In this episode, Linda and Caroline welcome in the New Year by discussing ways to improve the chances of success when setting New Year Resolutions for ourselves and for our dogs. They share with you some of the traps we can fall into when trying to achieve our goals - from being too vague, trying to move too quickly, and using negative language. Follow the tips in this episode - and the next later this month - to avoid being one of the millions of people who fail by Quitter's Day, a mere 19 days into the New Year.

What's inside this episode?
00:19 Just how successful are we likely to be in forming new habits and sticking to New Year Resolutions?
01:51 Some interesting dog stats on training.
04:03 Why the way you phrase your resolutions is important.
05:34 The power of language when it comes to working with dogs.
08:32 Are your resolutions too vague?
10:38 Rewarding yourself, as you would your dog!
13:20 Breaking down resolutions into achievable steps.
15:20 Small steps for successful dog training.
17:34 How long does it take for a habit to become automatic?
20:31 Taking time in your training.

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Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She is a Full (assessed) Member of the APDT and INTODogs – as well as a Registered Training Instructor (ABTC). Caroline is also a Certified Real Dog Yoga Practitioner and an Applied Canine Zoopharmacognosist. Caroline writes for Edition Dog Magazine, as well as a number of trusted pet brands. She also speaks around the country – presenting workshops and webinars with a focus on living more mindfully alongside our canine companions.
Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist in the Health and Care Professions Council. She trained at Harvard and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, and has offered cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy for over 40 years in the NHS and privately. She has also taught various aspects of psychology at the University of Cambridge and the Open University.