New Year Resolutions for You and Your Dog, Part 1

Another year has come and gone.  It’s hard to believe that 2010 went by so quickly.  Did you accomplish all that you wanted to during the past year?  If not, make a resolution that you will start afresh and plan out your 2011 activities and goals, not only for yourself but also for your dog(s).  

Some folks are apprehensive about making resolutions because they failed to keep them in the past.  Did you make resolutions for 2011 but already found it hard to keep them. This is because the resolutions were wishful thoughts instead of concrete visions accompanied by the necessary action steps to stay on task and accomplish the goals. 

When one can create, experience and believe in a vision or goal; it becomes reality rather than wishful thinking.  To make it a reality, one needs to apply the action steps as if they were bricks placed on top of each other until a solid foundation is built.  The wall will not be solid much less take the proper form if the bricks are heaped on top of each other.  Instead, they must be properly laid with the correct mortar ingredients.  And, from time to time, measurements must be taken to be sure the walls are being built at the correct angles much like taking inventory as to whether or not one is still on track with their action steps.

The first step though is to focus on your passions and decide what you want to change or improve in your life.  There are the common lofty resolutions such as losing weight, improving family relationships, earning more money, saving more money, etc.  However, these are not detailed enough by themselves.  If one wants to lose weight, one needs to decide how much weight to lose, by what time period, and how they will accomplish it.  For example, instead of resolving to simply lose weight, a person wanting to lose 50 lbs. overall might state their goal as, “My goal is to lose 50 lbs. within 52 weeks by doing A, B, and C.  Another option would be to break down the goal of losing 50 lbs and determine what needs to be done to lose 25 lbs within six months.  One would also set up checks and balances to ensure the action steps are being completed and to determine if different actions steps need to be put in place dependent upon the current situation.  The same process can be done with developing resolutions and training goals for your pets.  

Professional dog trainers are adept at setting new training goals and opportunities for their students and their dogs.  Listen to what two renowned professional dog trainers have in store for their students this year:  Robin MacFarlane, Owner and Training Director for That’s My Dog! Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa states, “For my students I intend to keep offering new classes. We are offering a scent class now and will be adding a problem solving class and more outings. The more I can offer varying opportunities, the more I can address the various interests that people have. This creates a win/win solution to getting people to do more with their dogs and truly discover how amazing the relationship can become.”  And, Scott Williams, Owner and Training Director of Beyond the Leash in Boxford, Massachusetts plans the following, “As for my students, I plan on offering more exciting activities that keep them coming back and having fun. I would like to offer more entertaining activities for dogs and their owners. I will offer Nosework, Flyball and a new class that I am presently developing. My goal for my present and future students is to help them laugh at themselves a little more and enjoy the spirit of the dog”.  Sounds like their students will have lots of fun in the new year.  To locate similar fun classes in the state of Michigan, look for group dog training classes in Ann Arbor and Walled Lake.  Part 2 of this article series will address the goals you have for your personal dog.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.