Naughty List No More – Fix Bad Dog Habits Before the Year Ends in Orangevale

Look, we’ve all been there.

It’s the end of the year, you’re trying to sip some peppermint hot chocolate, reflect on your life, maybe stare dramatically out the window like you're in a holiday movie... and meanwhile your dog is in the background chewing your favorite slipper like it owes him money.

This was supposed to be your “calm before the new year” moment. Instead, you’re wrestling a sock from a creature who’s 30% fluff, 70% chaos, and 100% untrained.

If your pup is on the naughty list this year, don’t worry—this ain’t the end of the story. There’s still time to turn things around. At Sit Happens Orangevale, we specialize in in-home behavioral training for dogs that just need a little structure, a little love, and maybe a firm “no, that’s not a chew toy, that’s Grandma’s wig.”

Let’s fix those bad habits before you roll into 2026 looking like you survived a dog-powered disaster movie.

🎅 The “Naughty List” Explained

Here’s the deal: dogs aren’t born bad. They’re not trying to mess up your Christmas cards or embarrass you in front of your in-laws. They just don’t know better. That’s where training comes in.

Let’s break down the usual suspects—the kinds of things that land a pup on the naughty list faster than a squirrel on a powerline.

❌ Excessive Barking

Every doorbell, every squirrel, every leaf blowing down the street is DEFCON 1. You don’t need an alarm system—you need a mute button.

❌ Jumping on Guests

We get it. They’re excited. But when your cousin shows up in a white outfit and leaves looking like a lint roller? Not festive.

❌ Leash Pulling

It’s a walk, not a drag race. You’re not training for the Iditarod. You’re trying to go around the block without needing chiropractic care.

❌ Counter Surfing

You spent four hours baking cookies. Your dog spent 0.2 seconds turning those cookies into a midnight snack.

❌ Chewing Furniture, Socks, and Basically Everything

If it fits in their mouth, it’s going in. And if it squeaks, forget about it.

❌ Selective Hearing

"Sit"? Nope. "Come"? Not today. "Drop it"? Only if it's broken or already swallowed.

Sound familiar? Your dog’s not evil, just underemployed and over-energized.

🏡 Why In-Home Training in Orangevale Makes the Magic Happen

Let me hit you with some truth: your dog isn’t misbehaving in a training center. They’re misbehaving in your house. That’s where the real sitcom unfolds.

That’s why we at Sit Happens train where it matters—in your home in Orangevale, where:

• The distractions are real

• The counter full of snacks exists

• The doorbell is ready to ruin your evening at any moment

We meet your dog in their comfort zone and teach them how to chill out, listen, and behave exactly where the chaos lives.

🎓 What Our Behavioral Training Actually Teaches

This isn’t just “sit, stay, pray.” We’re going deep—addressing real behavioral issues with real strategies that work.

✅ Impulse Control

If your dog reacts faster than your Wi-Fi, we’re here to teach them the value of waiting—for food, for attention, for squirrels to pass peacefully.

✅ Respecting Boundaries

Your couch is not a jungle gym. Your guests are not chew toys. We help your dog understand the fine art of respectful living.

✅ Reliable Commands

We’re not talking about “sit” that only works when you’re holding a steak. We’re talking real-world obedience, under distractions, even when you're holding... a broccoli.

✅ Replacing Bad Habits

Your dog chews shoes because it’s fun and available. We redirect that energy into positive behaviors with consistent reinforcement and clear communication.

💡 Sit Happens Training Breakdown

Here’s how we bring obedience to your doorstep:

🔍 Step 1: Behavior Assessment

We observe your dog’s naughty behavior up close. What triggers them? Where are they struggling? What’s their vibe?

📋 Step 2: Customized Plan

No cookie-cutter programs. Your dog’s not a spreadsheet—they’re a complex individual with a tail. We tailor the training to your lifestyle, your space, and your goals.

🎯 Step 3: In-Home Training Sessions

We coach your dog (and you!) through real-life situations—like greeting guests calmly, resisting snacks, walking politely on a leash, and not losing their minds over the neighbor’s blow-up Santa.

🔁 Step 4: Reinforcement & Progress

We check in, tweak things, and make sure the habits stick. We want your dog listening after the trainer leaves, not just during the “honeymoon phase.”

⏰ Why Now’s the Perfect Time

Look, I know December’s busy. You’ve got gifts to wrap, cookies to burn, and family to host. But if you wait until January, guess what?

• That barking habit? Still here.

• That couch chewing problem? Worse.

• That door-greeting backflip? Legendary—and not in a good way.

Fix it now, and start the new year with a dog you’re proud of. Not one you have to apologize for every time someone walks through the front door.

🎉 Benefits of Training Before the Year Ends

• Guests will stop asking if your dog is “just excited” (translation: “why is this animal on my chest?”)

• Your house will survive the holidays with minimal destruction

• Your dog will enter the new year feeling confident, calm, and actually responsive

• You’ll stop Googling “why is my dog like this” at 2am

And most importantly? You’ll enjoy your dog more. You’ll relax. You’ll stop playing referee every time someone opens a snack.

📞 Let’s Get Your Pup Off the Naughty List

It’s time. Whether your dog’s been naughty all year or just pulled a last-minute stunt involving your couch and a tub of icing, we’ve got you covered.

🎯 We’re Sit Happens – Orangevale’s in-home dog training specialists
📞 Call us at (916) 886-9908 to schedule your consultation
🛋️ We come to you, assess the chaos, and create a calm, happy, well-mannered dog

TL;DR – Fix the Bark Before the Ball Drops

• Your dog’s wild behavior isn’t permanent—it’s fixable

• Sit Happens trains where it matters: your home

• We address real behavior issues, not just party tricks

• The holidays are chaotic—training now = sanity later

• End the year on a high note (not a howling one)

So say it with me now: “This is the year we fix it.”

Let’s get that good dog energy rolling into the new year.