Think about the last time you learned something new. Perhaps you’re working your way through a foreign language app or watching YouTube videos to master a new hobby. Maybe you’ve gone back to school to earn a degree. No matter what it is, for work or for fun, big or small, you’re a lifelong learner.
So is your dog!
Obedience training for your pooch isn’t a one-and-done thing. You can’t expect to walk out of a 45 – minute obedience class and expect perfection from your dog for the rest of his life. Like you, your dog grows, changes, and keeps learning. And, like you, he requires patience, compassion and consistency to stay on track and make positive progress.
Early Dog Training Takes Patience and Consistency
The point of training your dog isn’t to break their spirit or turn them into mindless obedience machines. Training your dog teaches them how to regulate their behavior and behave themselves in the world, under a variety of circumstances. Your dog wants to participate in life with you! But she wasn’t born knowing that she shouldn’t jump on people or chew on the couch. She needs you to teach her the rules here in our human world!
Think about it: do you want to be punished for rules you didn’t even know existed? Neither does your pup. Training teaches her the “rules” of good doggie behavior so you both can navigate this world together peacefully.
Just like when you were little and still learning how to be a person in the world, your dog also requires patience and consistency to learn the rules.
Training is Not Instant Gratification
You didn’t learn to read after just one lesson in kindergarten. And once you did learn to read, your reading skills grew with you over the years. Would you have been able to read 400-page novels (without pictures) at 7 years old? Probably not.
So why expect your new puppy to behave like a well-trained show dog after just one obedience class? Or your emotionally scarred rescue to break deeply embedded self-protection instincts overnight?
As your dog’s human/teacher/parent/safe person, you will need to tap into deep wells of both patience and consistency to start seeing the results you want in your furry friend.
Going back to our reading metaphor for a second, let’s remember that learning to read is a unique journey for every student. Some children pick it up right away, others need more help to progress. Learning to read is not a “one-size-fits-all” lesson. (Though, there are probably plenty of teachers who wish it were!)
There’s also no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to dog training. No one can (or should) tell you that you will have a perfectly obedient, model canine citizen in X amount of lessons. (If they do, they’re likely not a reliable trainer.) This is because dog training is not linear. There will be setbacks, forgetfulness, and unexpected situations. As we said before, we’re not trying to turn your dog into a mindless obedience machine. Your dog has his own unique personality, disposition, and set of circumstances. This means he’s going to be on his own journey as he learns how to be a good boy.
You’ll need a great deal of patience to remember that your dog isn’t forgetting his training on purpose just to frustrate or anger you. Be patient and stay calm. Be consistent with the training lessons you’ve learned. Over time, the lessons will sink in and stick better.
Your Dog is a Lifelong Learner
Humans are lifelong learners, and so are dogs. Just as we progress through many stages of life, so do dogs! Your pooch will go through the following stages:
Juvenile/Puppyhood (Birth to 6 Months)
Your puppy is full of energy and endless curiosity about this brand-new world she’s been born into. Your focus should be on socialization and basic obedience, such as sit, stay, come, and stop. At this stage, reinforcement is key, as your puppy’s attention is pulled in multiple directions at once while she explores and discovers her world.
Adolescence (6 Months to ~2 Years)
Just like human teenagers, your dog will probably spend this time testing boundaries. Larger breeds may continue their enthusiastic puppy behavior despite being bigger and heavier. This can be an incredibly trying time for you, as it seems like your sweet puppy has forgotten all his training. He hasn’t! He just needs extra consistency and patience from you to reinforce the rules. He will also benefit from plenty of physical and mental stimulation, so make sure you have lots of new toys for him.
Adulthood (2 to ~7 years)
Your dog has probably settled into herself by now. She’s the dog she was always meant to be: well-behaved and loving. But you’re not off the hook! She now depends on the routine you’ve set. Anything outside that routine may trigger an emotional setback. Try to react with the same love, patience, and consistency you always have. And continue her socialization with other humans and dogs, as well as mental enrichment through new games and toys.
Senior or Golden Years (7+ years):
Around 7 years old, your dog may become less active than he was, and his training needs may also change. Physical activity should reflect your dog’s decreased energy and potential health problems, such as arthritis. He continues to require mental stimulation, but in a gentler way. He may not need behavioral training anymore, but physical ailments may cause him to regress, through no fault of his own, in things such as housebreaking. Remember, too, at this stage that your dog still needs your guidance and patience.
Successful dog training happens through consistent practice, positive guidance, and lots of love. From early puppy training to advanced skills, the right training approach helps dogs learn faster and build lasting behaviors. If you’re looking for trusted Rhode Island dog training or positive reinforcement dog training in Providence, working with experienced trainers at Pooch Pawsitive can make the process smoother and more rewarding for both you and your dog.