With holiday festivities coming to a close and a new year beginning, this is a very common time of year to set new goals and resolve to accomplish them.
With cooler temperatures outdoors, no big events on the horizon, and not much else to do to fight the winter doldrums, this is a great time of year to focus on training your dog. Whether a new pet who just joined your family, an old pet who has a few naughty habits, or a pet who has been downright driving you crazy, making a new year’s resolution to train your dog can be one that leads to years of enjoying your pet more.
With the average life span of a dog being about 15 years, it is no doubt a wise investment of your time to prevent or alleviate behavior problems, whether you have a little puppy or a dog who is more advanced in years.
Those with puppies will likely want to focus on house training, socialization and chewing as well as basic obedience and manners. By taking steps now to prevent problems before they start, you are much more likely to enjoy your dog over the many years ahead.
If you have an older puppy or an adult dog with ongoing behavior problems, there is no better time than the present to work on alleviating the issues. Whether on your own or with a trainer, a little work with your dog now will pay off in years of enjoying your pet and not having to worry about repercussions that could be caused by certain behavioral issues.
There are likely many resources available right in your own community, ranging from individual in-home training, to group classes, socialization opportunities, and educational seminars. Whether you work with a trainer or on your own, training your dog is sure to lead to a well-behaved pet that is a nice addition to your family. If you need help finding these resources, you can ask your veterinarian or local rescue group for a referral.
