The Surprising Way to Get the Most out of your Dog Training Sessions.
- Amber Riley
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
After a slap on the back and laughter in the air following "You're not training the dog, you're training me," an air of seriousness ensues with my clients. I assure them that they are indeed right in that presumption. Often, owners show up with a handful of money, ready for that money to fix their problem. We've been conditioned that "throwing money at the problem" fixes it right up. While this can be true with more mechanical issues, it never is when it comes to training your dog. Showing up with that mindset will be detrimental to success. Dog's understand patience, patterns, and consistency. Here's the what skills you'll be learning during the process.
Understand That Patience Is Key
Lets stop and recognize one of the best lessons our dogs can teach us. Patience. Dogs don’t learn new behaviors instantly; they need time to understand what is expected of them. They do not speak english and have no reckonging of our human whims. One thing you'll be building a skill in is patience.
Give your dog time to catch on: Some dogs pick up commands quickly, while others need several repetitions over days or weeks.
Avoid rushing the process: Pushing too hard can confuse your dog and cause frustration on both ends, which hinders learning.
Celebrate small wins: Recognize and reward progress, even if it’s minor. This builds confidence for your dog and keeps you motivated.
By being patient, you create a positive learning environment where your dog feels safe and ready to learn. If you find yourself losing patience, a questions to ask yourself to help can be. Why am I in such a hurry?
Consistency Builds Understanding
Dogs thrive on routine. This, as a owner and human being is one of my largest shortcomings. My dogs have given me a reason outside of myself to be better in this area. Putting in the mental discipline to do this, can be extremely grounding, and I am thankful for this lesson. Dogs learn best when commands, rewards, and expectations remain consistent.
Create and follow rules: Regardless of the nuances that surround a situation, follow your rules. Inconsistency creates stress, and confusion.
Use the same commands and signals: Changing words or hand gestures can confuse your dog.
Practice daily: Short, frequent sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.
Involve all family members: Everyone should use the same commands and rules to avoid mixed signals.
Consistency from you helps your dog form clear associations between behaviors and outcomes, speeding up the learning process. We should take this as a lesson in being present and thoughtful about our actions.
Establish a Pattern That Lasts
Training isn’t about one-off sessions. It’s about creating a pattern that your dog can recognize and rely on. As a trainer, I understand why this can be so hard for owners. I actively have seen where people have stuck to the advice and gotten the results they needed. However as an owner training their dog for the first time, there can be a learning curve when it comes to walking an unkown path. Trust us.
Stick with the trainer’s advice: Trainers design programs based on what works best for your dog’s breed, age, and personality. It might look completely different than how you've trained a dog in the past.
Complete the homework: Practice exercises that are given to you by your trainer to reinforce what your dog learns during sessions. It can also give you valuable information on your dogs learning style.
Stack sessions effectively: Each session should build on the last, gradually increasing difficulty or introducing new commands.
If you skip homework or don’t follow the trainer’s plan, your dog may get confused, and progress will stall. I am not saying to blindly trust just anybody either. Ask questions and communicate if needed. A good trainer can and will walk you through their decisions on your dogs training.
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