During this unprecedented time with the Covid-19 pandemic, some people have been on stay at home orders for quite some time. The pandemic has affected people in so many ways mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s now more important than ever to simply enjoy the extra time we have at home together with our loved ones, especially our pups. Having a habit or routine down would be a great idea to share something that you and your pup can implement together to stay healthy, sane, and happy. It’s never too late to start off on the right foot (or paw). Here’s 6 healthy habits for you and your pup.
1. Daily Walks
This one is a no-brainer, however sometimes it's easy to skip walking due to various reasons. Daily walks should be an enjoyable time with your pup. Generally, a dog should get a total of 30-45 minutes of exercise, twice a day. We recommend once in the morning and once more in the evening before you head to bed. It can be as simple as a walk around your neighborhood or to your favorite dog park. Not only will your dog start off with the right paw, but it’s a good way to clear your head and plan your day out. Keep the time and length of each walk consistent which will make a super happy pup.
2. Hike
If you can't find time to go on daily walks, another option is to add a longer walk or a hike to your schedule for the weekend. There's tons of hike options from easy, moderate, to difficult depending on the level of experience. A good app recommendation to find your nearest hike trails is Alltrails or Yelp. Make sure when you do your hike research that they are indeed dog-friendly. A hike will give you and your pup some great quality time together. It'll be a nice change of scenery and pace to your daily walk routine. Also, adding long walks will help your pup's endurance levels. If you are a beginner, of course, always start with a few miles and build up from there.
3. Grooming
This one is where most pet owners forget or perhaps it’s your pup’s worst nightmare. Grooming is just as important in keeping them happy, healthy, and beautiful. Get in the habit of brushing your pup's fur, teeth, and nail trimming to keep them in shape, at least once per week. Dogs with more coat and hair that tangles easily, at least twice or three times per week. The more grooming, the better! Even a waterless shampoo or grooming wipes will help with the smell and freshen your pup’s coat. If your pup isn't a fan of the grooming, especially the nails, take them to the nearest pet salon or simply book with your local groomer to take care of all your pup's grooming needs. With puppies, you want to make sure you start grooming them as soon as possible, so they can associate grooming with a positive experience.
4. New Tricks
Teaching new tricks to your pup is a good way to have them stay engaged with you. Any dog at any age can learn new tricks. The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is simply not true. Older dogs can learn new tricks, it’ll just take them a bit longer than a puppy who is curious and is always constantly learning. Just because the pups are older doesn’t mean they don’t want to learn. Dogs love to please their owners. Remember to always praise with positive reinforcement and give them their favorite treats as rewards.
5. Upgrade Dog Food
This one is the hardest as more dog nutrition research comes out regarding what's good for your pup to eat. Not all dog food is created equal and not all dogs can eat all dog food brands. Some dog food brands can be quite pricey. However, always do research and trial and error to see what your dog likes or doesn't like. Dog food labels found at the back of the bag with the list of ingredients will tell you a lot. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), this will help to understand and learn to read dog food labels properly. It's important to pay attention to what your pup is eating because unlike humans, dogs eat the same food pretty much every day! Occasionally, mix their meal up with some veggies, fruits, and homemade dog meals. They will love you for it.
6. Daily Supplements
Just like humans, dogs should also take their supplements daily or when needed. We highly recommend Wellnergy Pets which is a quality veterinarian-formulated pet product for your dog’s preventative, supportive, and holistic care needs. The company carries varies type of supplements from probiotic, skin and coat care, hip and joint care, and dental care products to help reduce and freshen your dog’s breath. Wellnergy Pets goal is to improve the lives of people and their pets by providing the best at-home pet care in their high-quality pet products.
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Remember to start small with implementing any new goals into you and your dog’s lifestyle. Not everyone will be consistent, however, it’s the change of perspective of how to use these goals that will make a big difference. Hopefully one or all of these habits you will decide to implement into your life. You don’t have to add all of them at once! Consistency is key, and once you start practicing a habit, it will become routine for both you and your dog. 60 days is the magic number!
Share below what kind of healthy habit you and your dog already do together?
