With the arrival of a new year inevitably comes a variety of new year's "resolutions." We vow to better ourselves through losing weight, quitting smoking, save up for holiday, and so on. But how may we improve ourselves as pet owners? What new year's resolutions should dog owners consider? Here are some suggestions for your consideration.
1. To provide your dog with the highest quality nutrition possible
2. Make it a point to ensure your dog's health through providing adequate and appropriate exercise.
3. Be realistic about your dog's weight. Obesity shortens longevity, both in dogs and people. If you can't feel your dog's ribs easily, he is too fat. Ask your vet for guidance in regulating his weight and achieving healthy body condition.
4. Train your dog. Make training a fun time, it will make life more enjoyable for your dog by providing him with the mental stimulation that all dogs need and crave.
5. Keep your dog well-groomed and maintained. Mats in the fur, parasitic infestations, rotten teeth, overgrown toenails, embedded collars, yeasty ears, oozing or itchy eyes, hot spots, etc. are all unsightly and worse, uncomfortable for dogs. Routine care and maintenance can significantly improve your dog's quality of life.
6. Make time for your dog. This may mean rearranging your schedule. It may mean walk your dog. It may mean skipping Wednesday night ladies' night so that you can enroll in the agility class you wanted to take. It may mean spending less time on Facebook and more time playing, training, exercising with your dog.
7. Keep learning and improving as a pet owner. What does your dog love? What stresses him out? How does he communicate his emotions through body language. Understanding your dog will enable you to be a better friend to him, this year and every year.
8. Help a less fortunate dog at least once this year. Remember that not all dogs are as lucky as yours. Not all dogs have regular meals, veterinary care, someone who loves them and will play with them, a home to call their own. There are many ways you can help less fortunate dogs - by making donations (either goods-beds, leashes, collars, food, toys, etc. or cash) to a local shelter or rescue, volunteering at a local shelter or rescue, organize fundraisers.
9. Be appreciative of how wonderful your dog is. One of the biggest elements of successful training is looking for desirable behaviors and reinforcing them with something your dog likes and appreciates - a treat, a butt scratch, a game of tug, the opportunity to go for a walk. Never miss an opportunity to thank your dog for good behavior.
