You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: Incorporating Your Dog’s Wellbeing into Your New Year’s Resolutions

by Lisa Tulipani, Melrose Dog Society (Re-blogged from 1/17/2014)

Photo used with permission from Pugs and Kisses

As this third week of 2014 draws to a close, some folks continue to successfully tackle their shiny New Year’s resolutions with ambition and gusto, while others’ aspirations may seem to have already lost their luster and fallen by the wayside. What makes a resolution attainable, achievable, and conquerable? There are various strategies one can employ to help those new founded priorities prevail, but what works for one person may not be fit for another. That being said, the Melrose Dog Society would like to present a battle plan for success in this New Year that may not have crossed your mind just yet: involve your dog.

Yes, that is correct. Take better care of yourself and achieve your goals by taking better care of your canine companion and incorporating him or her into your New Year’s resolutions. Let’s explore this idea further, but through the guise of some common goals folks tend to focus upon this time of year.

• Exercising - You do not need a fancy gym membership to feel the burn! Try adding in an extra daily walk with your dog or for starters, increase your current walking time by just 10 minutes. Make your walking route more challenging by traversing areas with varying inclines. To add interest while on walks, change your route altogether by driving to a new location, allowing you and your dog to experience and explore new surroundings. A change of scenery or routine can make once seemingly monotonous walks with your pooch more stimulating and invigorating for the both of you.

• Eating Healthy - Hoping to change your eating habits and work towards a healthier you? Don’t go the journey alone - take a look at your dog’s dietary intake as well. As dogs grow and age, their nutritional needs can alter. Just as you would check with your own physician before embarking on a new dietary regimen, consult with your dog’s veterinarian to see what you can do to improve upon your dog’s diet and ensure him or her a happy and healthy life. This could mean strictly measuring portions at meal times, switching to a higher quality food, cutting down on treats, or even changing the type of treats your dog gets as rewards. Just as with humans, a dog’s wellbeing can benefit as a result of a healthier diet; a change can improve joint health, skin/coat, digestion, and overall longevity. If you are striving to make positive health changes for yourself, don’t go it alone - let Fido reap the benefits of a healthy diet along with you!

• Spending More Quality Time with the Ones You Love - A great way to spend quality time with your pooch and your loved ones is to work on obedience training as a team. You can sign up for formal training classes, or, if you are in a crunch for time and money, take out an animal obedience book from the library (FYI - positive reinforcement training methods have been all the rage for the past few years). Whether teaching your dog some new tricks or brushing up on basic commands, working together with friends and family alike will increase your bond with one another, as well as each of your bonds with your dog.

• Being More Social - Have a hard time mingling and meeting new people? Let your dog break the ice for you. As the weather warms and spring time approaches, opportunities for new activities and interactions increase. Look for dog interest groups under the “Pets and Animals” category on Meetup.com. You’ll find a variety of local fido friendly activities that you and your pup can attend together. Many groups meet at least monthly, and are either activity or breed/size based. Perhaps you and your dog would like to join a hiking group and explore the trails of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. If a breed based gathering sparks your interest, you have many to choose from, such as Pug Rescue of New England’s monthly Pug Meet-up at Boston Red Dog. Looking for something more formal? The Liberty Hotel and the Seaport Hotel in Boston host weekly “Yappy Hours” during warmer months for dogs and their humans. Both hotels offer their own version of a canine cocktail hour on their respective outdoor patios Wednesday evenings starting in April/May and ending in October - be sure to check their websites for more details once spring has sprung.

• Resolving to be Involved - Volunteer at a local animal shelter/rescue organization or join a group within your community that works towards doing good deeds for animals, such as the Melrose Dog Society. There are many dog park improvement projects coming our way in 2014, and volunteers are always appreciated and welcome to lend a hand. You can become involved with the Melrose Dog Society by interacting with other Melrosians and dog park goers via Facebook (Melrose Dog Society) and by following our photos (as well as posting your own dog's pictures) on the MDS Instagram account (#melrosedogsociety). Better yet, attend the Melrose Dog Society monthly meetings to discuss plans for improving and maintaining the Melrose Dog Park and the experiences of the dogs and people who frequent it. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month - specific times and locations are posted on the Melrose Dog Society Facebook page and on the bulletin board down at the dog park itself (350 Lynn Fells Parkway, across from the Middle and High Schools). Check us out on the web as well at www.melrosedogsociety.org. We’d love to see you at our next meeting which will take place on February 5th, 7pm @ Absolutely Fabulous, 454 Main Street, Melrose - just be sure to RSVP to the meeting on our Facebook page. All are welcome to participate!

Whatever it is that you are hoping to change in the year that lies ahead, make a plan, be adventurous, and dare to dream. Who knows, with your best furry friend by your side, there may be no limit to what you can accomplish. Happy New Year to one and all!

*A version of this article was published in the Melrose Free Press on January 16, 2014.

To contribute to the Melrose Dog Society Dog Blog, please contact us via our website at www.melrosedogsociety.org or “Like” and send us a message via Facebook.

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