Hello 2019!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends (Including those of the four legged variety!).
I don’t really make a lot of New Year’s Resolutions as such, but I do like to start the New Year with a new goal in mind – something to focus on and something to kick start my motivation going into the start of a New Year, which can sometimes be a difficult time for some of us.
This year I am taking part in REDJanuary. It is a community initiative in conjunction with MIND which encourages you to support your mental health by doing something active every day in January. This can be a run, a walk, a swim, bike ride or literally anything you enjoy – just move! For those of us with dogs, we have a head start as walking is probably part of our daily routine – but it can still be a struggle sometimes motivating ourselves to go out – especially when its cold and wet! If you want to follow my RED January progress, take a look ay my instagram account. Here are some other ideas for you enjoy with your dog during 2019:
Spend a day at the Beach
Some of us live the furthest point from a beach in the UK, but for most of us there is a coast within a few hours drive. Even at this time of year, although the beach might not be your first thought when planning a day out, it can actually be a breath of fresh air – literally! Get up early, wrap up warm, and go and enjoy some of the amazing sights our coastlines have to offer. 
Check which beaches are dog friendly before you travel – many will be dog friendly at this time of year, some even have dog friendly areas all year round. Your dog will love it!
Book a Dog Friendly Holiday
If you’ve got the winter blues and are counting the days until Spring, why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking a dog friendly holiday. Having a dog is no longer a reason not to be able to go on holiday in this country.
There are no end of companies who now offer dog friendly cottages along the coast, in the mountains or set deep in the Countryside. 
Cottage owners usually cater for all your doggy needs, often providing beds, bowls, leads and toys (but check as each host will be different).
Most accommodation will include safely fenced gardens, access to dog walks from your front door and dog friendly pubs and restaurants nearby. 
Personally we have stayed in several of the cottages managed by East Ruston Cottages in Norfolk and have enjoyed some fantastic holidays in amazing cottages.
If for any reason you can’t take your dog away with you, consider leaving them with a professional pet boarding service such as Pawprints UK, who will care for your dog in their own home.
Take up a new dog sport!
Unless your dog is less than a year old, elderly or has injuries, the chances are they would love to have a go at agility. If you’ve never tried it before, I would definitely recommend you look into classes in your area.
Apart from keeping your dog (and you!) fit and active, it is a fun and social activity that you will both enjoy.
Locally in Bedfordshire we are spoilt for great agility teachers, and whether you prefer a 1:1 or a small group class, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the local instructors that I can personally recommend:
The Canine Hub (Oakley), Beancroft Agility (Marston Moretaine), Dogzaloud (Broom), Sharnbrook Agility
It’s something I’ve done with Bobby for 6 years, and although I don’t compete, I thoroughly enjoy our weekly lesson and it really helps build the bond I have with him.
Do some Brain Games and Trick Training
If you’re not quite ready for outdoor activities yet, why not introduce your dog to some Brain Games?
A simple trick can usually be taught in a few short sessions. 5 to 10 mins per session is all that is needed to start shaping a behaviour, using food as a reward. There are lots of resources out there – search on Google or YouTube for some great videos, or invest in some books.
A couple of my favourites are Brain Games by Claire Arrowsmith or Dog Tricks by Mary Ray.
Practice a “leave it” or a “find it” command – your dog will enjoy interacting with you and you will be amazed how they will tire as much as if they’d been on a long walk.
Remember training sessions need to be kept short because of the intensity of them!
Your dog will be more likely to work for high reward treats such as cheese, or meat – just remember to reduce their usual dinner accordingly!
Treat your dog to a Grooming Session
It’s that time of year when we could all do with a bit of pampering – so why not spoil your dog!
If like me your dog is long overdue a haircut, now’s the time to organise your diary and book in an appointment!
Your dog may need a thorough wash after all those muddy winter walks, or perhaps just a nail trim which is easier done by an expert.
We are spoilt with groomers here in Bedfordshire – but here are just a few that I can recommend:
Hollywood Dogs (Biggleswade), One Eight Dog Grooming (Bedford), Melanie’s Dog Grooming (Ampthill)
I hope I’ve given you some ideas to consider this year – please feel free to comment, share or get in touch with me
If you would like to book a pet photo experience for you and your best friend, please get in touch with me at:
info@katrinawilsonphotography.co.uk