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2) It’s OK to lose it. What human AND pet do you know that doesn’t need to lose a couple of those holiday pounds? Walk to the dog park, walk in the park and walk just a little longer along the beach with your pup. If you or your dog is arthritic look into water therapy. Moderate exercise not only helps to control weight but it just feels good (will help you achieve resolution 1.

3) Be Pawsitive. Animals have so much to teach us about being better humans and being better to each other. Positive reinforcement —it’s the only way you can successfully train your cat or dog. And, the lesson we learn here is that positive reinforcement is a great way to approach human relationships as well. What we sometimes forget is that our dogs are not mind readers and they don’t speak our language. Sometimes, it is the same case with people. If you find yourself yelling at your dog, using a prong collar or otherwise finding you and your dog’s communication at an impasse, sign up for a group class. They’re fun, educational and really useful.

4) Work Your Karma. Let’s start a movement in response to, well…movements. Carry 4 poop bags on every walk. One for expected, one for the unexpected, one for the person who wasn’t expecting and one for the Karma Pick Up. KPU will leave your spirit and your street in a more pure state than when you began.

5) More Kneading. It’s ok to knead and need. Cats do it unabashedly. So do dogs. You can too—go ahead! Take a cue from our four-leggeds who have no qualms about letting down their guard for a belly rub. Purr, knead and show your belly to those you love.

6) Bury it. Like an old rawhide or bone, put those stinking bygones in the ground once and for all. Grudges are so 2011.

7) Dream more. Be like you dog or cat and try sleeping a little more. More sleep=more time to dream big.

Happy new year from all of us at the San Francisco SPCA!

We have a couple of options, but without question, forcing him to go outside will backfire. If your guy isn’t enthusiastic about going outside in inclimate weather, you may want to throw in the towel and go for indoor potty training, or at least offer a better option than the living room carpet.

You can find puppy pads at any pet store. They are basically flat diapers. There are also some fake grass options. If that doesn’t sound like a good plan, you’ll need to dedicate some time to train your pup’s opinion of a downpour. You’ll want to go with positive reinforcement training. So stock up on yummy treats and pick your cue word.

For example, let’s say “bidness” is your cue word. Every time you say it your dog gets a treat.

Then say it ever time you go outside—Let’s do bidness!—treat and happiness. Ideally you would start this training when the sun is shining but we can still get a lot of good work done now.

Remember, don’t force. The more cruddy experiences your dog has (being forced, pulled or unwillingly carried), the more stubborn the behavior will become. Also, if there’s any way to make a little shelter outside for your dog, that’d help—even a little tarp or tent will help on those downpour days.