Calvin T. Dog is about 18 months-old. Time flies. And here we are in 2025. We last reflected upon the year gone by, now it’s time to look forward. The proverbial resolutions of the New year we shall avoid, but how about cultivating some good habits that will benefit both you and your pet?
Walk the Dog, and Yourself
Walking your dog is one of the easiest and healthiest activities in which you and your dog (or cat) should engage. This simple exercise strengthens the hearts, reduces risk of stroke and heart disease, along with moderating weight. In addition, walking promotes bone density and improves balance and coordination.
Fresh air and the stimulation provided by walking are almost as important as the physical gains. Walking is essential for dogs to expend energy and physically stay fit, but dogs need more than just physical exercise: think their brain. One of the larger portions of a dog’s brain processes scent. Every sniff leads to a massive input of data, where dogs sense the world around them. This stimulation is essential for their well-being and consequently expend a large amount of energy! Want to tire out your dog or cat? Work their nose.
The fresh air and simple movement, along with sensing the world around us has been demonstrated to improve our immune systems, and by proxy, those of your dog. Mood improves and stress is reduced, decreasing cortisol levels. Decamping from indoors leads to socialization, too, for both you and the dog. Meet your neighbors. Sniff butts. Walk more.
Put Down Your Phone
Be present. Walking outside is refreshing, and essential, but the effects are blunted when one is staring down constantly at their phone and tuning out the world around them. Such ignorance of the surrounding stimulation may increase stress and place one in danger. Pedestrian traffic fatalities have increased in the past years, possibly due to humans paying more attention to Instagram than the sidewalk.
Paying attention to the dog helps bonding and increases the satisfaction of the walk. In addition doom-scrolling prevents one from monitoring if their dog picks up and eats a stray hamburger off the sidewalk. True story. “Forest bathing,” the act of walking through the woods, has been documented to be good for people’s well-being; it is ruined by giving attention to technology. Disconnect from the chaos of tech while walking the dog. Do what the dog does: enjoy the sights, sounds, and breeze. Meet people.
Engage in Positive
Reinforcement
In general we all like praise. Tell me someone at work who doesn’t appreciate a reward or kind words for hard work done. Your pets are the same, they thrive on attention. While home or out on a stroll, give praise for that which is worthy of a reward, such as sitting when reaching a curb, or not jumping when ing another person.
Positive reinforcement is essential to well-being. This is how dogs know that they are doing the right thing. By providing positive , you strengthen the bond between you and the dog. This, too lowers blood pressure and releases calming endorphins. to routinely reward good behavior with love, and sometimes a food treat, but mostly love.
Stay Fit Together
Whereas the true reward to a pet is attention, watch those calories together. Obesity in pets (and humans) has been on the rise for quite some time. It has been shown that weight loss programs when coupled with other people / ability, works better than a solo adventure. When feeding the dog or cat, and when considering treats, that calories in needs to equal calories expended via normal activities and exercise. Any excess in energy equates to undesired weight gained, unless bodybuilding!
It’s appropriate to partner with your pet. You are responsible for their well-being and weight, couple it with yourself. Take long walks, eat a few less snacks and be fit together. When someone is concerned about their pet, they can translate it to being taking better care of themselves.
While not resolutions per se, the above will lead to a happier 2025.
Dr. Teich is the medical director for District Veterinary Hospitals in Navy Yard, Eastern Market and Brookland. Visit www.districtvet.com for more information.
