
What would the New Year be without resolutions? Setting goals with a clean slate is a great way to jump headfirst into the New Year.
However, while most of us have the best intentions, it is often hard to stick with New Year’s resolutions – no matter how helpful they may be.
Using a buddy is a great way to be held accountable. Why not involve your pup as your buddy and create New Year’s goals that allow both of you to reap the benefits?
Whether it’s making a new friend, eating healthier, or getting more exercise, we’re sharing seven ideas you and your pooch can do together to inspire a happier and healthier year.
Get active
Incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just 15 minutes. It’s a great way to increase your heart rates and spend quality time together.
Whether you go for a brisk walk or quick run with your pup or leash up your cat for an outdoor adventure around the block, the change of scenery is guaranteed to be a boredom buster.
Both you and your dog will be thankful for the fresh air and new memories made outdoors.
Consult your veterinarian and take your dog in for a wellness checkup before significantly changing your dog’s exercise routine.
To get active with your dog, consider these strategies:
Daily walks: Establish a routine of walking your dog daily. This provides physical exercise and stimulates your dog’s senses with new sights and smells.
Play fetch: Use a frisbee or a ball to play fetch in a safe, open area. This is an excellent way for your dog to burn off energy and for you to get moving, too.
Go to a dog park: If your pup is comfortable around other dogs, visiting a dog park allows your dog to run freely and socialize while you can engage in activities like jogging or playing with them.
Explore nature: Go on a hike or nature walk together. This can be a fun way to explore new environments and enjoy the outdoors.
Training sessions: Incorporate basic obedience training, nosework, or agility courses at home or take a class. This keeps your dog mentally stimulated while keeping both of you active.
Participate in events: Look for local dog-friendly events, such as fun runs or charity walks, that you can participate in together.
Benefits of getting active
Physical health: Regular exercise helps you and your dog maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of obesity-related issues.
Mental stimulation: Activities provide mental exercise for your dog, helping reduce boredom and potential behavioral problems.
Bonding time: Shared activities strengthen the bond between you and your dog, improving communication and trust.
Stress relief: Exercise is an excellent way to de-stress. Spending time outdoors with your dog can enhance your mood and well-being.
Socialization: Being active in public spaces exposes your dog to different people and dogs, promoting good social behavior.
Learn a new trick
Your dog may already have mastered things like “sit” and “stay,” but what about “rolling over,” “waving hello,” or “waving goodbye?”
Teaching your dog (or cat!) a new trick is a great way to keep their brains active.
Challenge your patience, and the accomplishment of mastering a new skill together will be an excellent confidence booster for both of you.
Here’s how you can achieve this goal together:
Choose the right trick: Start with something simple like “shake hands” or “rollover.” Pick a trick you think your dog will enjoy and learn quickly.
Use positive reinforcement: Encourage learning by rewarding your dog with treats, praise, or toys when it successfully performs the trick. This helps create a positive association with the new behavior.
Break it down: Divide the trick into smaller steps. Teach each step separately before combining them. This will help your dog understand what you want.
Practice: Short, consistent training sessions work best. Aim for 5-10 minutes daily to keep your dog engaged without overwhelming them.
Be patient: Stay calm and patient. Every dog learns at their own pace. Celebrate small successes to keep the training fun.
Use hand signals: Incorporate visual cues along with verbal commands to help your dog better understand what you want.
Gradually eliminate treats: As your dog masters the trick, gradually reduce treat rewards while offering praise to maintain motivation.
Benefits of learning tricks
Strengthened bond: Learning tricks enhances the bond you share with your dog, fostering trust and communication.
Mental stimulation: Teaching new tricks challenges your dog’s mind, helping to reduce boredom and associated behavioral issues.
Physical exercise: Tricks often involve movement, providing physical exercise that promotes overall health.
Socialization: A well-trained dog is often more confident and adaptable in social situations, making outings more enjoyable.
Showcasing skills: Once your dog learns a trick, you can show it off to friends and family, leading to positive interactions and recognition for both of you.
Improved obedience: Trick training often improves obedience, smoothing daily interactions and routines.
Eat healthy
On that note, teaching a new trick likely involves treats, so in the interest of helping you and your pup shed any extra holiday weight, commit to snacking on healthy alternatives whenever you can.
Healthy and tasty treats include fruits and veggies such as carrots, blueberries, apples and proteins such as cooked eggs, lean meats, and fish. When in doubt, check with your vet about how many calories your dog should eat daily.
Remember that these treats are meant to be just that—treats—and shouldn’t replace a specially formulated, well-balanced, and nutritious diet for your dog.
Petcurean’s NOWFRESH wet food recipes are packed in reclosable Tetra Pak cartons and made with 100% fresh ingredients. They feature zero-rendered meats, by-products, or artificial flavors. They make the perfect treat, meal topper, or a convenient, complete, balanced meal.
To achieve the goal of eating healthy for both you and your dog, consider the following steps:
Balanced diet: Ensure that both your and your dog’s meals are well-balanced. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. For your dog, consult with your vet to determine the best diet and any necessary supplements.
Homemade meals: Consider preparing homemade meals for yourself and your dog using fresh ingredients. This can help control what you consume and avoid harmful additives.
Portion control: Monitor portion sizes to prevent overeating. This applies to you and your dog, as maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health.
Regular exercise: Incorporate physical activities you can do together, such as walking, hiking, or playing fetch. This can help with weight management and keep both of you fit.
Stay hydrated: Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Limit treats: While treats (or dessert) are lovely, be mindful of how much you give to yourself and your dog. Choose healthy options and consider them part of the overall diet.
Benefits of achieving a healthy eating
Improved health: A healthier diet can lead to better overall health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases for you and your dog.
Increased energy: Eating nutritious foods can increase your energy levels, making engaging in activities with your dog easier.
Better mood: Good nutrition can improve your and your dog’s mental well-being and mood, leading to a happier home environment.
Longer life: A healthy lifestyle is linked to increased longevity for humans and pets, allowing you to enjoy more time together.
Stronger bond: Engaging in healthy habits can strengthen the bond between you and your dog, making for a healthier relationship. Focusing on these steps and benefits will create a healthier lifestyle for you and your furry friend!
Say goodbye to bad habits
Make a list of habits you want to kick for you and your pup and tackle them together.
This might include leaving your shoes lying around at the door, your pup chewing them, portion sizes that are too generous, and your dog begging for the table scraps.
Keeping your dog accountable for their bad habits might be just the motivation you need to say goodbye to your own. Whatever they might be, there’s no better time than a new year to get a fresh start.
Here are some ways you can work together to accomplish this goal:
Identify bad habits: List the specific habits you want to change. This might include excessive barking, jumping, or chewing furniture for your dog. For you, it might involve inconsistent training or lack of exercise.
Establish a routine: Dogs thrive on routine, so create a consistent schedule for feeding, walks, and playtime. This helps in building structure and predictability, which can curb unwanted behaviors.
Positive reinforcement: Focus on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. Use treats, praise, or playtime to reinforce positive habits in your dog.
Training sessions: Regular training sessions can help you learn and reinforce desirable behaviors. Consider enrolling in a training class or following online tutorials addressing specific bad habits.
Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals for both you and your dog. Breaking down the process into small, manageable steps will make tracking progress and staying motivated easier.
Be consistent: Consistency is necessary to eradicate bad habits. Ensure that everyone in your household applies the same rules and training techniques.
Get professional help: If changing certain bad habits proves challenging, consider working with an experienced trainer or a behaviorist who can provide guidance tailored to your situation.
Benefits of breaking bad habits
Improved behavior: By overcoming bad habits, you will foster a better-behaved dog, making your home more pleasant and reducing stress for both of you.
Strengthened bond: Working together on training and behavior modification can strengthen the bond between you and your dog, enhancing your relationship and trust.
Enhanced enjoyment: A well-behaved dog can make walks, outings, and other activities much more enjoyable, allowing you to engage with your dog in new environments without worry.
Health benefits: Good behavior often correlates with a healthier lifestyle. Regular exercise and mental stimulation can improve your dog’s physical and mental health as well as your own.
Increased confidence: As you both learn and grow, your dog will gain confidence with new skills, and you’ll feel more confident in handling different situations effectively.
Make a new friend
Whether visiting the dog park or enrolling in an obedience class (yes, there are cat training classes, too), make a point to see new places where you and your dog are likely to encounter other dog lovers.
Socialization is an essential part of your pup’s behavior development, and we promise he’ll thank you for the playdates and new adventures to come.
Who knows? Thanks to your friendly pooch, you might even have some luck expanding your social circle.
To make a new friend with your dog, you can take several steps that create opportunities for socialization:
Visit dog parks: Going to local dog parks allows your dog to interact with other dogs while you meet other pet parents.
Join training classes: Enroll in obedience or agility classes. It’s a great way to learn together and connect with other dog owners.
Attend meetups or dog events: Look for dog-friendly events in your community, such as pet expos or fundraising walks.
Walk in busy areas: Take your dog for walks in busy neighborhoods, where you’re likely to encounter other dog owners.
Use social media: Join local pet groups on platforms like Facebook or Meetup to find friends for you and your dog.
Benefits of making new friends
Socialization: Your dog will become more comfortable around other dogs and people, which can reduce anxiety and boredom.
Friendship: You’ll form connections with other pet owners, leading to friendships beyond just your pets.
Physical activity: Meeting with other dogs encourages more playtime and exercise, which is essential for a dog’s health.
Shared experience: You can share tips, experiences, and advice with fellow dog owners, enhancing your knowledge and enjoyment of pet ownership.
Improved health: Both you and your dog can benefit from lower stress, increased happiness, and the joy of companionship. Making new friends can enhance your life and your dog’s, creating a more enriching experience.
Go green
Organic and sustainable aren’t just buzzwords. We can all take steps to minimize our carbon footprint (and pawprint) to contribute to preserving our earth and oceans.
Consider purchasing products that use less plastic packaging, upcycling old clothes and toys to make new toys, and researching to make the most earth-friendly choices possible when sourcing things like food, gear, bedding, or new toys.
For instance, the packaging for Petcurean’s GATHER recipes uses sugarcane, a plant-based material that is sustainably produced and renewable. Using plant-based materials reduces the use of petroleum-based resources by 30%.
Achieving a green lifestyle with your dog can be rewarding for both of you.
Here are some tips on how to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle and the benefits that come with it:
Eco-friendly products: Choose biodegradable waste bags for your dog’s potty breaks and natural grooming products free from harmful chemicals.
Sustainable food choices: Consider feeding your dog organic, locally sourced food or making homemade dog treats with natural ingredients. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with mass-produced pet foods.
Adopt, don’t shop: To expand your furry family, consider adopting from a shelter. This reduces the number of animals in shelters and encourages a more humane approach to pet ownership.
Recyclable toys: Look for toys made from recycled materials or opt for durable options that can withstand playtime instead of frequently replacing cheap toys.
Walk, don’t drive: Instead of driving to the dog park, walk or bike there. It’s a great way to get fresh air and exercise while reducing emissions.
Compost pet waste: If you have a garden, consider composting dog waste using special composters made for pet waste. This will ensure that the waste doesn’t contaminate your plants.
Participate in clean-ups: Join community clean-up events with your dog. It’s a great way to enjoy nature while helping to keep it clean.
Benefits of going green together
Healthier lifestyle: Going green often involves more outdoor activities, leading to a healthier lifestyle for you and your dog.
Stronger bond: Engaging in eco-friendly activities fosters a stronger bond between you and your pet as you spend quality time together.
Environmental impact: Leading a more sustainable life helps protect the environment for future generations, including for your furry friends.
Cost savings: Many eco-friendly practices can lead to cost savings, such as making your pet food or treats, which can be less expensive than store-bought options.
Positive community engagement: Participating in green initiatives can connect you with like-minded individuals, building a community that values sustainability.
Adopting these practices will lessen your environmental footprint and enhance your life and your dog’s well-being.
Invest in self-care
Schedule a day of regular pampering and relaxation, whether once a month or once a week.
Treat your pup to a gentle massage followed by a special treat. Once they’ve settled in for a nice long nap, take some time for yourself and indulge in an activity that lets you unwind and recharge for the busy week ahead.
Intentional quality time for both you and your furry best friend is an investment worth making.
A new year is a perfect time to start tackling new goals or re-attempting goals you’ve put on the back burner. We all know how hard it can be to stick to those resolutions throughout the year, but we hope that setting and achieving goals for your dog will inspire you to make this year your best.
Investing in self-care is essential for you and your dog, as it improves your well-being and strengthens your bond.
Daily walks: Make daily walks a routine. They’re an excellent way for both of you to get exercise and fresh air. Choose different routes to keep them interesting for your dog.
Playtime: Engage in play sessions that involve activities your dog enjoys. Whether it’s fetch, tug-of-war, or just running around, playtime is a fun way to relieve stress for both of you.
Mindfulness: Spend quiet moments with your dog, practicing mindfulness. Sitting together peacefully can help center your thoughts and promote relaxation.
Training and learning: Invest time in training or learning new tricks with your dog. This stimulates your dog’s mind and creates a fulfilling experience.
Regular grooming: Schedule grooming sessions to keep your dog clean and healthy. It can be a bonding experience and is often soothing for both of you.
Healthy nutrition: Focus on balanced, nutritious diets for you and your dog. Prepare meals that nourish your body, and maybe even share some safe fruits or vegetables as treats.
Mental health breaks: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take breaks together. Whether it’s a quick trip to the park or just lounging at home, a change of scenery can be refreshing.
Self-care benefits
Stronger bond: Self-care strengthens your relationship, fostering trust and companionship.
Improved health: Regular exercise improves your and your dog’s physical health, enhancing mood and overall well-being.
Stress relief: Taking time for self-care helps reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to feel more relaxed and happy.
Enhanced happiness: Spending quality time and having fun leads to more joy in both your lives and creates lasting memories.
Better behavior: A well-exercised dog is generally more well-behaved. Self-care activities can help channel excess energy, leading to a calmer pet.
Final thoughts on New Year’s goals
The New Year presents an excellent opportunity to foster growth and positivity for yourself and your furry companion.
By setting shared goals with your dog, you can enhance your bond while embarking on a journey toward healthier habits and happier experiences together.
Whether you get more exercise, eat better, or simply enjoy quality time, these resolutions can lead to a more fulfilling year for you and your pup.
Remember, the key to sticking with resolutions lies in accountability and support, and who better to join you on this journey than your four-legged friend?
Embrace this fresh start, and make the most of the special moments and memories ahead.
Make a New Year’s resolution to spend more time with your dog