Bella & Duke’s Canine Behaviourist shares her top tips on how to build healthy habits for your pet in 2023.
New year is a time many of us set out our goals to make for an unforgettable year. We all know that life is a little easier with a friend by your side, and the same can be said when taking on new experiences or challenges. Having a list of resolutions or goals that you can tackle head on with your furry friend is not only a great way to start the year on a good note, but can also help to improve your relationship with them and build a stronger bond.
To ensure you get off on the right foot (or paw!) for 2023, Bella & Duke’s Natural Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer Dip.AdvCanBhv, gives her top resolutions both you and your pet can stick to for a happier and healthier new year:
1. Take up a new shared hobby – it’s good to be in the habit of taking your dog for their daily walks but there is so much more you can do to get in some exciting and engaging exercise. Look into swimming with your dog, playing frisbee, dancing, or hill walking. Know your dog and their capabilities and get creative with low impact exercises!
2. Improve your knowledge of pet wellbeing & nutrition – there’s a vast array of resources out there to learn about what to feed your pets and what to keep far away. To avoid any unnecessary trips to the vets take some time to read up on what may upset your dog’s stomach or potentially affect their attitude and wellbeing. Bella & Duke have public guides on what to avoid and what is perfectly fine to feed your furry friend.
3. Explore unique locations – although daily walks are essential for maintaining your and your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing doing the same route every day can become a chore. Switch up from the expected every now and then, forests can be beautiful places to walk your dog in. Better yet, take them out to see one of the many heritage sites across the country. Appreciating history is always more fun with a furry friend by your side. Allow your dog off the lead once you know it’s safe to do so and be sure to keep an eye on them in case they shows signs of getting too tired.
4. Brush up on your grooming – create a good habit of regularly grooming your pet. Not only does this remove any old fur that could be causing discomfort or overheating but grooming is a great chance to spend quality bonding time with your dog.
5. Don’t be too hard on yourself – variety is good but sometimes overstimulating, if you and your pet are feeling particularly tired and can’t bear the thought of going on a new adventure that’s not to worry. Dedicating time to stay in with your pet and have a moment to be with one another is completely normal, and recommended! Not every day has to be different to the last, take the time to appreciate the little things and bond with your dog no matter whether you’re out and about or cuddled up at home.
On the topic of New Year resolutions, we put this question to the Bella & Duke community group, and got some pretty funny responses. Here are some of our top picks from ‘The Pack’, plus some handy tips to help you achieve these resolutions in jig time:
- Stop stealing my owner’s socks – the best way to make sure your canine companion doesn’t decide to swipe some socks is to understand how to speak to your dog. Don’t overreact, shout, and cause a potentially anxious situation, instead deal with it in a calm manner, this could be how they show affection and are looking to snuggle in with something that smells like you. One way to help them with this resolution could be to give them an old jumper with your scent for them to take back to a place of comfort.
- Stop barking at thin air and the invisible man – while it may seem like they are barking at the invisible man it is important to remember that there is always a reason for a dog’s bark, but it’s not always a cause for concern. Next time make sure to acknowledge your dog’s bark with a kindly spoken word of your choice. E.g. “Gotcha” or “That’ll do.” Lead them away from the trigger of the bark and reassure them that everything is okay even if you can’t find the source of disturbance.
- Stop peeing on the furniture – while it may seem like a novel resolution there are steps that you can take to stop your dog using your coffee table as a toilet. Try spritzing the area of furniture with a diluted vinegar solution as they will naturally avoid the smell of it.
Caroline Spencer Dip.AdvCanBhv, Natural Canine Behaviourist at Bella & Duke, added: “New year’s resolutions can be a fantastic way for us to look to improve our physical and mental wellbeing, and by making sure you include your pet you can also greatly increase the bond between you both. Spending time with your pet is something that should be looked forward to and cherished, take the time to set out some goals to include your dog in new and engaging experiences throughout the year. This can be taking a new route on your daily walk to finding a new shared hobby or even introducing some new healthy treats or chews. Taking these steps can allow your pet to live the happy and healthy long lives they deserve.”
