Transforming Your Dog: New Year Resolutions for Curbing Unwanted Behaviors

Starting a new year often means setting goals for ourselves, but it’s also a great time to focus on breaking old habits that your dog has and improving their behavior. Whether your dog is young and still learning or older and needs a refresher, changing behavior for positive results can make life more enjoyable for both of you. Common challenges like barking, jumping, running out the front door, or refusal to come when called can be frustrating. This guide offers practical resolutions and tips to help you and your dog start the year on the right paw.

Dog calmly sitting by the front door, ready for training

1. Stop Excessive Barking with Consistent Training

Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate, but excessive barking can become a problem. To reduce barking, first identify the triggers: is it strangers, other dogs, or boredom?

• Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they stay quiet in situations that usually cause barking.

• Teach a “quiet” command: When your dog barks, calmly say “quiet” and wait for them to stop. Once silent, say "yes" to mark the good behavior and give a treat.

• Ensure sufficient physical activity and mental engagement: A well-exercised dog tends to bark less.

• Refrain from yelling or punishing, as these actions may heighten anxiety and exacerbate barking. Instead, use distraction techniques or remove your dog from the situation, a method known as redirection.

Changing behavior for positive results takes patience. Consistency is key to breaking old habits that your dog has around barking.

2. Manage Jumping on People with Clear Boundaries

Jumping up is often a sign of excitement or seeking attention. To curb this:

• Ignore jumping: Turn away and avoid eye contact until your dog has all four paws on the ground.

• Reward calm greetings: When your dog stays down, give praise or treats.

• Teach an alternative behavior: For example, ask your dog to sit when greeting people.

• Practice regularly with family and visitors to reinforce the habit.

  
  

This approach helps your dog learn that calm behavior gets attention, which supports breaking old habits that your dog has around jumping.

3. Prevent Running Out the Front Door with Safety Measures

Running out the front door is dangerous and stressful. To reduce this risk:

• Use baby gates or barriers to block access to the door.

• Teach a “wait” or “stay” command at the door. Practice with the door open but don’t let your dog bolt.

• Leash your dog before opening the door to maintain control.

• Reward your dog for staying calm and waiting patiently.

  
  

Changing behavior for positive results here means creating a safe environment and reinforcing calmness near exits.

Dog sitting patiently by a closed door, showing good door manners

4. Improve Recall to Overcome Refusal to Come

A dog that refuses to come when called can be dangerous, especially outdoors. To improve recall:

• Start training in a low-distraction environment like inside your home.

• Use a consistent recall word or whistle.

• Reward your dog generously with treats, praise, or play when they come.

• Gradually increase distractions and distance.

• Avoid calling your dog for negative experiences like baths or punishment.

  
  

Breaking old habits that your dog has around refusal to come requires patience and positive experiences linked to recall.

5. Use Daily Training Sessions to Reinforce Good Behavior

Short, frequent training sessions help reinforce new habits and break old ones. Aim for 5-10 minutes, 1-2 times a day.

• Use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors.

• Keep sessions fun and end on a positive note.

• Practice commands like sit, stay, come, and quiet regularly.

• Be persistent and consistent, even if progress seems slow.

  
  

Changing behavior for positive results is a gradual process. Daily practice builds strong habits and improves communication with your dog.

Dog owner training dog in backyard with treats

6. Address Other Common Unwanted Behaviors

• Chewing: Provide plenty of chew toys and redirect your dog when they start chewing inappropriate items.

• Digging: Create a designated digging area or provide more exercise to reduce boredom.

• Leash pulling: Stop walking when your dog pulls and resume only when the leash is slack.

  
  

Each unwanted behavior requires specific strategies, but the foundation is always consistent training and positive reinforcement.

Starting the new year with clear goals to improve your dog’s behavior can transform your relationship. Focus on breaking old habits that your dog has by using positive, consistent training methods.

Consider hiring a professional dog training coach to organize and guide for changing your dogs unwanted behaviors. Remember, changing behavior for positive results takes time but is rewarding for both you and your dog. Celebrate small victories and keep training fun. Your dog will thank you with better manners and a happier, calmer attitude.