1. This is traditionally the time of year when people make resolutions to changes aspects of themselves, usually involving one or more behaviors. Some of these intended changes develop and some do not, and this may be something to pass judgement on, since much may be learned in the process, regardless of the outcome.

While a New Year is an appropriate time to consider new beginnings, the Buddhist maxim "Begin where you are" suggests that we need not time ourselves to a particular segment of time, but may engender our growth and development on an ongoing basis. That stated, there are some things that may make the continued manifestation and integration of the behavioral changes we call resolutions more likely. More on this later . . .

2. If we want a resolution for achieving better relationships with our dogs, I'd suggest this one: Reinforce behaviors you like . . . ignore the behaviors you don't like. To expand on this, and since we humans can jump around in time, consider some advice from Dr. Karen Overall, one of this nation's top veterinary behaviorists, who directs the Behavior Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Overall sees animals on a sometimes last resort basis, and certainly can advise on the wisdom of optimizing your relationship with your dog long before the severe problem behaviors that might bring you to her can develop.

Here is her prescription for having a great relationship with our dogs:

• Practice deferential behaviors.
• Teach the dog that you are not a threat.
• Reward good behaviors, even when they are spontaneous.

Don't worry about minor details - none of us are perfect. Always let the dog know he can have treats, love or toys if he sits quietly first. Never do something just because you can. Talk to your dog. Or use his or her name. Signal clearly. Be reliable and trustworthy.

3. So let's say we have a thought, an intention, a resolution to create a behavioral change in ourselves or in our relationship with our dogs - what will contribute to the success of this endeavor? Certainly it will involve time, but how much time? Enough for the desired behavior to become habit. Both humans and dogs are creatures of habit, and find those habits reinforcing. It is certainly believed that for a new behavior to become habitual in humans it takes a minimum of 21 consecutive days. Learning psychologists have postulated that dogs must be taught a cue for 5 consecutive days to move that information from short-term memory to medium-term memory. Even then the dog is though to be able to remember the information for only 24hours, it is thought to take a minimum of 30 consecutive days of responding to the cue to move the information into long-term memory.

4. So to connect these dots, manifesting resolution takes time, at least 21 consecutive days for humans, at least 35 consecutive days for dogs to move into habitual behavior, and practice. And maybe that is why some resolutions succeed and others fail - (and maybe that's why dog training classes usually meet weekly.)