Happy 2023 to all the pet owners and lovers out there! We hope you enjoyed relaxing and indulging with your loved ones over the holidays.

We’re now part way through January and if you’ve been indifferent to committing to any new year goals, it’s time to make some promises. Or maybe, you’ve made a lot of personal goals but forgot that you could also include goals involving your dog.

Here’s our suggestions for easy, attainable goals that will be good for both you and your precious pup.

The winter has brought colder weather to a lot of areas all over North America, sometimes completely unexpected. But we understand how colder weather can really cut walks short—walks that were probably a bit shorter compared to the start of the year because we all run a bit low on energy at the end of the year.

However, the new year has begun and it’s time to make sure both you and your dog get moving a little more often! Whether this is a short-term goal to get back to your norm, or a long-term target to add extra workout minutes in, this new year’s resolution is going to be good for both of you!

So how do you make sure you see success with this goal? There’s lots of little things you could do like go walking with a friend or maybe aim to get to that coffee shop that’s a little further away from your home. No one said more exercise couldn’t be rewarded.

If one of your goals is to get more exercise, you could probably visit a new dog-friendly location and fill your exercise quota as well. However, bringing your dog to one new dog-friendly location and saying you’ve met your exercise goal probably isn’t beneficial. That’s why we’ve categorized it as its own separate goal!

Never want to be apart from your dog? This new year goal will be easy and enjoyable for you—if you’re close enough to pet-friendly spots.

You can aim to tackle this goal in two ways: Introduce your dog to a new indoor spot that’s dog friendly or get outdoors and visit different trails, hikes, or dog parks. The outdoor route is probably the more obvious one, and often easier for more people. Finding indoor spots can be tricky, depending on where you live but they’re no less stimulating! If you work out at a dog-friendly gym or know of a café that allows dogs, this is your sign to bring them in.

Whether you decide on a cozy day in or an adventurous day out, we think it’s a great idea to consult other pet-owners and make a wish list of spots you want to go with your dog. Instead of only seeing one new dog-friendly place, you’ll get to explore multiples and you’ll be doing it with your best friend.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeding your dog grocery store kibble, premium kibble, or a pre-made raw diet, there are always ways that you can improve your dog’s diet. Depending on your dog (their sensitivities / preferences) and what you’re feeding them right now, you’ll be able to enhance your pet’s food. 

We suggest one of the following routes to achieve this transformative goal:

• Add human-grade meat or veggies as toppers to their regular meals if they’re on a kibble diet.
• Remember to add moisture, especially if they’re eating kibble or dehydrated foods. This can be done with plain water; however, there are benefits of adding bone broth or coconut water as well!
• Give your dog a bone, or if you’re not comfortable with that, at least let them chew at a dental health treat.
• Try out supplements—we think camelina oil is your best option! We may be a bit biased, but it’s a great source of omega-3’s (a fatty acid your dog scientifically requires) and our production process keeps it simple.

In 2023 your dog deserves the gift of longer, healthier living—and you can easily give them that with small tweaks and additions to their diet.

No matter what level of obedience your dog is at, you can always reach for the sky! Obedience is often an overlooked part of dog ownership. If your dog is a real pro, congrats—we know that’s a lot of work. And, if your dog still needs lots of work, that’s okay because as we said dog obedience is hard.

Make sure that this year you make sure to keep on top of practicing obedience with your dog. Ensuring your dog knows basic commands in multiple situations and settings could save your dog’s life, and allow you to bring them out with you more often (without worrying as much).

Write out a couple of simple obedience accomplishments you’d like to see by the end of the year and slowly work towards them. It can be as simple as “make sure they can stay in the down position for 2 minutes”.

Remember this takes time and not to rush!

So you’re a veteran at dog ownership and have tried lots. If you’ve got your basic obedience down and a routine to practice, why not go outside of your comfort zone this year?

Dog sports are an amazing way to stimulate a dog and even allow them to do things they are naturally inclined to do. For example, if you have a bloodhound, you should practice some scentwork at home or outside and then join a competition! Afterall, they’re bred to use their strong nose.

Whether you have a dog who loves to herd, a scenthound, or a fluffy northern breed who lives to pull, there’s a dog sport out there for you and your dog. Have some fun, try something new, and meet lots of like-minded friends!

Now you have some ideas on what types of goals you can make for you and your dog… But how to make them really achievable?

Make SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound). Basically, make sure you’re setting goals that will work for you personally and don’t be afraid to go slowly! It’s better to build up over a longer period, then push yourself too hard and lose motivation altogether.

Good luck to you and your dog. We know you guys have got this!