Fido’s 2024 Resolutions

Happy New Year! Are you making resolutions for the coming year? If so, your canine pal will be right there with you, cheering you on as you work towards your goals. Fido is a super cute cheerleader. Many of our canine friends are no doubt bounding into 2024 with tails wagging, happy grins, and that charming doggy enthusiasm we all love so much. Of course, if you try to explain your resolutions to Fido, he’ll probably just tilt his head and give you that adorable confused expression we all love. Then again, your pooch may also have a few things on his own agenda. A local Canal Winchester, OH vet lists some of them in this article. 

Learn Some New Tricks

Many of our canine pals actually enjoy learning new things. Start with Fido’s basic petucation first. The five most important commands, which all dogs should know, are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. Down and Leave It are also recommended. 

Once Fido has these mastered, you can move on to advanced commands, or show him something fun. Classic tricks, like Shake, Beg, or Roll Over, will never stop being adorable, but there are also lots of fun lesser-known ones to pick from.

Training will definitely help him be a Very Good Boy. It’s also great for bonding and stimulation. It can also boost Fido’s confidence. If you pay attention, you may notice that your pet looks adorably proud of himself when he is getting praised for picking up something new. This is particularly helpful with timid dogs. Of course, you may also want to learn something new this year. As the saying goes, always the student! 

Catch That Squirrel

Fido may never achieve this goal, but he will have fun trying. Be sure to walk your pooch at least once a day. Even if your furry buddy has a yard to chase squirrels around in, he still needs the exercise and stimulation that those daily strolls provide. (Those things are good for you, too.) 

Be A Good Boy

One of the best things about our canine friends is their unwavering devotion. Fido will push himself to exhaustion, or even risk his life, for his human buddies. That dedication is truly extraordinary. Man’s Best Friend doesn’t ask for much in return, either: just love, care, and the occasional bit of bacon.

Make sure that your canine pal feels loved and safe, and reward him for behaving properly. Even something little, like petting Fido’s forehead or rubbing his head as you walk past, will  keep that cute tail going.

Score More Bacon

If we know one thing about Fido, it’s that he really, really, really loves food. (We can’t blame you, buddy: we love treats, too.)  

Snacks are wonderful for bonding, and they also make great training aids. (That old saying about the way to a man’s heart being through the stomach definitely applies for dogs.) 

Just stick with healthy options, such as plain, cooked meat, fish, or chicken, without the skin, bones, or fat. Be careful not to go overboard! As a rule of thumb, treats should only make up about 5 percent of your furry buddy’s daily caloric intake. Ask your Canal Winchester, OH veterinarian for more information on safe and unsafe treats.

Smell All The Roses

Fido’s sense of smell is much keener than ours is. Your pup’s cute nose contains about 300 million olfactory receptors. Ours, in comparison, only have about six million. Dogs also have neophilia, which is an obsession with new odors. (This of course won’t be much of a shock to anyone who has a canine buddy.) 

It’s important for dog owners to realize this, because it really sheds light on how much stimulation our furry friends get from smelling things. 

And, on a more profound note, your four-legged friend can be a great inspiration when it comes to making time for stopping and smelling the roses. (And the sidewalk. And the grass.) 

Carve time out for taking your pet to new places this year. There are plenty of great one-tank trips within easy driving distance.

Spend More Time With The Human

If Fido had one goal, this would be it. All your pooch really wants is to spend time with his favorite humans! 

Carve out some quality time for your cute pet every day. The time we have with dogs is truly precious, and often passes much too quickly. And as for you, be sure to spend quality time with your loved ones this year.

Get A New Favorite Toy

Toys serve several purposes for our canine pals. They keep your pup enriched and entertained, occupy him, soothe him, and give him a healthy way to burn off any excess doggy angst or energy he has. They’re also great for bonding, and can go a long way towards curbing undesired behavior, such as digging and chewing. 

Dogs all have their own tastes here, so offer your playful pet a variety of playthings. It’s also good to change Fido’s toys out regularly, so he can always have something fresh and new. (Note: pupscription boxes are great for this.) 

Car Rides! Lots Of Car Rides

Dogs can be great travel buddies! It’s so cute how happy Fido always is to accompany his humans out and about. There’s no reason you can’t take your pup to various places with you. Just be sure to put your pet’s safety first. 

Always travel with your pooch crated. Fido may like sticking his nose out the window, but this just isn’t safe for him. He could get bugs, pollen, dust, or pebbles in his eye, or  even get hit by a lit cigarette. Plus, he’ll be very vulnerable in case of an accident.

Another note on safety? Never leave your four-legged friend  in the car unattended, especially when it’s hot out. This can lead to tragic consequences! 

Get Great Marks From My Veterinarian

We know, most of our furry patients would rather go to the park or drive through than visit us. However, your canine companion will be much healthier—and therefore more comfortable—with proper veterinary care.

We recommend that all pets be spayed or neutered, microchipped, and kept up to date on all recommended vaccines and parasite control. It’s also important for Fido to get examined regularly. If your four-legged buddy is overdue, make an appointment with your Canal Winchester, OH veterinarian today.

Get The Cat To Give My Bed Back

Sorry, buddy: we can’t help you with this one! However, it is important for Fido to have a comfy bed. A thin pad won’t offer much support, or provide insulation against cold floors. And while dogs aren’t quite as tired as cats, Man’s Best Buddy is definitely fond of his beauty rest. Most pups sleep between 12 and 14 hours a day!

This is a good reminder for you as well. Getting enough sleep is crucial to your health and well-being! 

All of us here at Winchester Veterinary Clinic, your Canal Winchester, OH animal hospital, wish you and your families a wonderful new year. We are looking forward to providing your beloved pet with top notch veterinary care in 2024 and for many years to come.