Dog obedience and training > Information > Dog Training - Staying Consistent

Dog Training - Staying Consistent

By Ty Brown

What is the single biggest problem facing dog owners when they attempt to train their dogs? Is it stubborn dogs? Is it lack of time? Dumb dogs, dogs that are too smart, dogs that are too wild or too calm? No, no, no. The answer is CONSISTENCY. I constantly (and consistently for that matter) preach this principle to my clients because this is the area where the majority of dog owners fail… consistently.

My typical dog training session with a client ends with instructions on what training areas to focus on for the coming week. Too often my follow up appointment goes like this:

Me- So how did things go this past week?
Client- Went well for the first day or two?
Me- What happened after that?
Client- Well, Princess stopped obeying as well as she did when you were here.
Me- Did you keep doing the training as I showed you.
Client- Well, we did for the first little bit but then we got busy and weren’t able to train as much.
Me- When you were training were you following the instructions just like I showed you.
Client- Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Me- AHHHHHHHH! (Followed by a large THUMP as I kick myself in the shins)

Please forgive my harshness. My frustration is born of countless follow up sessions where I find out that specific instructions were not followed. As a result more training time is spent to correct mistakes, not to mention more money is thrown my way when four weeks of training takes eight instead (I charge by the hour you know). The reason a professional trainer can accomplish in four weeks what an average dog owner can accomplish in eight weeks or more is only partly due to skill level. The real determining factor is the fact that the trainer understands the principle of being 100% consistent with EVERY behavior. Imagine if this lack of consistency was seen in other industries:

Dentist- So how are things?
Client- My teeth hurt.
Dentist- Did you follow my instructions from your last visit?
Client- Well, I was brushing my teeth every day but then I got busy so now I brush them a few times a month.
Dentist- AHHHHHHHH! (Followed by a loud WHHOOOSH as the Dentist attempts to suck off his face with the suction hose.)

Whether your dog training efforts are self taught, trainer taught, or friend taught, when it comes to training your dog, be consistent. When you are teaching your dog a new behavior, whether it be ‘sit’, ‘heel’, housebreaking, unwanted jumping, or whatever, be consistent. Follow the instructions that you have 100% of the time. When you think your dog has mastered the behavior keep training. If you can master this principle your training effectiveness will grow in leaps and bounds.