This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it’s advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewNutrish #NutrishPets #CollectiveBias

Do you know the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.”? To me this proverb means that many individuals contribute to our kids’ upbringing, and to do it well, often means we can’t do it alone. For our children to thrive, it’s not just mom or dad, or even both, but an entire community working to lead, care for, nurture, train, and teach.

This may sound strange, but in addition to aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, coaches, pastors, friends, and other role models, I believe that PETS play a big role in helping us raise healthy children. Our dog Norman, a Wheaten Terrier mutt who we rescued 9 years ago, is our daily reminder to get outside. Rain or shine, fresh air and exercise is extremely important to our family’s well being. Seeing him creep up the stairs in the morning to greet us, dance around even if we get close to his leash at the entry way, or give one last sigh as he waits for us rise from our chair sure has a way of motivating us!

Today I’m sharing 5 tips for building an active outdoor lifestyle with kids and dogs, but really Norman should get all the credit. We can pull out all the excuses in the world to stay inside, glue ourselves to the couch, and catch up on our favorite television shows, but Norman just wouldn’t allow that!

In case your dog isn’t quite as enthusiastic about getting outside or you are new to dog ownership, here’s how we keep up our active way of life.

Building an Outdoor Lifestyle with Dogs and Kids

1. Make it a Routine!

Ever since we adopted Norman, we made it a routine to walk him both in the morning, and in the late afternoon. He’s come to expect both of these outings, and life just seems off balance if it doesn’t doesn’t happen or something gets in the way. Sometimes we walk for hours, while other times we only have 15 minutes to run him a few blocks to stretch his legs and do his business. In order to build a habit though, the amount of time isn’t as important as just getting out there. Since it’s just part of our everyday life our kids also come to expect this rhythm.

2. Set Goals.

Be intentional, and set a reasonable goal that will help motivate you to get outside more with your 4-legged friend. Here are some ideas to get started:

Number of minutes walked. Increase it each week!
Number of miles or steps walked. I just found out recently that my phone actually tracks this, and it’s a lot of fun to check!
Create a list of parks or playgrounds to visit, and check them off. In the past, we’ve made seasonal “bucketlists” to help motivate us.
Make a simple chart that allows you to check off your daily walks. Just getting to check a box and see progress can be motivating, and will help create a habit.

3. Walk instead of Drive.

It may take a little more coordination and planning ahead, but we are always on the look out for opportunities to get errands accomplished by foot instead of by car. At the beginning of the school year, I was either biking with Bergen to school or driving him. Then I’d come home, and Georgia and I would walk Norman. I soon realized that even though biking (not so much driving) was beneficial for us, it was creating a lot more work (and using up more time) for me. With school just a little over a mile away, we can get both chores accomplished by walking to school!

On our daily walks, we can also accomplish tasks such as visiting the post office, dropping off or picking up books at the library, stopping in at the grocery store for a few items, or simply grabbing a cup of coffee. Since most establishments don’t allow dogs inside, one of us waits with Norman, and we’ve learned to be quite efficient!

4. Dog-friendly AND Family-Friendly Destinations

Take some time to research places in your neighborhood, city, and region that are fun for both kids and dogs. Many dog parks have features close by that children love such as playgrounds, waterfronts, and trails. Just make sure to read the rules carefully. In Seattle, dogs are not allowed on most beaches and playgrounds, so we have to coordinate and plan accordingly. Keep a running list of parks, trails, and other destinations that the family wants to visit.

Some restaurants, cafes, and breweries also allow dogs (and children!), and we have several that are within walking distance that we love to visit. Especially as the weather starts improve, dogs are often welcome on patios and outdoor eating areas. And as I mentioned earlier, even if someone has to stay with the dog while the others run in, it’s worth the effort!

5. Nutrition

In order to keep up with all this wonderful activity, make sure you dog is eating a protein-rich diet full of high quality nutrient-dense ingredients. Norman recently got to try the Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Peak™ Wetlands Recipe™ with Chicken, Duck & Pheasant, and he absolutely loves it! There’s no poultry by-product meal, artificial flavors, colors or artificial preservatives, and the food is safely USA cooked with the world’s best ingredients. Norman has an important role in our family, and he deserves to be treated to top-notch food.

When it comes to his, Norman tends to be a picky eater, and he devoured this kibble, containing 30% high-quality protein and 0% grains, glutens or fillers, from the start. Wet food made with real chicken, combined with protein-rich duck, beef or lamb is also available from the Nutrish Peak line.

Feeding him at a regular time each day, in the morning before our walk and in the evening right before we eat dinner, helps us ensure that he’s getting the nourishment he needs. At the same time, it’s important to learn your dog’s preferences, and build a routine that works for both of you! When introducing a new food, make sure to incorporate it into your dog’s current food gradually over the course of 7-10 days. Carefully observe your dog, and adjust accordingly.

Check out the Nutrish PEAK website for more information and where to buy this wholesome and delicious product for your dog! I purchased Nutrish PEAK at PetSmart and used this coupon for additional savings! At our local PetSmart, I found the Nutrish Peak at dedicated display at the front of the store as well as in one of the regular dog food aisles.