New Year’s Resolutions

Do you have a resolution this year? 

Eileen Santos of Norco says, “To lose weight.”  Emily Fischer of Riverside says, “To become debt free.”  Tanya Cisneros of Riverside says, “To stop biting my nails.”  Whether it’s to stop biting your nails or to buy a house this year, we typically only think about resolutions as a human thing and not about our dogs.  Even if you decided not to have a resolution this year, you might want to consider one for your dog; especially if he has a few extra pounds or a few bad habits to kick. 

Believe it or not, a lot of dogs deal with weight and behavioral issues because they don’t get enough daily exercise.  Dogs were born and bred to work, so without regular exercise and mental stimulus they are known to be more destructive and ill-behaved due to boredom.  And unlike humans, dogs cannot substitute the benefits they get from being active with other hobbies (like reading or painting).

Benefits of Regular Exercise Include:

·         Strengthens the immune system

·         Increases blood circulation

·         Reduces the risk of heart disease and other illnesses

·         Reduces or eliminates digestive problems

·         Reduces susceptibility to urinary infections

·         Reduces stress and the likelihood of depression

·         Keeps dog from becoming obese which could result in depression and/or diabetes

·         Reduces the chance of arthritis in senior years

·         Reduces boredom and therefore bad behavior such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking

·         Helps to build confidence

·         Reduces anxiety which may cause a dog to become aggressive or territorial

·         Calms hyperactive dogs

It is recommended that smaller breeds get a daily workout of about 20 – 30 minutes and 2 -3 walks per day.  Larger Breeds are recommended to get 40 minutes of an intense cardio workout per day.  

If your dog is over-weight, exercise may not be his only problem.  Take a step back and look at what he is eating on a regular basis.  Does he get spoiled with treats? Are his meal portions too large? What is in the dog food he eats?  A lot of dog treats and kibble on the market are made up of fillers and products that were never in your dog’s natural diet.  This and over feeding (especially with treats) can cause your dog to gain weight, just like when humans over eat and eat things that aren’t healthy.  

Behavioral issues will be reduced with regular exercise but they won’t disappear.  Bad habits like chewing, jumping, digging, and excessive barking take regular training sessions as well as exercise.  While many behavioral issues are similar, every dog is unique and every circumstance is different, so if you need help ask a professional dog trainer for advice on where to start.  Of course, there are tons of free resources online to help you get your dog into behavioral shape.  Just remember, it takes patience and consistency, but it is worth every minute.

It’s time to get serious about turning your dog into a shining model canine citizen.  Talk to your veterinarian about the best place to start with your dog.  Does he need a new diet?  What is the best exercise regime for him and your family’s lifestyle?  And if your vet can’t answer your questions, well then you may want to make another New Year’s resolution to find a new vet.