Could National Walk Your Dog Month inspire the best resolution to walk your dog more ?

Despite the best intentions, around 80% of us abandon our New Year’s resolutions by the second Friday in January—infamously dubbed Quitters’ Day.

Eat better! Lose weight! Be mindful. Be kind! Walk the dog more!
Humans are brilliant at setting goals and even better at giving them up.

Dogs, on the other paw, don’t do New Year’s resolutions at all.

They rely on us to make decisions for them. From what they eat, whether they wear a collar or harness, when they walk, and where they sleep. Yet somehow, they seem to get so many things right.

So, what if, this year, we turned the tables? And we let our dogs inspire our New Year’s resolutions?

Drink More Water (Your Dog Would Insist)

If dogs could talk, every single “Fido” would tell us to hydrate. Properly. Freshly. Regularly.
Our bodies are around 70% water—just like a dog’s—and staying hydrated supports metabolism, energy, and overall health. 

See the World Differently

Why is that muddy leaf so fascinating?
Dogs remind us to pause, observe, and experience the world from a different perspective. Maybe we don’t need to understand why something is interesting, its just that curiosity itself has value.

Play More. Stress Less

A good game of tug isn’t just fun, it’s therapy.
Play builds confidence, strengthens bonds, works through frustration, and delivers a mutual serotonin boost. It’s a stress buster for both ends of the lead.

Exercise the Brain, Not Just the Body

Stress reduction isn’t only about physical movement.
Puzzle games, scent work, and tapping into your dog’s incredible sense of smell activate their grey matter and boost mental wellbeing. Think of it as learning a new language, for both of you.

Learn When to Rest

Dogs are masters of rest and recovery.
They don’t feel guilty about switching off and neither should we. Rest is not laziness; it’s essential for managing stress and anxiety.

Smile More (There’s Science Behind It)

Dog owners smile more than non-dog owners and it shows. Studies suggest dog owners often live longer, with research confirming that stroking a dog can lower blood pressure and increase oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.”

Be Present

One of the greatest lessons dogs teach us is how to live in the moment.
They have memory—even episodic memory—but they don’t dwell on yesterday or worry about tomorrow. Mindfulness, without an app.

Dogs vs. Digital Overload

Our dogs can ground us, balance us, and act as a powerful antidote to screen fatigue—if we take the time to truly tune in to our best friends.

Walk This Way

January is Walk Your Dog Month  highlighting the health benefits for dogs and their humans. Daily walks build routine, responsibility, training opportunities, and plenty of joy.

Yet with 54% of owners using a dog walker at least three times a week, many of us are missing out on what is essentially free canine therapy.

So, this New Year, maybe the best resolutions don’t come from a wellness guru or fitness app, but from the wagging tail by the door.

Let’s take a moment to paws for thought.