New Year Reset: 5 Training Habits Every Owner Should Start

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, there's no better time to establish positive training habits that will strengthen your bond with your pet and make daily life easier for both of you. Forget complicated resolutions—these five simple training habits are achievable, sustainable, and will transform your relationship with your furry friend.

Why New Year is Perfect for Training Reset

The new year brings fresh energy and motivation. Your pet doesn't care about calendars, but YOU do—and that psychological fresh start is powerful. Use this momentum to establish habits that will benefit you all year long.

Habit #1: Daily 5-Minute Training Sessions

Why It Works

Short, consistent sessions are far more effective than occasional long training marathons. Five minutes daily keeps skills sharp, prevents boredom, and fits into even the busiest schedules.

How to Implement

• Choose the same time each day (before breakfast works great)
• Focus on one command per session
• Keep it fun and end on a positive note
• Use high-value treats for motivation
• Track progress in a simple journal or phone app

What to Practice

Week 1: Sit and stay
Week 2: Come when called
Week 3: Leave it
Week 4: Down and settle

Pro Tips

• Set a phone alarm as a reminder
• Keep treats in a designated training pouch
• Involve family members to maintain consistency
• Celebrate small wins

Habit #2: Positive Reinforcement Over Punishment

The Mindset Shift

2026 is the year to completely eliminate punishment-based training. Modern science proves that positive reinforcement creates lasting behavioral change without damaging your relationship.

How to Implement

• Catch your pet doing something right and reward immediately
• Ignore unwanted behaviors (when safe to do so)
• Redirect to appropriate behaviors
• Use treats, praise, toys, and play as rewards
• Never use physical corrections or yelling

Common Scenarios

Jumping on guests:

• Old way: Push dog down, yell "no"
• New way: Ignore jumping, reward four paws on floor, teach "sit to greet"

Pulling on leash:

• Old way: Yank leash, use choke collar
• New way: Stop walking when they pull, reward loose leash walking

Counter surfing:

• Old way: Scold after the fact
• New way: Manage environment, teach "place" command, reward staying off counters

Habit #3: Consistency Across All Family Members

Why It Matters

Mixed messages confuse pets and slow training progress. When one person allows jumping but another doesn't, your pet can't learn the actual rule.

How to Implement

• Hold a family meeting to agree on rules
• Use the same command words (everyone says "down," not some saying "lie down")
• Post rules on the fridge as a reminder
• Ensure everyone uses the same rewards and timing
• Regular check-ins to maintain alignment

Rules to Agree On

• Furniture access (allowed or not?)
• Begging during meals (ignore or redirect?)
• Greeting behavior (sit required or jumping okay?)
• Sleeping arrangements (bed, crate, or dog bed?)
• Treat frequency and types

Habit #4: Mental Stimulation Daily

Why It's Essential

A mentally tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Mental exercise can tire a pet as much as physical exercise and prevents destructive behaviors born from boredom.

How to Implement

Puzzle Feeders and Snuffle Mats:

• Use for at least one meal daily
• Rotate different puzzle types weekly
• Increases meal time from 30 seconds to 10+ minutes
• Engages natural foraging instincts

Training Games:

• Hide and seek with treats
• "Find it" scent games
• New trick learning
• Name recognition for toys

Environmental Enrichment:

• Rotate toys weekly
• Change walking routes
• Safe socialization opportunities
• Sniff walks (let them explore smells)

Weekly Mental Stimulation Schedule

Monday: Puzzle feeder breakfast
Tuesday: Learn new trick
Wednesday: Snuffle mat dinner
Thursday: Hide and seek game
Friday: New walking route
Weekend: Socialization or adventure

Habit #5: Calm Greetings and Departures

Why It Matters

Excited hellos and dramatic goodbyes increase separation anxiety and create overstimulation. Calm transitions teach your pet that comings and goings are no big deal.

How to Implement

When Leaving:

• No long, emotional goodbyes
• Ignore your pet for 5-10 minutes before leaving
• Leave calmly without fanfare
• Provide a puzzle toy or long-lasting chew
• Keep the same routine every time

When Returning:

• Ignore excited jumping and barking
• Wait until your pet is calm before acknowledging them
• Greet calmly with gentle petting, not high-pitched excitement
• Establish a "settle" routine upon arrival

The 30-Second Rule

Wait 30 seconds after walking in before greeting your pet. This simple pause dramatically reduces excitement levels and teaches patience.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Essential Training Tools

• Treat pouch: Keeps rewards accessible during training
• Clicker: Marks exact moment of correct behavior
• High-value treats: Small, soft, smelly for quick consumption
• Puzzle toys: For mental stimulation
• Training journal: Track progress and patterns

Recommended Training Gear

Invest in quality training tools that make habit-building easier. A good treat pouch with a clicker keeps you prepared for spontaneous training moments throughout the day.

Tracking Your Progress

Weekly Check-In Questions

• Did I train 5 minutes daily at least 5 days this week?
• Did I use only positive reinforcement?
• Were all family members consistent?
• Did my pet get daily mental stimulation?
• Did I practice calm greetings and departures?

Monthly Milestones

Month 1: Habits established, seeing initial progress
Month 2: Behaviors becoming more reliable
Month 3: Habits feel automatic, significant improvement visible
Month 6: Transformed relationship, well-trained pet

Common Challenges and Solutions

"I forget to train daily"

Solution: Link training to an existing habit (before your morning coffee, right after dinner). Set phone reminders.

"My family won't stay consistent"

Solution: Make it a game. Create a chart where everyone marks when they follow the rules. Reward the family with a fun activity when you hit milestones.

"I don't see progress"

Solution: Video your pet weekly. Progress is often invisible day-to-day but obvious when comparing videos from weeks apart.

"My pet doesn't seem motivated"

Solution: Experiment with different rewards. Some dogs prefer play over treats. Find what YOUR pet loves most.

The Compound Effect

These five habits might seem simple, but their cumulative impact is extraordinary. By December 2026, you'll have:

• Completed over 300 training sessions
• Reinforced thousands of positive behaviors
• Provided 365 days of mental stimulation
• Established calm, predictable routines
• Built an unshakeable bond with your pet

Your 30-Day Challenge

Commit to all five habits for just 30 days. Mark each day on a calendar. Research shows it takes about a month to form a habit—after that, it becomes automatic.

Week 1: Focus on establishing the routine
Week 2: Refine your technique
Week 3: Overcome obstacles
Week 4: Celebrate success and commit long-term

Final Thoughts

Training isn't about perfection—it's about progress. Some days you'll nail all five habits. Other days you might only manage one or two. That's okay! The goal is consistency over time, not perfection every single day.

This New Year, give yourself and your pet the gift of better communication, stronger bonds, and a more harmonious home. These five habits are your roadmap to the best year yet with your furry best friend.

Ready to start your training journey? Equip yourself with the right tools! Browse our collection of training pouches, clickers, puzzle toys, and treats designed to make positive reinforcement training easy and effective.