Can you believe we're already in November? I feel like I was just making plans for all the things I wanted to accomplish in 2026, and suddenly we're talking about Thanksgiving, Christmas and the end of the year!
And if you're like most people, there are probably a few things you had planned to accomplish this year that haven't quite happened yet.
Maybe you wanted to get your dog to stop jumping on everyone who walks through the door. Maybe you were finally going to work on loose-leash walking, or teach your dog to settle down in the evening instead of constantly demanding your attention.
But life happened. Work got busy, the kids had activities, summer came and went, and somewhere along the way, dog training moved further down the list.
So now you're thinking, I'll start working on that after the holidays.
But what if you didn't wait?
What could change in just 52 days?
I was recently listening to a podcast that talked about challenging yourself to do something consistently for 52 days. It really got me thinking about some of the goals I've set for myself, both personally and professionally, and how easy it can be to put them off because there never seems to be enough time.
And of course, I started thinking about dog training.
One of the biggest things I see with clients is that they have every intention of working with their dogs, but they struggle to find the time. They think they need 30 minutes or an hour to practice, so when they can't find that much time, they don't do anything at all.
But here's the thing. You don't need an hour a day to make progress with your dog. You need a few minutes and a plan you can actually stick with.
Think about what five minutes of intentional training every day could accomplish over the next seven weeks. That's more than four hours of focused practice, and even more importantly, it's 52 opportunities to help your dog learn something new.
Now imagine that instead of randomly practicing a few commands when you remember, you're working toward something that would genuinely make your life with your dog better.
That's where the real change happens.
The benefit isn't just what your dog learns
I think one of the biggest benefits of doing a challenge like this is that it helps us develop habits.
So often we think of dog training as something we do until the dog learns a particular behavior. We teach them to sit, stay, come when called or walk nicely on a leash, and then we check that skill off our list.
But living with a dog isn't really about checking off commands. It's about the things we practice and reinforce in everyday life.
If your goal is to have a dog who settles while you're eating dinner, practicing that routine for a few minutes every evening can become part of what you already do. If your dog gets overly excited when people come to the door, you can start building the skills they'll need long before your next visitor arrives.
And something else happens when we practice consistently. We start noticing the little improvements that are easy to miss when we're only looking for the finished result.
Maybe your dog didn't bark quite as long today. Maybe they checked in with you on a walk without being asked. Maybe they relaxed on their bed for two minutes when last week they couldn't stay there for 20 seconds.
Those little things matter. They're how bigger changes begin.
I also think there's a huge emotional benefit for the humans. When you've been frustrated with your dog's behavior for a long time, it's easy to feel like nothing is working. Having a plan, seeing progress and realizing that you're actually making a difference can completely change how you feel about your dog and your ability to help them.
We're starting with just five minutes
That's why I created 52 Days to Your Best Dog, starting November 10 and finishing December 31.
We're not going to try to fix every behavior problem or teach 52 new commands. In fact, I'm going to encourage you to choose ONE thing you really want to improve.
Not just something you want your dog to stop doing, but something you want them to do instead.
For example, instead of “I want my dog to stop jumping on people,” your goal might be “I want my dog to keep four feet on the floor when greeting someone.”
Then we'll figure out how to get there.
During our first week, we'll identify what we're working toward, think about why it's important to us, take note of where we're starting and create a plan for five minutes of practice each day.
And I want you to pay attention to how you're feeling at the beginning, too. Are you embarrassed by your dog's behavior? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Avoiding certain activities because of it?
Because I want you to be able to look back at the end and see not only what changed for your dog, but what changed for YOU.
Each week, I'll give you a new challenge to help you build on what you're doing. We'll have short weekly videos, activities and opportunities to share your progress in our private Facebook group. You'll also get access to our RESET program to help you start with routines and management that support better behavior.
And because I know how busy everyone is, this is designed to fit into your real life, not require you to rearrange your entire schedule around dog training.
Why finish the year strong instead of waiting for January?
There's something about January 1 that makes us feel like we get a fresh start. We set goals, make resolutions and decide that THIS is the year we're finally going to do all those things we've been putting off.
But I've been thinking about how much we could accomplish if we stopped waiting for a new year, a new month or even a new Monday.
What if we just started?
The holidays are going to be busy. They always are. And that's actually part of why I think this challenge can be so valuable.
If we can learn to incorporate a few minutes of training into our lives during one of the busiest times of the year, imagine how much easier it will be to continue when things settle down.
And no, I'm not promising that your dog will be perfectly trained by January 1. Some behaviors take much longer to change, and every dog is different.
But what if you ended the year feeling more confident? What if you understood your dog a little better? What if you had a routine that was actually working and had started making progress on something that's been frustrating you for months?
Wouldn't that be a pretty great way to start 2027?
I'm taking on my own 52-day challenge, and I'd love for you to join me in working toward a better year instead of waiting for the next one to begin.
52 Days to Your Best Dog starts November 10 and runs through December 31. It's just $26 to participate, including the weekly challenges, videos, our private Facebook community and access to RESET.
You don't need to have a perfectly behaved dog, a ton of free time or even a clear idea of where to start. That's what we're going to work on together.
All you need is a willingness to spend a few minutes each day making life a little better for you and your dog.
Imagine waking up on January 1 knowing that instead of putting it off for another year, you actually did something about it.
That's the kind of momentum I'd love for all of us to carry into 2027.
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🎓 Want expert guidance? Check out our programs!
✅ Dog School (https://www.sitnstaydogtraining.com/Dog-School) - The perfect structured program for puppies, newly adopted dogs, and those needing extra manners training!
✅ RESET Program (https://portal.sitnstaypetservices.com/reset-2026) - Build strong, positive routines at home!
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✅ The Collar Code
(https://www.sitnstaydogtraining.com/Dog-Training/The-Collar-Code) - See your dog’s training progress!
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