As we ditch that last bit of Christmas candy and move into a new year filled with new potential and new beginnings, I can’t help but wonder how many of our typical New Year’s resolutions can have a dual purpose that includes our dogs.

According to a USA.gov survey, the top 10 New Year’s resolutions range from managing stress to losing weight. So, as a dog trainer who is always looking for win-win situations, I can’t help but wonder how many of the most popular New Year’s resolutions can be redesigned in ways that benefit us as well as our dogs. We all know that a family with a well behaved dog is a happy family in general.

So let’s take a look at the 10 most popular resolutions:

1. Get fit
2. Save money
3. Manage stress
4. Volunteer to help others
5. Give up smoking
6. lose weight
7. Take a trip
8. drink less alcohol
9. Manage debt
10. get a better education

Now let’s take a look at how these resolutions can be modified in a way that benefits both dogs and humans:

1. Get fit – It seems easier to stick to a workout routine when you have a workout partner who keeps you honest. If your New Year’s resolution is to exercise twenty minutes a day, why not create an exercise program that your dog can join you in? It’s the ultimate win/win situation. You exercise and your dog gets a chance to burn off some excess energy…and you get a chance to bond. Exercising with your dog is not only good for both bodies, it’s good for both souls.
2. Save money – Store-bought treats can be very expensive and packed with condoms. Instead of paying too much money for a bag of too few treats, why not break out that dehydrator you had a couple of birthdays ago and use it to make your own dog jerky? The next time you and your family have leftover meat that you were planning to throw away, I recommend cutting the leftovers into small, treat-sized bites and drying them in the dehydrator. Not only will you reduce food waste, but you’ll also be able to stock up on some inexpensive, preservative-free dog treats. If you don’t have a dehydrator, it’s not a problem. You can still use your leftover meat… just be sure to put your goodie bag full of goodies in the fridge to keep them fresh.
3. Manage stress – I’ve been training dogs long enough to know that a misbehaving or poorly trained dog can put a lot of pressure on a family. So make this the year you enroll your dog in a basic obedience class to kick-start those skills. If your problems go beyond basic obedience training, I recommend getting help at home to get your puppy’s bad habits under control once and for all. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the dog you’ve always dreamed of and finally have that stress gone?
4. Volunteer to help others – If you are in the market to add a dog to your family, consider adopting a dog from your local shelter. There are many great dogs that need good homes.
5. Give up smoking – Anyone who has tried to fight tobacco addiction knows that one of the hardest parts of quitting smoking is figuring out how to manage those cravings when common triggers occur. Redirecting is something we do with dogs all the time. When puppies chew on something they shouldn’t, we redirect them to an appropriate toy until it becomes a learned and acceptable habit. We renew them. Well, that works with people too. So the next time you have that trigger cup of coffee in the morning, reach for your dog and the leash instead of a cigarette. Your dog will appreciate going for a walk and you’ll get a little boost from the natural chemicals that exercise produces. He will get a buzz from working out instead of smoking.
6. Lose weight – The only thing better than living a long and healthy life is living a long and healthy life with your loved ones. When you find yourself deciding where to take your weekly Saturday walk, why not find a dog-friendly spot for your dog to tag along? Both of you will get a good workout while having a good chance to bond. When you get home, your dog will be nice and placid, so you’ll have a chance to try on those smaller pants.
7. Take a trip – Many people can’t take the vacation they’ve always wanted because they don’t feel comfortable leaving their dog. Today, there are many hotels that allow dogs, as long as the dog is a good canine citizen. Make this the year you train your dog to the point where passing the Canine Good Citizen test is easy so you can finally book that trip and include your dog.
8. drink less alcohol – When you have a better behaved and more satisfied canine companion, you will find that you will need fewer spirits as life will be more enjoyable and less stressful. (ok, this could be a stretch).
9. Manage debt – If your dog is on commercial dog food, consider putting him on a more natural diet. While food may be a bit more expensive than your dog’s current diet, the money you’ll save on additional vet visits and possible medications will more than offset those costs.
10. get a better educationNo – Getting your puppy to integrate correctly into the dynamics of your home will give you more free time to achieve the biggest goals in life. By giving your dog the training, exercise, and diet upgrades he’s been putting on the back burner, he’ll finally be able to finish that Ph.D. program. Who knew that training your dog could be a big step in catapulting your life to the next milestone?

Now that you can see how these changes are possible, make a plan to incorporate them as permanent lifestyle changes. You and your dog will see the benefits, both long term and short term.

Happy New Year!

Chad Culp with http://www.ThrivingCanine.com/blog