American Kennel Club offers tips for the new year
A new calendar year brings about a great opportunity to implement new things into your routine. Just like their owners, dogs can develop bad habits over time. If your New Year’s resolutions include making healthier choices, chances are your dog could benefit from them too.
The American Kennel Club offers the following tips on how owners can start the year off on the right paw in 2023.
Obesity is a health problem that affects not only humans, but dogs too. Make sure you make daily walks a part of your routine, and remember that a healthy diet is just as important and necessary. Foods that have ingredients you can’t pronounce aren’t good – aim for real, healthy ingredients.
Meeting other people and dogs is a great way to bond with your dog. Going to a dog park or joining a dog-walking club will help your dog creative positive relationships. Unsocialized dogs can get nervous around other animals, causing them to become defensive.
Why not get a new hobby with your dog? An Agility, Obedience, or Rally competition is not only fun, but rewarding for you and your pup. Here, you’ll meet others with a similar love for dogs and watch your pup grow into a well-behaved, even-tempered and physically-fit companion.
Dogs make fantastic service animals to humans, such as visiting hospitals, helping those with disabilities and much more. There are so many ways you and your dog can contribute to serving their community. Contacting the volunteer director at your local hospital is a great place to starting finding places where you could volunteer with your dog.
Training classes are great for puppies, but it’s never too late for your pup to learn something new. Training classes are great ways to teach basic manners and socialization skills, strengthening the bond between you and your dog in the process.
