As the year winds down, it’s easy to start thinking about everything you should work on with your dog next year.Better recall.
Loose-lead walking.
Calm guests.
No barking. No jumping. No chaos.

I am doing this too- what do i want to achieve with my older dogs what do I want to achieve with my pup. so many ideas and things to do
But before you make a long list of things your dog needs to “fix” in 2026, let’s pause for a moment.Because pressure — on you or your dog — rarely leads to good training. You Don’t Need a Perfect Training Plan Dogs don’t need 12-month plans.
They need consistency, clarity, and a human who isn’t constantly stressed about doing it “right”.Life happens. Schedules change. Dogs have good weeks and off weeks. A rigid plan often ends up abandoned — not because you failed, but because it didn’t fit real life.Planning can be gentle and flexible. Start With the Feeling You Want

Instead of focusing first on behaviours, ask:How do I want life with my dog to feel in 2026?
Maybe you want:Walks that feel calmer and less tenseA dog who can relax more easily at homeTraining to feel fun instead of stressfulMore trust and understanding between youWhen you start with the feeling, the training priorities become clearer — and far less overwhelming.
Choose Themes, Not Everything at Once Rather than trying to work on all the things, choose one or two themes for the year.
For example:Calm and confidenceBetter communicationConsistency over intensityMaking daily life easierThese themes guide your training choices without turning them into demands.
Slow Progress Is Still Progress and better than no progressTraining doesn’t need to be fast to be effective.Small improvements — repeated often — are what create lasting change:One calmer walkOne successful recallOne moment where your dog made a better choiceThat all counts.
Dogs don’t measure success by timelines. They measure it by how safe, clear, and supported they feel.
A Gentle Way Forward If 2026 planning feels heavy, let it be simple.Choose ease over pressure.
Choose understanding over perfection.
Choose progress that fits your real life.Your dog doesn’t need you to do more.
They need you present, patient, and kind.And that’s more than enough to build something really good together.

If you would like some help with a simple fun training plan message me