A new year has a way of making us pause and reflect. We set goals with the best intentions. Lose weight. Get organized. Be more present with the people we love. But what about our dogs? They share our homes, our routines, and our lives every single day. The choices we make as trainers and handlers shape not just their behavior, but the relationship we build with them. With that in mind, we came up with four simple but powerful dog training resolutions that can transform the way you and your dog work together. I Will Listen to My Dog Dogs are always communicating. Through body language, energy, and behavior, they tell us when they are confused, stressed, confident, or ready to learn. Listening means slowing down, observing, and keeping an open mind. When you truly hear what your dog is telling you, training becomes clearer, calmer, and far more effective. I Will React Fairly We are human. We get frustrated. We have bad days. But emotional reactions rarely help dogs learn. Fair reactions build trust and understanding. When something isn’t working, take a breath, reset, and respond with intention. Calm, consistent guidance strengthens your bond and helps your dog feel safe enough to succeed. I Will Adjust No two dogs learn the same way. What worked perfectly for one dog may completely miss the mark with another. Effective training requires flexibility. Be willing to adjust your approach, try new strategies, and meet your dog where they are. Progress happens when the method fits the dog, not the other way around. I Will Not Give Up Training is a process, not a straight line. There will be setbacks, plateaus, and moments of doubt. Stay patient. Stay kind. Stay consistent. When you commit to seeing things through, the payoff is a dog who understands, trusts, and wants to work with you. That effort always comes back tenfold. As you move through your New Year’s resolutions, remember this: your dog will give you honest feedback every step of the way. Pay attention to it. Learn from it. Let it guide you. When you show up with patience, fairness, and commitment, your dog will meet you there. They always do. Hi, I’m Michele Forto. I’m the Director of Online Training and Content for Dog Works Radio, and I write about dogs and dog training for the Dog Works Training Company blog. I share my life with a team of sled dogs, and I’m passionate about helping people build strong, meaningful relationships with their canine companions.

New Year’s Resolutions in Dog Training for 2026

A new year has a way of making us pause and reflect. We set goals with the best intentions. Lose weight. Get organized. Be more present with the people we love.

But what about our dogs?

They share our homes, our routines, and our lives every single day. The choices we make as trainers and handlers shape not just their behavior, but the relationship we build with them. With that in mind, we came up with four simple but powerful dog training resolutions that can transform the way you and your dog work together.

I Will Listen to My Dog

Dogs are always communicating. Through body language, energy, and behavior, they tell us when they are confused, stressed, confident, or ready to learn. Listening means slowing down, observing, and keeping an open mind. When you truly hear what your dog is telling you, training becomes clearer, calmer, and far more effective.

I Will React Fairly

We are human. We get frustrated. We have bad days. But emotional reactions rarely help dogs learn. Fair reactions build trust and understanding. When something isn’t working, take a breath, reset, and respond with intention. Calm, consistent guidance strengthens your bond and helps your dog feel safe enough to succeed.

I Will Adjust

No two dogs learn the same way. What worked perfectly for one dog may completely miss the mark with another. Effective training requires flexibility. Be willing to adjust your approach, try new strategies, and meet your dog where they are. Progress happens when the method fits the dog, not the other way around.

I Will Not Give Up

Training is a process, not a straight line. There will be setbacks, plateaus, and moments of doubt. Stay patient. Stay kind. Stay consistent. When you commit to seeing things through, the payoff is a dog who understands, trusts, and wants to work with you. That effort always comes back tenfold.

As you move through your New Year’s resolutions, remember this: your dog will give you honest feedback every step of the way. Pay attention to it. Learn from it. Let it guide you. When you show up with patience, fairness, and commitment, your dog will meet you there.

They always do.

Hi, I’m Michele Forto. I’m the Director of Online Training and Content for Dog Works Radio, and I write about dogs and dog training for the Dog Works Training Company blog. I share my life with a team of sled dogs, and I’m passionate about helping people build strong, meaningful relationships with their canine companions.

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Picture of Dr. Robert Forto

Dr. Robert Forto

is Alaska Dog Works’ training director.

Picture of Michele Forto

Michele Forto

is the lead trainer for Alaska Dog Works.

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