New year, new dog?

If you are like many in the USA, you have made some resolutions for the New Year. How are your resolutions holding up?

About this time, people seem to be realizing their resolutions may be a little too lofty and are starting to re-evaluate.

Was your resolution to loose weight/exercise more? Gyms see a spike in memberships at the beginning of a year, yet those people who buy the memberships aren't appearing in the buildings.

Here's a very inexpensive way to get fit.......walk your dog!

OK, I know it is freezing cold outside and the forecast says these few weeks are climatologically the coldest of the winter. Should you want to start this regimen on the slower side, you can visit Hill's Food's website PetFit. This is a great resource to learn how to safely get you and your pet fit and healthy for the new year.

Before you start any exercise with your dog, please visit your physician and your veterinarian first! I don't want to be blamed if you try to do the weekend warrior thing and cause major injuries.

Once you are ready to start exercising with your dog, make sure you have the right equipment:
1. A good collar that fits well - you don't want your dog to back out of the collar and be running loose.
2. A good leash, 6 feet is enough length. Retractable leashes are just as bad as letting your dog run loose in my opinion. You want your dog to be working mentally as well as physically, and a shorter leash helps with that. Remember heeling? This is a good time to start that. If your dog is a puller, Gentle Leaders and Haltis can help.

Start your new regimen out slowly, especially if you or your dog haven't had much activity lately. Once around the block is sufficient to start, but make sure to work up from there. 30 minutes daily would be a good target.

Your dog will love you for this!