Believe it or not, 2015 is upon us. Many people use the beginning of a new year as the starting point for making positive changes in their lives. So…as long as you’re making these resolutions, why not include your CBF (canine best friend) in some of them?

For example, if one of your resolutions is to get more exercise, you and your dog might enjoy an afternoon walking or playing together in the brisk air. Gnaw on this: people who regularly walk or exercise with their dogs not only enjoy increased fitness levels, they also experience less depression. It’s a great way to help your dog get in shape and burn off excess energy. There’s a saying that ‘a good dog is a tired dog’. All dogs (unless they are ill) require some form of daily exercise. The other plus? Walking with your dog is a great way to meet people. Make sure you’re dresssed for the weather (your dog too if he’s small, elderly, or short-haired) and don’t forget the poop bags. Happy trails!

Have you made a resolution to eat healthier? Congratulations! This is one of the most common resolutions people make, and it’s also one of the earliest to be broken. (It’s tough to eat healthy when there’s a big bag of potato chips in the cupboard calling your name.) However, if you’re really determined to stick with this one, perhaps it would also benefit your dog to eat healthier.

Lesson one for your dog is that he is no longer allowed junk food (human or canine). The obvious human junk foods include chips, pretzels, candy, etc. but there are also ‘doggie junk foods’ on the market. Your pup sure loves Snausages, but there is absolutely NO nutritional value whatsoever in them, and there are also many ingredients that your dog shouldn’t have, such as artificial colors and flavors, salt, and sugar. Give your dog a piece of a carrot or apple instead. They’re sweet and crunchy and are loaded with nutrients.

And while you’re at it, take the time to study the package for your dog’s food. If you’re feeding him a supermarket brand, or even one of the products made by Purina, chances are that what you’re giving him lacks nutrition and is far from desirable. (Please refer to my column of July 2014, ‘What’s REALLY In Your Dog’s Food?’.) Make a resolution to feed your dog better and stick with it. Your dog will love you for it and you will be rewarded with fewer vet visits and less cleanup in the backyard.)

How about a resolution to improve your mind? Maybe you’ve decided to take up a new hobby or read the classics. It’s been speculated that challenging your mind may aid in developing new brain cells and also may help to ward off Alzheimer’s disease. You can also challenge your dog’s mind as well. Several interactive puzzle toys of varying difficulty are available in which your dog has to figure out how to get to a treat or a toy. He’ll have a great time searching for the treasure and you’ll have fun watching him.

If you want to ‘step it up’ a notch, try enrolling him in a class for agility or flyball (great for Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, and other speedy, agile breeds). If your dog is a hunting sort, like a Beagle or Basset Hound, consider nosework training. This is a low-impact activity in which even older dogs can participate. Is your pup a digger, like a Dachshund? Then Earthdog is the ideal sport. (I wonder if the expression ‘hot diggity dog’ was coined by someone observing a Dachshund…but I digress.)

As you can see, there are many ways to maintain your resolutions and include your furry pal in the fun. Here’s to a safe and healthy 2015 for all!

Now if I could only find my list of resolutions…