The New Year usually means a new you. People are busy making resolutions to try and better themselves. But what about your dog? Why can’t the New Year mean a new dog for him? Most people fail their resolutions because they don’t have someone there to motivate them. If your dog were to motivate you to succeed, you’d want him to succeed to, so why not make some resolutions for him? The following are some ideas as to what your dog’s New Year resolutions can be.
Go on more walks
Most dogs love to go on walks, so it’d be hard to fail at this resolution. However, this resolution is a win-win for both you and your dog. You both will get exercise, fresh air, and you get to spend time with each other. If your dog tends to pull on his leash, this would be a great time to train him to not pull, which is another great resolution. Simple commands, like heel, are effective when used properly. Another resolution that you can work on with your dog is appropriate etiquette when meeting other dogs on the trail. If your dog barks or tries to lunge at another dog, teach them that that behavior isn’t correct and show them what should be done instead.
Eat less treats
Dogs that are overweight tend to develop more health problems, so one way to prevent this is to limit the number of treats and snacks that they eat. Most people use treats as a reward, especially when training a puppy. Try to find a different way to reward your dog, such as verbal praise or extra playtime. If you find it hard to limit giving your dog treats, consider giving him one every time you have a snack. This will help to show you how many treats you’re giving your dog while at the same showing you how many snacks you may eat in a day. After all, it really isn’t fair if one of you is getting more treats than the other one. Another thing to consider is healthier options for a snack. There are various homemade treats that you can make for your dog that are perfectly safe for him.
Teach a new trick
Who says you can’t teach an old dog a new trick? One of your own resolutions might be to learn a new hobby or skill, so why not teach your dog a new trick? A few simple ones are sit, lie down, and shake. In this case, a treat is an effective way to get your dog to learn the trick. If he does the trick correctly, then he should get a reward. An alternative to a treat is to use pieces of his food; just be sure to not give him too much. One resolution that many people make is to volunteer more, so find something that you can do that can also include your dog. Nursing homes are a great place to volunteer and the residents will love seeing and interacting with a dog. You may even want to try and get your dog licensed as a therapy dog.
No matter what your resolutions are, try to include your dog. It’ll make accomplishing them easier and you both will get to spend quality time with each other.
