Setting New Year’s Resolutions for Your Dog

The new year is often seen as a fresh start, making it an excellent time to establish positive resolutions. If you’re considering setting personal goals, why not include your furry friend in the fun? Creating doggie resolutions can be a great way to help your pup maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle while also addressing areas for improvement that you can monitor throughout the year.

From enhancing their physical or mental health and expanding their social circle to spending more quality time together, we’ve compiled some tips to help you set meaningful resolutions that you and your furry friend can stick to long term, as well as some examples to get you started.

RESOLUTION REMINDERS

You know your pup best, so resolutions can vary and should be specific to your pup and their needs. However, there are some ways to help boost attainability, including:

Be realistic: As with any goal (for humans and dogs alike), it should be as realistic as possible, reflective of your dog’s lifestyle, schedule, etc. For example, if you want your pup to get more physical exercise, consider their current activity level and look for ways to gradually increase it.
Make a plan:Breaking your dog’s goals into actionable steps can help make it feel more attainable, and having a clear plan to follow can help you stay on track.
Be flexible: Your pup’s needs may change over time, so it’s important to adjust resolutions accordingly. Don’t feel obligated to stick to an unrealistic goal if it no longer benefits your furry friend.
Avoid setting too many resolutions at once: While you may have several areas you’d like to improve in your dog’s life, setting too many resolutions at once can be overwhelming for both you and your pup. Setting smaller goals and gradually building up to a couple of larger ones can be a great way to maintain progress.
Track their progress: Monitoring your dog’s progress as you go can be a great way to know if your resolution is attainable. For instance, if going on more morning walks is a resolution, track how many days a week you do so and see what needs to change to better fit your and your pup’s lifestyle.
Be patient: Progress differs for every dog, so achieving resolutions can take time. For example, behavioral changes and obedience training might require several weeks or months to see results, depending on your goal. Keep at it and use positive reinforcement to encourage change.

EXAMPLES OF NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Enhancing your furry friend’s lifestyle—physically, mentally, and socially—can be an excellent way to boost their health, happiness, and longevity. Here are some examples of doggie resolutions to help inspire you and your pup this year.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Whether it’s more exercise or a healthier diet, maintaining your dog’s physical health is crucial to longevity. You should always consult with your vet prior to setting physical health goals so they can give the green light on any changes you’re considering implementing.

Resolutions can include:

Daily walks, adjusting the duration and intensity depending on age and breed
Setting daily exercise goals, including a specific amount of time for playing, walking, etc. (Dogtopia’s activity monitor, DASH, powered by PitPat, can be an excellent way to track exercise stats)
Swapping unhealthy, high-calorie treats for healthier options, like fruit and veggies
Consistent spa visits or creating a doggie spa at home to create or maintain their hygiene routine
Regular vet visits and check-ups to make sure they’re up to date on any necessary vaccines and to monitor potential health concerns
Plan outings to boost activity level together, such as hiking, biking, swimming, etc.

MENTAL HEALTH

Dogs can experience stress and anxiety just like humans. If your pup displays signs of separation anxiety, is fearful of certain environmental triggers, or is generally anxious, your resolutions can include adding calming activities to their day. Mental stimulation has several benefits, including improving problem-solving skills and memory, and reducing stress and anxious feelings.

Resolutions can include:

Daily enrichment activities, such as brain games (treat puzzles), mini obstacle courses, and snuffle mats, can keep your pup’s mind active and strengthen their cognitive development
To boost confidence, practice a couple of new training skills, whether it’s to make a positive influence on their behavior or to enhance their tricks
Provide more opportunities for relaxation, such as gentle grooming or playing classical music, which has been shown to reduce agitation and lower stress levels

SOCIAL HEALTH

Exposing your dog to other furry pals and new environments can be a game-changer for their confidence and overall well-being, especially since it allows them to tap into their natural pack instinct. For instance, if you plan to travel more this year or want to reduce separation anxiety, introducing your pet to unfamiliar spaces, people, and other dogs can help make transitions easier.

Resolutions can include:

Regular play dates with like-minded dogs to help them form a doggie friend group (Dogtopia daycare is great for this, as we separate pups in playrooms based on their size, temperament, and play style)
Visit new dog-friendly spaces to help keep novel stimuli in your pup’s routine and expand their comfort zone
Join a local dog meetup where you can meet other pet parents in your area

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

No matter what your pup’s New Year’s resolutions are, we wish you both all the encouragement you need. If you haven’t already, we also hope your dog can join our Dogtopia family this year so we can play a role in their physical, mental, and social health. Our team is passionate about creating a safe and stimulating environment tailored to your dog’s needs. Here’s to making this year even better for your furry friend!

Find a local Dogtopia near you to get their journey started.