Are you a new dog mom? Need some time for yourself? To make sure you don't burn out early, here are some self-care tips for the new dog mom.
For many people, having a new puppy can be a rewarding experience, and in fact, scientific studies have shown that pet owners experience lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart disease than non-pet owners.
But as dog moms, it's hard to balance everyday life because we're used to putting our furry friends first. Sometimes that means we put ourselves last. You’re not alone!
So if you’re struggling to fit in some self-care, you probably aren’t alone.
Here are a few of our favorite self-care tips for the dog mom.
Take Advantage of Your Dog’s Rest Time
Even the most energetic of dogs need to rest!
Take advantage of your dog’s natural nap or laze-around times. You can use these to crunch out a few assignments or work deadlines when needed.
However, it could be even more beneficial to dedicate some of this time to take a coffee or tea break. Perhaps even read a chapter of your favorite book or two!
By syncing a relaxing activity for yourself with your dog’s rest time, you can more consistently give yourself the breaks you need.
Besides, who doesn’t love getting some work done or simply resting next to a sleepy furry friend?
Identify a Godparent for your Dog
We hate to admit it, but sometimes we just need a trip or break completely away from our furry friend. Don’t feel guilty-this is natural!
We need babysitters for date night, and even a friend’s night out to live life away from a significant other.
The same can be said for your furry friend. Identify a trusted friend to be a “godparent” for your dog. This should be someone you trust to pet-sit for you when needed.
There are also pet boarding services and individuals who pet-sit professionally.
However, it can be more affordable, easier, and more comfortable for you if you have a friend or family member to rely on instead. Bonus points if they also have a dog that gets along with yours!
Finally, when you’re craving a self-care day, call up your friend and ask if they’d be willing to pet-sit your dog in the near future.
Volunteer to do the same for them on another day and take the newfound date as a time to zone out in solidarity.
Crate Training is Your Friend
While I know some horrible dog owners keep their dogs caged all day, there is a right way to use proper crate or even playpen training.
Proper crate training can teach your dog that a crate is a safe location to retreat to if they are ever surprised or alarmed.
When it comes to self-care, sometimes we need a quick self time-out. We need this time to take a hot bath or read a story without interruptions. Unfortunately, this can be hard to achieve with a new puppy.
If your puppy is crate trained, you can lead them to their crate whenever you need a self-care timeout.
Placing a soft dog bed inside your dog’s crate can further entice them to use the space as a haven for breaks.
Soon enough, your dog will learn that their crate means break time, and will naturally rest when you lead them to it, with or without the door crate closed.
Delicious, Nutritious Meal with Your Dog
There aren’t many things that beat an amazing, delicious meal! But sometimes our favorite furry friends get in the way of our mealtime.
Thankfully, there are some nutritious meals that you can enjoy with your dog.
Some of our favorites include spinach omelets, scrambled eggs, popcorns, and more. Eggs in particular can be wonderful for our dogs and help them keep their coats shiny and healthy.
Take a break from fighting with your dog over your food leftovers and dedicate a weekend day or morning to cook alongside them!
Pair it with a cup of tea or a good book and you’re set for a loving, relaxing day with your furry friend.
Read a few of our full recipes over at 5 Meals to Share with Your Dog.
Dog Treat Baking
Alright, so maybe sharing your food with your dog isn’t your thing. But what about baking or cooking overall?
Sometimes spending a day baking delicious treats can be a wonderful way to eat yummy meals and disconnect from the internet, too.
You can make yourself some baked treats while creating at-home dog treats, too! Try our recipe for DIY oatmeal, banana, and beet dog treats today.
Need something simpler while you cook yourself a more complicated meal?
Our no-bake homemade pill pocket meatballs for dogs are wonderful for dogs that require medication and make amazing treats otherwise, too.
Combine Your Ideal Day with Your Dog’s
We’ve all been there- some dog friends seem to be messy, muddy fiends!
And let’s be real, washing up our dogs after a long trek is an easy way to ruin a day that was meant to be a vacation.
Instead of taking your dog to a muddy river or sandy beach, consider taking them on a self-care date with you to a local trail. Take some time to research a local trail that is only a mile or two long at most.
While this may not be the messy heaven your dog is seeking, it can be a wonderful compromise for your enjoyment as well as your dog’s!
With some training and by regularly ingraining smaller park or trail walks with your dog, you can start to exercise self-care while also bringing your dog on smaller adventures together.
Don’t Forget About Self-Care, Dog Mom!
Dog moms aren’t necessarily less tired than Moms. It’s tiring to take care of our furry friends, despite how much we love them.
Don’t forget that you need some care as a new dog mom is absolutely vital.
Take time today for a self-care timeout during your dog’s nap time, or contact a trusted friend to see when they can take your dog for a day or so.
Ready to learn more about adventuring with your dog? Read more on our blog about training your new puppy with these easy 10 commands.
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