Hi! This is Kim, the “wife” part of the husband, wife and dog team behind Steel + Spectre.
If this is your first visit, here's a quick rundown of who we are: We believe that life is best lived with a paw to hold, a faithful furry shadow, and the unwavering loyalty of our dogs. They are our best friends, our ready companions, and our (sometimes not so) gentle reminders that we can do hard things.
Inspired by our Belgian Malinois, our apparel collection was created to help you show off what you love most: the incredible life you share with your high-drive working, herding and sporting breeds.
Where does Eat, Prey, Bark come in?
One thing that you'll quickly notice is that we love a good play on words and some healthy self-reflection. Becoming dog owners was (and continues to be) a huge driver of personal growth. Eat, Prey, Bark is a nod to becoming a better person, and a better dog owner, by intentionally stepping out of your comfort zone and being open to new opportunities on your own journey.
Our goal with this blog is to inspire dog owners to live their best lives with their canine companions by providing a unique and honest perspective as we learn as we go.
With that, let's get to the main content: New Year's Resolutions!
5 New Years resolutions for you and your dog
You've got the basics covered – you're feeding your dog in the way that best fits their nutritional needs, your lifestyle and your budget; your pup is getting plenty of exercise, and they're up to date on their vaccinations and yearly health checks. How can you take it to the next level?
Here are five resolutions to jump-start your 2024:
1. Make your time count
A strong bond is the foundation of a great relationship with your pup. Here are some easy ways you can make even a few extra moments a day count:
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Take ten minutes each morning to sit quietly with your dog, cuddle or brush their fur
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Take a selfie together every day
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Find fun new toys to share
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Try new healthy dog- friendly recipes and snacks
2. Become an expert on what makes your dog tick
While our dogs are 100% family, they are are not humans, and taking the time to learn what's going on between those pointy or floppy ears can help you provide what they need to live their best life. Spend some time this year sharpening your knowledge on dog psychology and behavior.
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Podcasts: I'm going to trade my true crime titles for some from this list
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Books: There are extensive recommendation lists out there, but this one is at the top of my list
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Articles: If you are nerdy like me and enjoy science and psychology-based content, you'll enjoy the "Animals and Us" series
3. Be more adventurous
We get it: Sometimes you fall into a routine and frequent the same old places over and over again. This is your reminder to visit a new park, stop at a local dog-friendly attraction you've been meaning to visit, or take your pup to a dog-friendly restaurant. Feeling more adventurous? Your dog may also love a day trip or a longer vacation!
4. Stress less
You've heard it before: It all goes down the lead. Dogs know when we're stressed, and recent studies have shown correlation between your stress and your dog's. What does this mean? Managing your own stress will have a positive impact on both your lives.
5. Work your dog
"Give your dog a job." You see this advice a lot, but it's not always super clear what it means. For dogs, a job is anything that helps them feel like they have a purpose or a routine. Some dogs have "real" jobs such as police work, search and rescue, or tending livestock. You can give your companion dogs "jobs" that engage them mentally and physically and tap into what they were originally bred for.
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Enroll in a training or sports class: Even if your dog doesn't have any particular behavior issues, group obedience classes, as well as sports like agility, offer a wide variety of benefits such as mental challenge, exercise, and exposure to other dogs and people.
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Do a few minutes of basic obedience each day: Alternatively, you can conduct your own in home obedience or trick training with guidance from reputable trainers online.
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Have them help with household chores: Carrying groceries, putting their toys away, or our own personal favorite, cardboard recycling, can help your pup feel like they're contributing.
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Let your dog sniff: Yes, it might be annoying to have to stop every inch, but allowing your dog to check their “pee-mail” engages their 200 million scent receptors and gives them vital information about the world around them.
BARK BACK: Which of these Resolutions resonates with you? What else is on your list?
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