There’s something about a fresh calendar that makes us want to fix everything at once. We hit the gym, clear out the pantry, and set big goals. But if you’re a pet parent, there’s one resolution that usually offers a way better return on investment than a gym membership: finally getting your dog’s behavior under control.
Savanna Tolley from The Dog Wizard puts it perfectly: “January is that sweet spot. The holiday chaos has finally settled, people are craving routine again, and dogs absolutely thrive in that kind of focused energy.”
If you spent December apologizing to guests for your dog’s jumping or wrestling for control during walks, here is why right now is the best time to flip the script.
1. The Post-Holiday “Reset”
Let’s be real. The holidays are a mess for dogs. Between the doorbell ringing every five minutes, weird travel schedules, and aunts sneaking them scraps under the table, most pups are completely overstimulated by January 1st.
“We see a lot of families in January who are just exhausted,” Savanna says. “They’ve realized the holidays highlighted some serious gaps in training.” Instead of looking at a counter-surfing incident as a failure, look at it as a diagnostic tool. Now you know exactly what you need to work on.
2. Capitalizing on the “Routine” Mindset
Dogs are creatures of habit. When your life is unpredictable, their behavior usually follows suit. Since January is naturally a time for rebuilding schedules and decluttering your life, it’s the easiest time to bake a 15-minute training session into your daily rhythm. Whether you’re working on leash manners or a “place” command, the consistency of a new January schedule makes those habits stick much faster.
3. Curing the “Holiday Hangover”
It’s not just us who feel sluggish after the new year. Dogs often deal with a dip in activity and an increase in anxiety after the holiday excitement fades. This pent-up energy usually manifests as:
- Random barking at the window
- Increased reactivity on walks
- General rowdiness in the house
Training is the ultimate “brain drain.” As Savanna reminds us, “A tired brain is a happy brain.” Giving your dog a mental job to do is often more exhausting (and rewarding) for them than a three-mile run.
Got a Christmas Puppy? Don’t Wait.
If Santa brought a four-legged friend this year, the clock is officially ticking. Puppies are essentially sponges in January, but those cute habits (like play-biting or “singing” in the crate) can turn into nightmare behaviors by June if they aren’t shaped now. Puppies learn incredibly fast, and early training is vital.
The New Year puppy checklist:
- Socialization: It’s about more than meeting people. It’s about experiencing new sounds and surfaces calmly.
- The “boring” stuff: Crate training, leash skills, and potty schedules are way easier to teach when you’re already home setting your own new routines. It’s a great way to prevent future problem behaviors.
Waiting too long can make these things harder later. The New Year gives you the perfect window to start shaping great habits from day one. “Puppy brains are little sponges,” Savanna says. “What you teach now becomes their normal for life.”
Visualize Next December
Think about how much better next year’s holidays would be if:
- Your dog stayed on their bed while you opened gifts.
- You could host a party without worrying about a “door bolter.”
- Walks through the neighborhood felt like a breeze, even with festive distractions.
Train Now, Pay Later
One of the biggest hurdles after the holidays is the “January wallet.” Between travel costs and gift buying, budgets are tight. To make things easier, The Dog Wizard has introduced flexible financing. You can actually start the transformation now and spread the cost out, so you don’t have to choose between your budget and a well-behaved dog. Savanna shares, “Behavior struggles don’t mean your dog is bad. They just mean your dog needs guidance. And that’s exactly what training is.”
Final Thoughts
Training isn’t just about “obedience” or “sitting on command.” It’s about building a relationship where your dog actually understands what you want from them. There’s no better way to start 2026 than with a clearer connection to your best friend.
FAQs
1. Can you train a dog that struggled during the holidays?
Absolutely. Many dogs act out due to overstimulation. January is the best time to reset and build new structures.
2. How long does it take to see results?
Many families see improvements within days or weeks with consistency and expert guidance.
