Every year, dog parents commit to making the coming months happier and healthier for their fur babies. Promises to groom more regularly, go on more excursions, spend more time cuddling, and the list goes on! Having a wide array of goals can make them more challenging. Instead, try grouping goals under a common theme and spend the year ahead focusing on making substantial changes to one crucial aspect of your doggy’s life. With the short spring approaching, it’s time to consider your pup’s fur. Clip and brush their coat as often as possible, but if that’s not realistic for your schedule, use a drying dock to eliminate excess water daily. If you have the discipline to stick with one goal for months, this is a perfect time!
- Brush your dog every day
- Get a drying dock
- Fix their haircut in the summer
- Get a flea and tick preventative every month
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and get them to a vet or doctor immediately
- Use a cool pet pad on a hot day
- Wash their bedding at least once each month
- Get a water dish for your dog
- Hose off your walks before you come back inside
- Stop using dryer sheets in the spring. It’s perfectly natural for your dog to shed more than usual—but not just because they want to show off their new do e-in-a-blend. It’s also because they are getting rid of the old oils and dirt accumulated throughout the colder months, so yes, there will be more hair around. But if your dog is still shedding a lot, you can try these tips to help minimize the shedding.
Wellness
Have spa days at home. Is regular grooming already part of your plan? Opt for natural grooming products that soothe instead of irritating the skin to go the extra mile. Follow up with a paw and snout moisturizer to ensure skin stays soft and protected throughout the seasons. Spas and salons are a luxurious way to give your pet a day of pampering, but you don’t need to wait. The rest of your plan should already be in place—regular grooming is constantly grooming, after all!
Plan or schedule the annual check-up. By designing your pup’s yearly check-up, get some peace of mind (and take one more thing off the to-do list!). Alternatively, set time aside to think of questions for your vet that may be important for your growing dogs, such as diet changes and adjustments to exercise routines. A quick note on vaccinations: vaccinating your pet is a personal decision, and only some agree on how often or what type of vaccine schedule to use. If you have concerns about the frequency or timing of vaccines, talk with your vet about their recommendations for your pup. Plan or schedule the annual check-up. Get some peace of mind (and take one more thing off the to-do list!) by designing your pup’s annual check-up ahead of time, if possible. Alternatively, set time aside to think of questions for your vet that may be important for your growing dogs, such as diet changes and adjustments to exercise routines. A quick note on vaccinations: vaccinating your pet is a personal decision, and not everyone agrees. Some people choose not to vaccinate their pets and offer the same level of protection they would get from a vaccine. If you need to figure out what kind of protection you should be offering your pet, ask your vet whether it’s safe to leave their safety up to the chance of vaccines. Plan or schedule the annual check-up. By designing your pup’s yearly check-up, get some peace of mind (and take one more thing off the to-do list!). Your vet can examine more thoroughly and offer any needed treatment.
Upgrade your dog’s pee pad. Are you still using plastic wee pads? A pet potty like DoggieLawn can make a world of difference. They are natural alternatives to a wasteful single-use products. An indoor pet potty helps reduce the risk of seasonal dangers such as pests and frostbite! Replace your pet’s current food bowl with a stainless steel or ceramic. While many foods are safe to be eaten out of a dish, and some words could potentially harbor bacteria, stainless steel and ceramic bowls are the best way to keep your home free of germs that can live on the surface. If you have an outdoor pet, invest in a kennel or run. To keep your outdoor pup healthy and safe from the elements, ensure they have a dry, warm, and secure place to sit.
Companionship and Bonding
Foster new friendships. Hanging out with fellow pups is not only fun, but it’s also an essential part of dog socialization. Luckily, there’s no shortage of opportunities for your doggo to find new paw buddies. Whether it’s getting friendly with the neighbor’s puppy or having a birthday bash to introduce your dog to new canine companions, the journey is bound to be just as exciting as finding a furry BFF! Stay active. A lazy day can be just that, but when your furry friend gets to enjoy a nice romp in the park or head out for a walk to get some fresh air, it’s fun for everyone!
Be lazy together. Yes, exercising and engaging in mentally stimulating activities are essential, but spending some downtime together is equally important. The possibilities are endless if even the smaller, less eventful moments are reimagined as bonding opportunities. Maintain a deep understanding of one another. It’s crucial to have the ability to ask difficult questions, listen deeply, and empathize with one another regularly.
Additionally, it’s essential to love unconditionally from the other side of the relationship — it’s only fair that you love your partner like you would want them to love you back. Be supportive at every stage in life. This includes during pregnancy and childbirth and in the days, weeks, and months after the infant’s arrival. While it’s not easy to figure out how to be good partners at first, these tips will help you master your couplehood sooner rather than later.
Exercise and Play
Try a new interactive toy. Testing out new interactive toys allows dogs to exercise different problem-solving skills. If treat balls have been the go-to, try a snuffle mat instead. If snuffle mats have been the fan favorite at home, then a lick mat can also offer a satisfying change of pace. If a bell is your pup’s favorite, try a new type of bell or give your puppy a tug toy or interactive chew bones. Give your pal a break. If they need some downtime away from the toys, provide them with plenty of snuggle time and playtime with you to work their minds and bodies out. Chew bones, tug toys, and interactive games like fetch and Junior-Squeaker should be a regular part of your dog’s routine. If these still need to be added to the mix, introduce them now! If you have a toy currently in rotation with your pup, it’s not time to break it out just yet—give him some downtime from the action to test out new ones. Invest in a high-quality water bowlServe fresh water for your pup every day, and keep an eye on her for any sign of illness or discomfort. Be sure to give her plenty of time to drink between meals and some time at the end of the day when you both go out together so she can do her business. Be mindful of her water intake to avoid getting too much or too little. Make sure she gets plenty of exercises, and vary your daily walks with fetch, running, and other playtime activities to get the dog moving. Consider having a per-day amount you’ll commit to in terms of active time for your pup, and stick to it. The most important thing is ensuring your puppy gets lots of exercises and regular mental stimulation. The key is keeping that level up!
Do a training refresher. Revisiting training may sound tedious to humans, but it’s an excellent way for dogs to exercise their brains. Plus, the training process can be advantageous for goal-driven dogs, and it’s a way to strengthen the bond between you and your doggo! Teach your dog a new trick. Teaching them fun tricks and tasks is a fantastic way to bond with your dog. For example, teach your dog to roll over and offer a high-five if they do it correctly! How can people help dogs feel more relaxed about being in the crate? While we want to love and cherish our dogs, respecting their space and providing them with what they need is also essential. Here are some helpful tips for ensuring that your dog is happy while they’re in the crate:
1) Have your dog sleep in a familiar crate. Start with a small- or medium-sized crate, making the transition more straightforward.
2) Place treats near the crate for your dog to enjoy when they’re in there.
3) Keep the crate nearby for short periods, and carefully monitor your dog’s behavior during those times and their overall demeanor before putting them in the chest again. (Give them lots of love and snuggle sessions before putting them away.)
