to be told he's a 'good boy' and gushed over when he does something well. But don't we all like to be complimented or told when we're doing a great job at something? Even if you think your husband knows you appreciate all of the things he does so well, he may not unless you tell him...Tell him often and enthusiastically!

2) Snuggle and pet him. Who doesn't like to nuzzle with their furry pet after a long day? As a matter of fact that's one thing that causes our dogs to bond with us so strongly - gentle touch cause us to release the hormone oxytocin (which experts say helps people/animals form emotional bonds with one another). A strong emotional connection is one of the hallmarks of a happy successful marriage and anything that not only makes me feel good but also increases my marriage's chance of lasting forever certainly sounds good to me!

3) Make time for him, even when you're tired. No matter how tired you are after a long day at work you would never consider not giving your dog a happy greeting at the front door, and if you're anything like me, you would never dream of skipping his evening walk or his pre-bed belly rub and brush either. When you/your husband get home from work drop everything you're doing and show him how excited you are to see him with just as happy of a greeting as you give your dog. And just because you may be tired don't skip out on the little things that make him happy, or cut back on showing you affection.

4) Feed him. This is a basic one for dogs - you pet pooch needs you to feed him or he'll starve. And check out how excited he gets every night at dinnertime! Your husband may be capable of feeding himself, but the same way your dog wags his tail in appreciation at the sight of a hot meal your husband will also feel loved, appreciated and secure if you can provide him with a good meal at the end of a long day. Even if sometimes it comes via takeout. ;o)

5) Invest some time in training. Everyone know that it takes time and training to teach a dog to sit, to have proper manners and basically to do the things that will keep him safe and make his human family happy. Well, obviously you don't want to train your husband to obey like a dog (well most of us don't at least!), but you do need to invest the time in telling him the things that are important to you. If you don't tell him he'll never know. And it also can't hurt to reward him with a 'treat' of some sort when he shows off what a good husband he is to you.

6) Make time for play. No dog has to think twice about this one, his whole life would be play if he had his choice. As hard as most people work make sure you also carve out time each week to play and relax - regardless of what that means for you. People are happier and healthier in all areas of their lives when they have time to relax and blow off steam. And what's better than doing that with the person you love?

7) Forgive him. Tempting as it is to hold a grudge, especially when you're really upset about something, if you truly love someone you can learn to let the little things go. Your dog may chew up your favorite pair of shoes or have an accident on your carpet but you don't hold it against him. You try to help him do better next time, and you move on, never withholding love or affection. So when your husband makes you mad (as he certainly will over the course of a lifetime) tell him calmly why you're upset and address the problem, then forgive him completely, move on and continue to give your love and affection freely.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Comments

Cindy on June 28, 2020:

I totally agree. It was my dog who taught me how to love.

favouriteboyforev from delhi on May 01, 2012:

husband "or" dog

wow what a comprasion :)

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 30, 2012:

Thanks alipuckett, glad to hear your were pleasantly surprised and that you enjoyed the tips!

alipuckett on April 30, 2012:

I have to admit: When I clicked this article title, I wasn't sure what was going to be inside. I was pleasantly surprised to see 7 honest and respectful tips for keeping your man happy. Great job! :)

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 29, 2012:

Thank you LindaBliss! My husband's good-natured comments about me spending more time with our dog than with him are actually what prompted the idea for this hub. :o) Hope your doggie's facebook friends enjoyed - hopefully they all get plenty of love and affection from their human families too :o)

Thanks sgbrown, I agree people often take those they love for granted and I think it's so important to show both the human and canine members of your family how much they mean to you..all of the time!

Thank you Peggy, and thanks for sharing with your followers! These tips can certainly apply to those with and without dogs!

Thanks kelleyward - my husband and dog definitely do have a lot in common :o)

Glad you enjoyed it emilybee - and both men and dogs truly enjoy treats and petting in my experience ;o)

Thanks jeyaramd - I agree with you, showing someone appreciation is one of the most important things in a relationship, and something that sadly we often forget to do with our busy lives.

jeyaramd from Mississauga, Ontario on April 29, 2012:

I HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PET AS YET. THIS HUB WAS VERY GOOD AT TOUCHING ON THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF ANY LONG LASTING RELATIONSHIP. WE ALL CRAVE APPRECIATION AND SOME LOVE EVEN WHEN WE KNOW THAT WE ARE LOVED. A LITTLE ATTENTION GOES A LONG WAY. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS AWEOSME HUB.

jeyaramd from Mississauga, Ontario on April 29, 2012:

n't have a pet as yet, but I am loving this hub. You have touches on many important points that will help any relationship. Its so true that everyoe loves to have some appreciation and to be rewarded for their efforts. Apppreciation is a wonderful feature. Thanks for sharing this wonderful hub.

emilybee on April 29, 2012:

You are so funny, this is so true - to pet your dog and reward him with treats haha :) what great tips!!! Voted up.

kelleyward on April 29, 2012:

You hit this straight on! I only have a cat but I can see how much men and dogs have in common in the way they receive love. Voted up and Shared! Take care, Kelley

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 29, 2012:

I am smiling. You have actually offered very good advice in this hub about how to treat our husbands as well as our beloved dogs. Even people without dogs can apply the same lessons taught here. Congratulations on your HubNugget win. Voting this up, useful and SHARING with my followers + tweeted.

Sheila Brown from Southern Oklahoma on April 29, 2012:

This is a great hub! It is so true, husbands and wives tend to take each other for granted some times and we need to realize that. I read your "How to Win a Woman's Heart - Tips from Her Dog" and I love it too. Voted this up, awesome and sharing also! Wonderful job! :)

Linda Liebrand from San Francisco on April 29, 2012:

This hub is brilliant and made me realise our dog probably gets more attention than my husband haha. I will share it with my followers and on my doggie's Facebook Page (he has more friends than me!).

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 20, 2012:

Thank you Millionaire Tips!

Shasta Matova from USA on April 20, 2012:

Congratulations on your HubNugget win! I agree, we do have a tendency to treat our humans badly while we give our love and affection to our pooches. Treating a husband like a dog would be much appreciated.

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 19, 2012:

Thanks as well Anjili - and don't take the comparison too hard, these days some people treat their dogs so well (myself definitely included!) that I'd be very happy to be compared in treatment to the family dog ;o)

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 19, 2012:

Thanks so much Golfgal, I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing!!

Anjili from planet earth, a humanoid on April 19, 2012:

Congrats for the Hubnugget win. Well, I didn't know men compete for space and attention with canines. I would hate to imagine my wife comparing me with my dog with regard to attention from her. Trust me to actually behave like one once I get to know this:), Lol

Golfgal from McKinney, Texas on April 19, 2012:

LOL, I loved it!!! It is so insightful and so true. I truly believe you could make a great book from these thoughts. I voted you up, shared you and linked to my hub on abandonment.

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 18, 2012:

Haha, exactly Carrie! ;o) Thank you for your comments Carrie, Karen and TheSituation - I'm glad you all enjoyed my tips! (And I'm so excited about the hubnuggets!)

Karen Hellier from Georgia on April 18, 2012:

This is great and I agree with all of it. Voted up, and will share with my husband!

TheSituation on April 18, 2012:

Congrats on the Hubnuggets win!! AWESOME!!

Carrie Terry from golden, colorado on April 18, 2012:

That was great. i loved it. Voted up!! So I need to treat my husband so he will stop treating me like his *itch? lol.

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 18, 2012:

Thank you Ciel, glad you enjoyed it!

Ciel Clark from USA on April 17, 2012:

Very funny and... unusual! Voted!

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 16, 2012:

Thanks so much wordscribe!

Elsie Nelson from Pacific Northwest, USA on April 16, 2012:

Oh my gosh, this is priceless! I've often thought about how unbelievably AWESOME I treat my dogs. No doubt, there are some additional "atta boys" I should start incorporating into my relationship with my hubby. I need to make more time for play with him, no doubt. Anyway, congrats on the hubnugget nomination- I voted for your hub. Good luck!

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 15, 2012:

Thank you Pamela, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on April 15, 2012:

You chose a very funny way of giving tips for a successful marriage. I enjoyed your hub and had a few laughs.

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 15, 2012:

Thank you WryLilt and ripplemaker! :o)

Michelle Simtoco from Cebu, Philippines on April 15, 2012:

Hmmm I wonder it is much easier to love one's pet than one's husband... hahahah I am sure these tips work to help a marriage succeed. If you forget, just remember your dog!

LOL

Congratulations on your Hubnuggets nomination. Head this way to read and vote on the Hubnuggets, husband and dogs welcome to vote: https://hubpages.com/community/An-Invitation-To-A-... ;)

Susannah Birch from Toowoomba, Australia on April 14, 2012:

Best laugh I've had for awhile. And so true!

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on April 13, 2012:

Thanks for your comments bizzymom and vespawoolf, glad you enjoyed it! And thank you, I'm so excited about the HubNugget nomination!!

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on April 13, 2012:

Great advice and humorous, too! You have my vote....congratulations on your HubNugget nomination!

bizzymom from New York on April 02, 2012:

This is a great hub; it is funny but filled with useful and realistic advice. I love the comparisons between a loved pet and a husband. I will try to be as patient with my hubby as I am with my doggie!

ShepherdLover (author) from Portland, OR on March 20, 2012:

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!

Mmargie1966 from Gainesville, GA on March 20, 2012:

Excellent advice! Voted up, useful and funny!