I resolve to . . .

Be a better healthcare provider for my dog:

• Schedule a vet visit for a problem I’ve noticed, but put off addressing.
• Purchase veterinary insurance, or put money each month into a savings account designated for canine healthcare.
• Cut out table scraps, change or reduce food, and add more exercise to get my dog down to healthy weight.
• Make and keep regular wellness exams for my dog.
• Brush her teeth regularly and provide dental chews or rinses to prevent dental disease.
• Step up flea, tick, and heartworm regimens to provide consistent, effective protection.
• Make my dog more comfortable with a good dog bed, regular brushing and nail-trimming, and ramps or steps if needed.

Keep my dog safely at home:

• Take my dog off the tie-out, and fence all or some of my yard for reliable outdoor containment.
• Commit to training and bathing that will allow my dog to sleep indoors at night.
• Microchip my dog, and keep a collar and ID tag on her at all times.
• Neuter or spay that wandering pup.

Spend more time playing and bonding with my dog:

• Take an obedience class together.
• Investigate and get involved in a canine sport or other activity.
• Teach her a new trick every month.
• Brush or massage her daily.

Train my dog to make her a more welcome companion:

• Enroll in a training course.
• Spend five minutes a day working on basic commands.
• Keep healthy training treats easily accessible throughout the house and outdoors to reward good behaviors and make impromptu training sessions easy.
• Socialize her to diverse people and places, and to feared objects to improve her confidence and social skills.
• Improve my training skills by learning more about how dogs learn.