According to a US government survey, the top 10 New Year’s resolutions range from health and fitness to saving more money.
So, as a dog trainer always looking for win/win situations, I can’t help but wonder how many of them could be molded to benefit our dogs as well as ourselves. Here are those most popular New Year’s Resolutions:
- Get Fit
- Manage Stress
- Save Money
- Quit Smoking
- Lose Weight
- Take a Trip
- Volunteer to Help Others
- Manage Debt
- Drink Less Alcohol
- Get a Better Education
Now let’s see how we can involve our dogs in all this self-improvement.
Get Fit
For some reason, it seems easier to stick to a fitness program when you’ve got a fitness buddy keeping you honest. If your New Year’s Resolution is to exercise more, why not create a plan that includes your dog? It’s the ultimate win/win situation. You get your 30 minute run in three times a week, your dog gets to burn some off some energy, and you have a great opportunity to bond with one another. Exercising with your dog is not only good for both bodies, it’s good for both souls.
Manage Stress
I’ve been training dogs long enough to know that canines with behavior issues can create a lot of tension in a household. Get your dog signed up for a basic obedience class to start building important skills. If your problems go beyond basic obedience, some in-home assistance can help get your dog’s annoying habits under control once and for all.
Save Money
Store-bought treats can contain questionable ingredients and are pretty expensive. A good alternative is to dust off that dehydrator you got as a gift a few holidays ago and use it to make your very own doggy jerky. The next time you and your family have left-over meat that you were planning to just toss out, cut it into treat-sized bites and dry them. It’s a great way to reduce your food waste while stocking up on preservative-free and inexpensive treats for your dog. Don’t have a dehydrator? No problem. You can still use your left-over meat… just cut it into small chunks and refrigerate in a plastic bag to keep it fresh.
Quit Smoking
Anyone who has battled a cigarette addiction knows that one of the trickiest parts to quitting is managing the craving when triggers present themselves. Redirecting is something we do with dogs all the time. When puppies are chewing on something they shouldn’t be chewing on, we redirect them to an appropriate toy until that becomes a new habit. So the next time your morning coffee triggers the urge to smoke, reach for the leash and take your dog for a quick walk instead of lighting up. Your dog will appreciate the exercise and you’ll give yourself a nice little boost from the natural chemicals produced by exercise instead of the unhealthy buzz of a cigarette.
Lose Weight
The only thing better than living a long, healthy life is living a long, healthy life surrounded by loved ones who are also in good shape. When deciding where to take your long Sunday fitness walk, why not find a dog-friendly location? You’ll both burn some calories and your dog will be nice and mellow when you get home. Remember, an exercised dog is a better behaved dog.
Take a Trip
Many folks don’t travel because they don’t feel comfortable leaving their dogs at home. These days, though, there are a lot of motels and hotels that are canine friendly, especially if your dog is certified as a Canine Good Citizen. Make this the year that you train your dog to the point where passing that Canine Good Citizen test is a breeze so you can finally book that dreamed-of vacation.
Volunteer to Help Others
If you want to add a dog to your family, I urge you to seriously consider adopting a dog from an animal shelter. But if bringing a new dog home seems like a bit much at this time, you can always help out the dogs at a local shelter or rescue group or volunteer your time at an adoption fair.
Manage Debt
Consider putting your dog on a more natural diet. While the food may be a little more expensive than your dog’s current diet, the money you’ll save on vet visits and potential medications will offset those costs. And you may find that groceries are a non-taxable item, where dog food and treats are taxable. Moving toward a more natural diet could definitely put some extra money in your pocket.
Drink Less Alcohol
Again, training may be the answer. When you have a more fulfilled, better-mannered canine companion, you won’t need as much de-stressing, hence less alcohol. (Okay, maybe this one’s a stretch).
Get a Better Education
Getting your dog properly integrated into the dynamics of your household will allow you more free time to accomplish life’s bigger goals. By getting your dog the exercise, training, and diet enhancements you’ve been putting off, you’ll finally be able to finish that degree program.
If you resolve to make some or all of these lifestyle changes, you and your dog will see big benefits, both short and long term.
Happy New Year!
Chad Culp is a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and owner of Thriving Canine: Dog Training Services. He travels the Bay Area doing behavior consults and conducts obedience and non-competitive agility classes in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. To contact him, email chad@thrivingcanine.com.
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