Spring Into Action: A Seasonal Checklist for You and Your Dog

Thinking of spring yet? With a little more sun streaming through the windows each day, winter is losing its hold on my mind. I’m looking forward to the coming sunny days outdoors with my dogs. I know that the fleeting season of spring can get eaten up by seasonal chores, so while the unsettled winter weather is still here, why not make some plans so those beautiful brisk spring days don’t slip by uncelebrated?

Add this mix of fun and responsible tasks to your late-winter checklist, and when those glorious sunny days arrive, you and your dog can head happily out the door together without a last-minute scramble.

Schedule a health checkup for your canine companion

If it’s been more than a year since your dog’s last veterinary checkup, it’s a good idea to schedule one before diving paws-first into spring activities. Make sure those vaccinations or titers are up-to-date and discuss with your vet preventive measures for common springtime issues like fleas and ticks, heartworm, and allergies that can cause itching or respiratory problems.

Schedule a spring grooming session for your dog

Spring is shedding season – and mud season, too. It’s a good idea to get on your groomer’s calendar now so you can step out with a stylish pup instead of a dull-looking, shaggy sidekick. Check your cupboard to be sure you’re stocked up on dog shampoo and haven’t misplaced your dog’s brush, comb, and nail trimmers, especially if you bathed your dog less frequently over the winter due to the chilly weather. A well-groomed dog not only looks great but feels more comfortable in the warmer weather. 

Start planning your spring exercise and fun together with your dog

Have you and your dog been romping in the crisp weather all winter or cuddling quietly on the couch? If you haven’t been exercising together, start out now with some short-moderate winter/early spring walks before scheduling long summer hikes or trips to see friends and family. As outdoor patios and markets open, there will be more and more dog-friendly events planned at wineries, animal shelters, cafes, and farmers markets for dogs who enjoy being around people and other pets. If not, getting them out and about now, before adding in those challenges (or leaving them at home), will pay off later. 

Fuel the springtime sprint by reassessing your dog’s diet

Another year has passed for you and your dog! If your puppy is now a grown dog, or your adult dog is moving into senior years, or you’ve both put on a pound or two with holiday noshing, now’s a great time to assess what you are feeding your dog. There are so many healthy products on the pet store shelves and online, but it can be hard to separate the hype from the real deal. Check out The Whole Dog Journal’s guides to choosing dry foods, wet foods, and alternative diets. www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/whats-the-best-dry-dog-food/  Stay alert to pet food recalls, too. The FDA website is the best recall resource.

Keep your dog and yourself mentally sharp with interactive play

Late winter is the perfect time to pick up a few new toys for your pup, especially some puzzle toys or interactive feeders, to get your dog’s brain ticking and shake off that winter slump. If you’ve let daily training sessions lapse over the cold season, now’s the perfect time to revisit the cues your dog will need to be a good canine citizen when you are out and about together with other dog parents. Practice every day, in different locations, the cues you taught your dog for sit, stay, come, and an emergency recall.

Invest in lifelong canine skills with Dogs Behaving Better

Getting out into the human world to play is a lot more enjoyable for dogs if they’ve been taught the skills they need to make sense of everything in their world. If your pup barks, pulls, or lunges on the leash, gets startled by new things, or has habits like door-dashing, jumping, or barking when visitors arrive, consider a commitment to start progress now, before all the warm-weather socializing begins. Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, positive training provides both of you with valuable skills and also strengthens that important bond of trust. 

Learning or brushing up on basic cues or exploring advanced training techniques will make warm-weather outings a lot more enjoyable for both of you.

Let Dogs Behaving Better help you address your dog’s anxiety or chasing habits

If you have a dog who is fearful of new things, loud noises, strangers, or anything else that sends them cowering or bristling with nervousness, let’s talk about fearful behaviors before the season of fireworks, lawnmowers, visiting relatives, and summer vacations starts up. 

Alternatively, if your dog takes the head-on approach to life and wants to chase cars, bikes, cats, wildlife, or anything that moves, ask me about Un-Chase®, a program that has proven successful for dogs with unruly chase behavior.

Want to learn more? Drop me a message and let’s talk!