​The Importance of Consistency (or not) in Dog Training

Photo by Kampus Production

   You’ve probably heard a lot about how crucial consistency is in dog training—and that’s true! But it’s important to understand where consistency really matters and where flexibility can actually benefit you and your dog.
 
When Consistency is Key
   Let’s start with cues (the signals you give your dog to perform specific behaviors). Being consistent with the words you use is essential. For instance, if you use the word “down” to ask your dog to lie down, but also use “down” when they’re jumping up on you, you’re setting the stage for confusion. Similarly, if you sometimes say “down” to ask your dog to lie down, but other times say “chill” or “relax,” it can be tough for your dog to understand what you really want.
While it’s possible for dogs to learn different words for the same behavior, keeping it simple by using the same cue each time is often the best route. This is particularly true when teaching new behaviors, as consistency helps your dog learn more quickly and clearly.
   Consistency isn’t just about the words you use—it extends to the tone of your voice and how often you give the cue. For example, repeating a cue over and over can become background noise to your dog. They might even start thinking they don’t need to respond until you’ve said it multiple times. By saying the cue once, you avoid teaching your dog that ignoring you the first few times is an option.
Another area where consistency matters is in how often you practice a behavior. Let’s say you’re working on polite leash walking. If you’re asking your dog to walk nicely most of the time, but occasionally let them pull because they’re excited to sniff something, you’re sending mixed signals. Your dog might learn that pulling on the leash works when they really want something, which can undermine your training efforts.
   If leash manners are something you’re struggling with, feel free to reach out. I have some effective strategies for teaching polite leash walking!
 
Where Consistency Can Work Against You
   Now, here’s where things get tricky—consistency isn’t always a good thing. Humans are naturally inconsistent, and that can sometimes work against us in training. The real challenge arises when we’re not around to maintain that consistency.
   For instance, let’s talk about potty training. Ideally, we’re consistently taking our puppy outside when they need to go and rewarding them for pottying outside. But what happens when we’re at work or out of the house? We can’t be there to take them out, and that’s where problems arise. The puppy might learn that it’s okay to potty inside when you’re not home because no one is there to take them outside or correct them.
   Even worse, your puppy may figure out that they can go potty in the house whenever you’re not looking. A fascinating study showed that dogs are aware when you’re paying attention to them. In this study, dogs were told to “leave it” when a treat was placed in front of them. As long as the human was watching, the dogs wouldn’t take the treat. But as soon as the person closed their eyes, many of the dogs grabbed the treat! It’s fun to try this with your own dog.
  Dogs are incredibly observant, and they can quickly learn when you’re unavailable to redirect them—whether you’re washing dishes or getting into the shower. This can be especially problematic with behaviors like potty training and destructive chewing.
 
Planning for Inconsistencies
   The best way to handle the inconsistencies we can’t control is by planning for them. For example, in the case of potty training, you might want to use crates, baby gates, or puppy pads when you’re not able to be there. This way, you’re preventing the puppy from developing bad habits when you’re not around to guide them.
   Below are some links to resources that can help with potty training and managing destructive chewing. Consistency, where it matters, will go a long way in helping your dog learn faster and more reliably.

In the meantime, happy training! 
 
Potty Training: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:6b6f792b-56b7-4b41-894a-33b79c9c51b2
 
Destructive Chewing: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:ba367490-5c9e-4764-8d9c-44285dc460d1

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