The "January Wobble": Why Your Dog Might Have Forgotten the Basics

The calendar has flipped. The last of the mince pies are gone, the decorations are packed away in the loft, and you are ready to embrace the calm structure of the New Year.

You put on your coat, grab the leash, and ask your dog for a simple "sit" by the door.

They look at you. They look at the door. They look back at you with an expression of complete and utter confusion, as if you have just asked them to solve a quadratic equation in ancient Greek.

Eventually, they might slowly lower their hindquarters, or they might just barge past you. On the walk, their recall is rusty, and their loose-leash walking seems to have vanished along with the festive spirit.If this sounds familiar, don't panic. Your dog hasn't suddenly broken. You are simply experiencing a very common phenomenon amongst pet owners: 

The January Wobble.

What is the "January Wobble"?The January Wobble is a temporary regression in your dog’s training and general behaviour that occurs right after the holiday season. It can manifest as ignoring known commands, increased excitability, demand barking, or "forgetting" house rules like staying off the couch.It feels frustrating because you know they know this stuff. You spent months training them! But before you blame the dog for being stubborn, it’s crucial to understand why this happens.The simple truth is: 

December is a chaos engine for canine routine.

Why December Broke Your Dog's Brain (Temporarily)Dogs thrive on predictability, consistency, and routine. The holiday season is practically designed to destroy all three.

1. The Routine Shredder: Over the holidays, walk times shifted, mealtimes drifted, and sleeping patterns were disrupted. Maybe you were off work, so they got used to having you around 24/7. Now, suddenly, you're back at the office, the house is quiet, and their internal clock is reeling.

2. The Rule Bender: Be honest—did you let things slide in December? Did Grandma slip them turkey under the table? Did you let them jump up on guests because you were too busy mixing drinks to correct them? Did you skip training sessions because you were exhausted from shopping? When rules become flexible, dogs get confused. They don't understand "special occasion exceptions." They just learn that the rules don't always apply.

3. Sensory Overload Hangover: Think about your house over the last few weeks: flashing lights, a giant tree indoors, new smells, loud music, and a revolving door of visitors. That is a massive amount of stimulation for a dog. Now that the house is bare and quiet again, the sudden contrast can be unsettling and boring, leading to acting out.

How to Fix the Wobble: Back to Reality

The good news is that the January Wobble is rarely permanent. Your dog hasn't actually forgotten their training; it's just buried under weeks of holiday chaos.

Here is your action plan to get back on track:

1. Ruthless Routine Re-establishment 

This is the most important step. Dogs feel safe when they know what happens next. Set alarm clocks for walks and feeding times, and stick to them religiously for the next two weeks. The sooner their days become predictable again, the sooner their behaviour will settle.

2. The "Quick Refresh" Approach 

Don't assume they will instantly perform at their pre-December level. Lower your criteria. Instead of asking for a minute-long "stay" while you unpack groceries, reward a solid five-second "stay." Use high-value treats to remind them that listening to you is the best game in town. Five minutes of focused, positive basics (sit, down, touch, stay) twice a day will work wonders.

3. Winter Enrichment 

January is often dark, cold, and wet, meaning walks might be shorter. A bored dog is a naughty dog. If physical exercise is limited by the weather, ramp up the mental exercise. Use puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, or teach them a useless new parlour trick just to engage their brain.

4. Patience and Empathy 

Remember, your dog isn't doing this to annoy you. They are just as confused by the post-holiday slump as you are. Take a deep breath. Don't get angry when they "fail" a command; just reset, make it easier for them to succeed, and reward them when they do.

The Takeaway

The January Wobble is a normal bump in the road of dog ownership. It’s not a failure of your training, and it's not a character flaw in your dog. It’s just a canine hangover from the busiest month of the year.

Keep calm, reinstate the routine, grab the treat pouch, and you’ll have your well-behaved companion back before February arrives.