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Dear Zelda, I read that this week's column is about New Year's resolutions. I've always been cynical about these because I think that no one ever sticks to them. What's the big deal about making them anyway? My New Year's resolution is not to make a New Year's resolution. Is that bad? Resolution Free Dear Resolution Free, I've got good news and bad news. Bad News: you do realize that you just made a New Year's resolution...right? Good News: sounds like in the future you'll probably keep it! What is the big deal, you ask? There really isn't one. The tradition of making New Year's resolutions dates back to the early Babylonians, when the most popular resolution was apparently to return borrowed farm equipment (a wise policy in a time when the punishment for theft was losing a hand!). How we became resolution-obsessed to quit smoking, lose weight, eat fewer kibbles, or go to the gym more often beats the heck out of me. Sure, we may be a little too unrealistically goal-oriented around this time of year, but I think that an occasion to reflect on our lives and the things we'd like to change in them is a good thing. This is a time of year when we remind ourselves that we are not just dogs on somebody else's leash and that we can actually make decisions as individuals that positively impact the future course of our lives and the lives of others. Believe it or not, each year many have quit smoking, lost weight, cut back on the kibbles and even gone to the gym more often because of it. (fyi...I wasn't one of them...ugh). Without that, New Year's is just an occasion to drink, buy a new calendar, and embarrass ourselves singing a song we don't understand. Maybe the big risk in focusing on resolutions around the New Year is that we won't focus enough on setting and meeting these goals during the rest of the year. But even so, your line of reasoning is circular enough to make even the best of us tail-chasers jealous: people don't keep New Year's resolutions, and I want to make resolutions that I will keep, so I'll resolve not to make any resolutions at all! I think they call that "biting off your nose to spite your face." Wouldn't the better antidote to all those false promises be to make some reasonable resolutions and then KEEP THEM? I agree with you that it's better to make reasonable resolutions you can commit to rather than unrealistic goals that go out the window the next time you catch a whiff of the deep fryer. But giving up resolutions altogether because you don't think you will keep them? Now that's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Zelda Dear Zelda, My dog Jazzy just turned 2 and she's completely out of control, and my New Year's resolution is to do something about it. Any help and advice from you would be appreciated. Help me Zelda... Help, Help me Zelda... Doggone Out Of Control Dear Doggone Out Of Control, I can relate! My roommate, best pal, and "understudy," ZeeZee, has just passed the terr-i-bull twos. She apparently didn't get the memo that there is only ONE Diva per household, and I'm it! If your Jazzy is anything like our ZeeZee, the word "no" doesn't seem to be in her vocabulary. Jumping on people is the only way she can think to say "hello," and she's becoming so territorial that she's about to become her own state. I have four words for our little "Divas Gone Wild"...I DON'T THINK SO! Now, the advice I give to you is the advice I'm taking myself. Our dear ZeeZee is heading to a tough but tender "boot camp" for ten days of intensive training. Given the fact that she's not really a puppy anymore, we've decided to leave it to the professionals to whip our snapper into shape. If this is a viable option for you and Jazzy, it would probably be best to check out some licensed trainers in your area and ask for references as well as any certificates that show their facilities have passed inspection and they're accredited to work in their field. Be sure to talk directly with people whose pets have graduated from their programs. Also, once Jazzy is enrolled, keep in close contact with the trainer. When the boot camp is completed, your little "marine" will be ready to report for duty at home. If your budget doesn't bend for a trainer, however, there are also several good train-them-yourself books out there. You can "google" dog trainers and choose a book from a trainer who sounds simpatico for your situation. Another option is to check the obedience classes at Petco and PetSmart. They have a variety of reasonably priced obedience classes that can work for most schedules. Any way you go about it, the bottom line for the New Year is: All aboard. It's Time to Train! Zelda Share this column with a friend! |
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