Does your dog behave as you would like sometimes – but not all of the time?
Have you ever wondered why your dog listens to one member of your household, but completely disregards another?
The answer to these questions can be summarized in one word – consistency.
There are several key ingredients that contribute towards a well-trained dog. Above all else, though, consistency is the factor that will determine how reliable your dog’s behavior is in a variety of different situations. A lack of consistency can create confusion for your dog, and these mixed messages can then translate into frustration for you as their owner.
In this article, we’ll look at consistency in detail – and offer some tips for building consistency into your dog’s training regimen.
What consistency actually means
Simply put, consistency is doing the same thing the same way, every single time. No variations, no changes, no differences. This applies to every single facet of your dog’s behavior, from the way that you teach a command, to the way that you interact with your dog, to the rewards or consequences for performing (or, alternatively, not performing) a given behavior. The criteria of what you expect in your dog is of paramount importance. It means that your dog knows what to expect in any given situation.
There is often some confusion between consistency and repetition. Repetition is doing something again and again, and while it can create good habits, it doesn’t necessarily equal consistency. There are two ways this can often manifest itself. The first is that if you’re repeating the wrong thing, it can cause greater problems further down the line that may take longer to rectify. The second is that consistency is actually about building predictability for your dog – not just repeating the same activity without creating any expectations for them.
Why consistency is crucial for dogs
Dogs learn through association, meaning that they connect actions with consequences. This means that when your dog does something, they typically know what the outcome will be. Consistency is your friend here, because you can show them through trials that certain behaviors equal consequences they deem desirable, and other behaviors equal consequences they deem undesirable.
Through applying consistency, your dog quickly understands the ramifications of their behavior. This happens in our human everyday world, too. If we show up to work, we earn a consistent paycheck. If we break the speed limit, we get a speeding ticket.
In addition, we all thrive in a stable, secure learning environment. It doesn’t matter if you’re a child in your early school years, an adult pursuing a post-graduate degree, or a dog who is learning their fundamental obedience cues – security and stability contribute to better learning outcomes. In a predictable setting – with consistent rules, boundaries and expectations – your dog will grasp teaching concepts more quickly.
Common mistakes with consistency
You may think that you are always consistent when you work with your dog. Perhaps you have the same routine when it comes to training sessions, and you’re wondering why your dog isn’t making the progress you are anticipating. Here are a few common reasons why you may not be as consistent as you think:
- Changing cues. Let’s imagine you want your dog to come to you (recall command). Which word do you use for the cue? Do you say “here”? Do you say “come”? Do you say your dog’s name? Whichever option you pick, make sure you’re consistent! Your dog cannot understand that those three aforementioned options all have the same meaning, so pick one and stick with it! You really should only be saying the dog’s name if they’re not paying attention or you have more than one dog out.
- Timing errors. Timing is one of the most important components of training a dog. Reward too early, and the dog doesn’t make the association; reward too late, and the dog may feel they are getting paid for a different behavior. Make sure you are consistent with marking the behavior then reaching for your reward. A great way to develop good timing with marking a behavior is to practice with a tennis ball. Have someone bounce a tennis ball and every time the tennis ball hits the ground, practice using your Marker – whether that’s a clicker device or your verbal marker (“Yes!”).
- Contextual changes. Consistency means that your dog has the same expectations in any environment. Sometimes, your dog may be impeccably behaved at home, but then act differently when out in public. The key here is to consistently practice in a variety of environments so that your dog learns the behavior in different contexts; only do so however, when the dog has that concrete foundation of understanding the behavior at home or on the training grounds.
- Family members applying different rules. Your dog will test the boundaries – and sometimes, they know that some things just won’t fly with one family member, but that another is far more lenient. If you are trying to stop your dog from jumping up on people, yet one member of the family is constantly encouraging your dog to jump up and greet visitors or rough house with them, that is creating inconsistency in terms of the dog’s expectations. Dogs for the most part understand always and never, not sometimes and maybe.
How to create consistency in your dog training
Consistency is primarily about setting clear rules and boundaries in your dog’s behavioral patterns that everyone must agree to – that means you and the other members of your household. Agree upon what is and isn’t allowed so there is no room for the dog to test boundaries, and remain steadfast, even when your dog pushes you. Make sure that everyone sees to it that the dog executes to completion when asked to do something, and ensure that everyone is using the same commands and is using the marker system correctly. For example, using the terminal marker to release the dog from the behavior or release them from an implied stay. Include all members of the family in your dog’s training so nobody is unclear on the expectations.
You can also build consistency through routine. Writing up a weekly schedule of small training sessions is an excellent way to create positive habits, and tracking progress in a training log can also be beneficial. Once the dog has a firm foundation, exposing your dog to different environments (ex: busy downtown areas, quiet trail walks, somewhat busy sub-divisions) is a great way to reinforce their learning, even when the context changes.
The long-term benefits of consistency
Consistent training protocols typically result in a dog that is easier to manage, and far less stress for owners. It creates a relationship between you and your dog that is built on trust, where the expectations are clear on both sides. By being more consistent with your dog, you’re communicating better – in other words, “you’re speaking dog” – while being fair to them and not violating the law of expectations in the dog.
If you are struggling with building consistency with your dog’s training, reach out to us at info@k9evolutionsdogtraining.com. Consistency isn’t just an option – it is essential when it comes to training your dog. We’d love to help your family live a more harmonious (and less stressful) life with your pup, so reach out and find out how we can help.
