New Year’s Resolutions for DINK Dog Moms

Confession: I love New Year’s resolutions. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know you don’t need a new year to set new goals, and that time is just a construct; but, there is something about a “new year” that always feels like a clean slate. It’s a great time to reflect on your life and consciously set goals to guide yourself in the direction you want to go. New Year’s resolutions for dog moms are especially great to help you live your best dog mom life!

If you’ve struggled with New Year’s resolutions in the past, don’t worry. I have you covered! The key to good New Year’s resolutions is to keep them relevant and ensure they are achievable. This means they need to be something you actually want to do, but also something you actually can do. If you are setting a New Year’s resolution for your dog, the same rules apply. Choose something relevant for you, your dog, and the life you share, but also make sure it’s something you AND your dog can accomplish. Don’t set a goal to compete in agility if you and your dog are couch potatoes, ya know?

I have 9 ideas for New Year’s resolutions for dog moms that I am excited to share, but definitely don’t feel like you need to add all 9 to your list! Choose the ones that resonate with you and are important to your life with your dog. Plus, committing to just 2 or 3 goals is much more manageable than 10 or 15.

1. Stop apologizing for your life choices and your dog’s behavior.

One of the best New Year’s resolutions for dog moms is to just stop apologizing for things that aren’t mistakes.

Most of us apologize way too much. It’s almost a default response, like “lol.” Not only does constant apologizing make your apologies meaningless, but they start to condition you and others to believe you are always doing something wrong. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want kids” immediately implies that there is something incorrect or wrong about not wanting kids. But, is that true? Of course not. The same is true for your dog’s behavior. Some dogs just don’t like other people or other dogs or whatever, and there is nothing wrong with that.

One of the best New Year’s resolutions for dog moms is to just stop apologizing for things that aren’t mistakes. This takes practice. Like, a lot of practice. And it starts with just recognizing all the times you say “I’m sorry” when you don’t really mean it. Before you apologize, ask yourself: did you do something wrong, or did you cause pain to someone else? If not, try to reframe the thought.

• Instead of “Sorry I’m late” try “Thank you for waiting/being patient.”
• Rather than “Sorry, my dog doesn’t like other dogs/new people” try “Thank you, but my dog doesn’t like other dogs/new people.”
• Instead of “Sorry I just think [belief]” try, “I think [belief].”
• Instead of “I’m sorry, I don’t agree” try, “I appreciate your perspective, but I disagree.”

There are a million ways to be polite and kind without using the words “I’m sorry.”

Of course, it is important to apologize when you are actually in the wrong, like you’ve hurt someone’s feelings or you made a real mistake. That said, saving your apologies for those moments make them meaningful rather than just an automated response.

2. Invest in yourself.

This was my New Year’s resolution for 2021, and it’s probably the most transformational goal I ever set for myself. For a long time, I felt like I had to do a lot of things on my own, and I was reluctant to spend money/time on myself. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed buying myself nice things, but when it came to truly investing in myself, I never felt like it was “worth it.”

Let me give you an example. For years I struggled with creating an exercise routine for myself. I wanted to establish an exercise routine, because exercise significantly helps with my mental health (and physical health, of course). But as a Type A personality, I struggled hard with an “all or nothing” mindset, which meant I easily gave up if things didn’t go to plan. I also spent way too much time researching and trying to create a “perfect” workout plan for myself. And even then, I always wondered if I was overdoing it, or if I wasn’t doing enough.

Last year, I invested in a virtual personal trainer. Nika has been AMAZING to work with. She is so knowledgeable and supportive. Most importantly, though, she gives me a monthly plan to follow that I can trust, and supports me to keep going when I experience a setback. This means all that time and energy I spent researching can now be spent on other things…like actually doing the workouts!

Other ways I invested in myself included starting therapy for my anxiety, switching jobs to something that better aligned with my interests and skills, and doing a food allergy test (from a lab, not from a box) to see why I felt so bloated all the time (surprise– I am super fucking gluten/wheat intolerant).

But, not all of the investments I made in myself were big life changes. Some of them were little things. I got a color consult done from Created Colorful just to help me feel my best. I spent some money on blog/social media courses so I could have a stronger understanding of how to make this pet project (no pun intended 😉) more impactful. And, when none of my clothes fit me anymore because I had gained weight over the pandemic, I simply donated them all and bought new clothes that fit and made me feel good.

Investing in yourself is a great New Year’s resolution for dog moms (and anyone, really), but it will look different for each person. Where have you been reluctant to spend money or time on yourself? What can you prioritize to help yourself achieve your goals?

3. Work with a professional dog trainer.

On the note of investing in yourself, I highly recommend taking the plunge and working with a professional dog trainer at least once, even if it is for a 6 week basic training course. In fact, if your dog doesn’t have any behavioral problems, then a basic PetsMart or Petco training class can be a benefit.

Why? Going through a training class with your dog is a great way to bond, and simple skills like loose leash walking or waiting at doors can make life with a dog much easier. Unfortunately, the dog training industry is totally unregulated, which means anyone can call themselves a dog trainer (literally anyone). As such, it is crucial to be wary of anyone promising quick fixes or guaranteed results, as well as anyone who uses force, fear, or “alpha theory” for training.

Finally, if your dog does have a behavioral problem, now is the time to begin researching trainers who can help. One-on-one training with a certified professional is expensive, but so worth it. This New Year’s resolution can be life changing, and it can make life for you and your dog significantly happier and more fulfilling.

4. Do something your dog loves every day.

Dogs are social, sentient, and emotional creatures. They depend on us for everything: food, water, entertainment, exercise, and even access to potty. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the daily hustle and bustle and forget to do much else besides feed your dog and let them use the bathroom. In fact, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the daily hustle and bustle and forget to do much else for yourself, too!

A great New Year’s resolution for dog moms that can really improve your dog’s quality of life AND your relationship with them is to do something your dog loves every single day. Maybe that is just 10 minutes of cuddling on the couch, taking a walk and giving them time and space to sniff, going to the park, or playing a game like fetch or tug.

Just like people, dogs are individuals, so there is no one thing you should do every day. But making a conscious effort to do something just for your dog’s enjoyment is a wonderful way to deepen your relationship with your dog.

5. Commit to a (realistic) exercise routine, and include your dog!

This is probably the biggest cliché, but committing to a realistic and healthy exercise routine is an excellent New Year’s resolution for dog moms! Exercise plays a crucial role in our physical and mental health. Similarly, consistent exercise is important for our dogs, too. Even if you have an enormous backyard, you need to ensure your dog gets adequate exercise; after all, your dog doesn’t “work out” in the backyard.

It’s important to keep this goal realistic. Don’t expect to go from not working out to working out 5 days per week overnight. Instead, set small goals. Take your dog for a walk every day. Commit to taking at least one hike per month. Or, try a Couch25k program to establish a running habit.

Whatever you choose, keep it simple and let your dog be your motivation.

6. Make a list of skills you want your dog to learn and create a plan to make it happen.

What would make life with your dog easier? Maybe it’s helping your dog get more comfortable with grooming so nail trims aren’t so stressful. Or, maybe you just want to have fun and teach your dog silly tricks. Whatever these goals may be, take a moment to write them all down. Then, make a plan to achieve each one. 

It helps if you whittle the list down to a few objectives, or at least prioritize your list. Focusing on a few skills at a time is much less overwhelming for both you and your dog. Also, make sure the skills you want to teach are achievable for your dog. If your dog does not like other dogs, do not make “go to the dog park” one of your goals!

Like with so many things in life, we can easily settle into a routine with our dogs. There is nothing wrong with routine. In fact, a good routine can really help your dog learn how to navigate their life with you. BUT, it is also important to grow. By pushing yourself and your dog (gently), you can really take your relationship to the next level.

7. Plan a vacation– with or without your dog.

One of the best parts about living childfree is the flexible time (and income!) to go on vacation. Depending on your budget, this could be an extravagant trip abroad or a simple stay-cation in a boutique hotel within driving distance. Honestly, it doesn’t matter that much what you do, as long as you do it!

Whether or not you choose to bring your dog depends on a lot of factors. These include where you are going, how you are getting there, what you will do when you arrive, and what your dog does and does not like. I love planning dog friendly hiking/camping trips, because I know my dogs will have a great time. But, if we are traveling somewhere that the dogs can’t enjoy, it’s not really fair to bring them along just to leave them in a hotel room. Moreover, if your dog doesn’t travel well– gets nervous in new places, suffers from car sickness, etc.– then it might not be worth the stress for you AND your dog.

8. Spend more time in nature with your dog.

Spending more time in nature has been linked to improved attention, lowered stress levels, improved mood, and better health in general. This is true for people, but it is also true for dogs. 

Walking through a park rather than on a sidewalk next to a bustling street is significantly less stressful for most dogs. There is a lot more physical and mental space to sniff, shake, explore, and engage in other natural dog behaviors that promote relaxation.

To help your dog get the most out of this foray into nature, get them a comfortable back clipping harness and at least a 6 foot leash so they have more freedom to move around and explore at their own pace. If possible, use a long line! Sniffing has been scientifically shown to lower a dog’s pulse! In fact, dogs on long leash (5m) sniffed 280% more than dogs on a short leash (1.5m). Some parks don’t allow for leashes longer than 6 feet, so be sure to check on all the rules and regulations before you go.

The best part of this New Years resolution for dog moms is that you don’t need to commit to something huge. Instead, set a realistic goal to incorporate more nature time into your lifestyle. This could be as simple as committing to taking one walk per week in a nearby park, or planning a day hike each month. 

9. Choose one topic you want to know more about, and educate yourself.

I am a huge advocate for lifelong learning. It’s never too late to learn about a new topic or teach yourself a new skill. Moreover, information changes over time. It’s healthy and intelligent to continue to educate yourself and make yourself open to accepting new information– and even changing your mind!

So, pick just one thing you’d like to know more about. While it might be tempting to pick 3 or 5 or even 10 topics, this can get overwhelming quickly. That means you are less likely to stick with it. Now, this topic could be anything: economics or dog training, nutrition or women’s rights, climate change or dog sports.

Once you’ve chosen a topic, consider what type of information you enjoy consuming. Do you like reading books? Listening to audiobooks? Perhaps you prefer the lively discussions on a podcast, or watching a documentary. There is no one right way to learn. Choosing materials that you are most engaged with and can easily integrate into your daily life will help keep you on track. Bonus points if you mix and match these different types of materials throughout the year!

New Year’s Resolutions for Dog Moms

There are so many great New Year’s resolutions for dog moms that can help you and your dog live your best life together. If you’d like to hear more about this topic, be sure to listen to my chat with Karoline on her podcast Dog Mom Mentality.

Have a goal that didn’t make it on this list? I’d love to hear what you are focusing on in 2022! Drop your New Year’s resolution in the comments below, or tag us on social media @thedinkdogmom! Be sure to save this post to Pinterest, too, so you can refer back to it later.

Happy New Year!