New Years Resolutions for your dog…sounds funny, but its not. The most made resolutions made by us humans is to get exercise. During the winter months it’s never more important to stimulate your dog than now. Just like you, your dog can get cabin fever and depressed when the weather gets cold and out door playtime subsides. Creating healthy habits and stimulating indoor activities is a great way to keep your dog stimulated and happy. Here are a few easy ways to create New Years Resolutions for your dog and keep them happy and healthy throughout the lazy days of winter.

Perhaps Santa brought you a new treadmill this year…what a great way to walk the dog.  Start out slow, perhaps having your dog walk just through your warm up and then incorporate a jog. Soon enough when asked to go for a walk your dog will head straight for the treadmill and not the door.

This next idea is a low impact exercise but a fun one for both of you to incorporate. Teach your dog how to play hide and seek. Use their favorite toy or a snack, hide the object while your dog is watching and use a voice command to stimulate them to find the object. Once he or she catches on to the game try hiding it without them seeing but reinforce with the voice command. Don’t loose patience, your still stimulating an activity. Have you ever heard of a Kong? It is a chew toy that you put snacks inside of. This could be a good way to start the game, you stimulate with a toy and a snack…don’t forget the voice command. Hide and seek is a great New Years Resolutions for your dog.

Dancing is an excellent way to get up and move, music motivates everyone. Try putting on your favorite playlist and get Rover on the dance floor with you. Teach him some moves or just make sure he’s up and active. If dancing isn’t your thing how about yoga? Adding yoga to your exercise program is a great way to circulate the blood flow, stretch muscle and even massage your insides. Start easy but don’t forget to challenge yourself. This will be slightly more challenging for our dog but it can be a hands on bonding experience you both will enjoy. Dancing and yoga can be a New Years Resolutions for your dog and his master.

It’s never a better time to consider doggy daycare. Now that the winter is upon us and you are off to work or the gym, why not consider part time doggy daycare. This stimulates the lazy days of winter and adds socialization for your dog.

Lastly lets talk the next biggest New Years resolutions made by us all. Healthy eating habits are easier than you may think. Keeping good snacks on hand is the key to accomplishing this resolution. Stop buying junk and you cant eat it…stock up on healthy options. Making good snacks for your dog at home is simple and smart. Use the foods you eat and incorporate them into snacks for your dog. See our blog for Wicked Easy Homemade Dog Treats.

That’s it! New Years Resolutions for your dog isn’t as silly as it may sound. In fact it’s crucial for a healthy dog to get up and go and eat good throughout the lazy days of winter.