Top 5 Mistakes Dog Owners Make in the New Year (and How to Avoid Them)
January brings fresh motivation. Gym memberships spike, routines reset, and goals are made with the best intentions – including for our dogs. But once the novelty wears off and life gets busy again, we often see the same patterns emerge.
At Trident Dog Training, we’ve helped hundreds of owners get back on track after the holidays. So here are the top 5 mistakes we see dog owners make in the New Year – and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
Overpromising on Walks and Exercise
The resolution: “I’m going to walk the dog every morning before work and do two long walks at the weekend.”
The reality by week three: “I’ll do a quick lap around the block…tomorrow.”
Lack of physical and mental stimulation is one of the biggest causes of unwanted behaviours like barking, chewing, and restlessness. Dogs need consistency, not intensity.
What to do instead:
- Create a realistic routine you can stick to
- Break walks into shorter, manageable sessions
- Include sniffing, training, or enrichment games during walks to keep it engaging
Restarting Training From Scratch
New year, new goals…and suddenly, you’re reteaching basic commands your dog already knows.
If your dog had a solid foundation before the holidays, you likely don’t need to start from the beginning. Regression happens when structure disappears – not because your dog “forgot” everything.
What to do instead:
- Re-establish routines and boundaries
- Refresh known behaviours in low-distraction settings
- Reinforce wins before adding new challenges
Letting Holiday Habits Linger
Over the festive period, dogs often enjoy more freedom – extra food, less structure, sleeping in odd places, and getting attention on demand. It’s easy to carry those habits into January unintentionally.
Without clear boundaries, dogs start testing limits. That’s when you see issues like jumping, pulling on walks, or ignoring commands resurface.
What to do instead:
- Gradually reintroduce structure: consistent mealtimes, rest periods, and rules
- Avoid jumping from “holiday mode” to “strict mode” overnight
- Use calm leadership and clear communication to reset expectations
Forgetting Mental Stimulation
A walk is important, but it’s not enough. When mental enrichment disappears from a dog’s daily routine, their energy often finds an outlet elsewhere (usually in ways you don’t want).
Dogs need to think, not just move. Without puzzle-solving, focus work, or scent games, they get bored, and bored dogs become destructive, noisy, or anxious.
What to do instead:
- Include short training sessions, place work, or problem-solving games
- Use food-dispensing toys or scatter feeding
- Practice calm behaviours like “settle” or “watch me” around distractions
Waiting Too Long to Ask for Help
We get it – the New Year starts strong, but life takes over. And before you know it, you’re back to dealing with the same behavioural issues from last year. Only now, they’re worse.
Most problems don’t fix themselves with time. Waiting allows bad habits to become engrained, and often harder to undo.
What to do instead:
- Don’t wait for a “rock bottom” moment
- If you’re seeing consistent problems, seek professional support early
Our board and train programmes are designed to make the new year feel truly new for both you and your dog
Ready for Real Change in 2026?
The New Year is a great time to set goals, but real progress comes from consistent action, clear expectations, and the right support.
At Trident Dog Training, we don’t believe in quick fixes or copy-and-paste methods. We build tailored training plans based on your dog’s breed, behaviour, and your lifestyle – helping you create long-term, real-world results.