Have you made any New Year’s resolutions for your pets?
I asked friends online a simple question about resolutions. “Tell us about what you’ve resolved for each pet … and why!” They answered happily.
Kevin Whittenberg Sar (Michigan) To spend more time working my dogs, as much as I work clients’ dogs.
Jill Gibbs (Montana) To get Amos to stop grabbing cones in the agility ring!
Alisha Ardiana (California) I had a lot of medical issues this year, and I lost track of our Papillon’s diet. She now needs to lose weight! I am officially stating that we will achieve her optimum weight in 2024.
Trish Ryan (South Carolina) We had adventures planned—hiking, walks on the beach, swimming, camping, and just being together—before we lost our bestest gal, FC. Life lesson: Make time each day to be with your dogs. No matter what you do, they’ll love doing it with you.
Photo by Trish Ryan
Annie Zeck (Washington) My three miniature dachshunds will each learn basic performance obedience, off and on lead, and perhaps try musical freestyle again. (I miss it and you all, Ruff Revue!) At least one should make the cut!
Nichola Walker (United Kingdom) Only because she genuinely enjoys training and I enjoy the challenge of switching to mostly using toys as reinforcers, we’re working on trick titles for Arwen the cat. That’s probably about it, though.
Deb Hunt (Washington) Stop rescuing …Too old, too tired, lots of work, and costly.
Joony Eaglesham (United Kingdom) I want paws in the house again.
Shelly Keel (Idaho) I don’t usually do resolutions because I can’t manage my own, let alone one for another being, but I endeavor to help my girl to more effectively (comfortably) manage her allergy symptoms, ensure that she gets lots of fun exercise and engagement activities, spend quality time doing the things she is telling me she wants to do, and work on resolving or at least lessening the anxiety she has developed when going to the vet.
Photo by Shelly Keel
Jessica Theisen de Gonzalez (New York) To follow up as much as possible with my dog’s diagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction. It was assessed at her annual last February and we immediately implemented some changes—but this year we need diagnostics.
Emma Bolderson (United Kingdom) Is this for the owners? For example: Make time to provide more enrichment. Work on not barking at the door, and so on.
Jill Gibbs “My New Year’s resolution is to catch that wascally wabbit in the backyard!”—Amos
Photo by Jill Gibbs
Marilyn Marks (Connecticut) Well, I signed up for exercise class for me and a few classes for my dogs starting in January. Does that count? I tend not to make resolutions any more, but I can’t say I don’t feel a sense of renewal of energy at this time of year.
Em E Wolf (Vermont) “Longer walks, more sniffing: 2024.”
Rebecca King (Ohio) “Work out more so I can jump and play more.” “Work on my cute expressions to extort more food.” “Steal more brine shrimp from the Betta.” “Steal all the food from the Gourami.”
Photo by Rebecca King
Erin Saywell (Indiana) Jot resolves to get more flyball titles, now that he’s convinced that it’s FUN! And to play as much ‘fribby’ as possible. Ribbon? To play every minute of every day. MadMax? To get a Parkour title, and to continue being the bestest bad boy.
Telani Lasoleille (Tennessee) Work on cooperative care for nail trims and vet visits.
Amy Shojai (Texas) Trinity-kitten: “Catch the red dot!” Karma-Kat: “Wrestle Trinity into submission!” Shadow-pup: “Steal ALL the cat toys!”
Photo by Amy Shojai
September B. Morn (Washington) Daisy: “Why would I need to make a New Year’s resolution when I’m already PERFECT?” Soulie: “Take more classes, learn to do EVERYTHING!”
David Bozak (New York) Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed—our young rescue border collie had too many homes before he got to us; he needs to learn how to work through stuff that now can over-excite him.
Karen Lawe (United Kingdom) That I will continue to do the very best I can to help my pup feel happier about life outside our home. That I will do my utmost to be sure I look out for my two 12-year-old dogs so they are never suffering in pain or too confused to be truly happy. (All three dogs are in great condition right now, albeit a little dirty.)
Ali Blakney (Washington) Oakley: Work toward his first Cooperative Care title, work towards trick titling, and build confidence to reduce noise sensitivity and, in turn, barking because *oofda* my sensitive brain on garbage day and with all the delivery trucks out right now. Winston and Buddy [cats] both need to lose weight after a rough year. We’ll get there through playing more, which will improve all of our mental well-being. Also resolving to work on their cooperative care because nail trims aren’t pretty right now.
Sandie Hanlon (Massachusetts) More hikes, twice-a-week fitness/strength training are my top two.
Kathryn Horn (California) I cannot make a resolution for Knap. That would be selfish. But I can make one for me that is about him: I will continue to work very hard to stay in the moment with him … always!
Mandy Collins (United Kingdom) I’m going to start following my own advice!
Sandee Strobel Szabo (Virginia) Mr. Wilson’s New Year’s resolution should be to not run out the door. Yes, he comes home, but he scares Mom and Dad. Is that what you mean? Or our NY resolutions for us with our dogs? If that, then … I need to practice more what I used to teach when I trained dogs, which includes trimming nails, cleaning ears, and training a better recall. If you’re looking for resolutions that our dogs should be making, Thaddeus says, “I need to figure out why my brain triggers me with a small seizure that causes me to bark and charge at Mom when I see her suddenly.” Ursula’s would be to to stop trying to hump Mr. Wilson just to (try to) become the dominant dog. Since she is the only girl, she wants to be the leader of the pack. Her second one would be to stop licking the floor, the couch, everything. Her third resolution would be to continue to be a cat by chasing lights and perching on the armrests of the furniture.
Chellie Pixie Saunders (United Kingdom) Haha, how about resolving to give extra cuddles every day? Our furry friends deserve year-round pampering!
You haven’t made New Year’s resolutions for your pets yet? It’s never too late! I hope you’ve found the inspiration you might need in the comments you’ve read here.
Happy New Year!
