Category: Love dogs

Why Your Dog Doesn’t Always Do as You Ask

It seems that our dogs have a selective response. Sometimes they do what we ask, but sometimes they don’t. If your dog isn’t consistently executing skills, chances are it’s not because they’re stubborn—it’s because your messaging isn’t consistent.

Let’s walk through the most common human mistakes that interfere with effective training (and yes, I’ve made them too).

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Common Inconsistencies That Sabotage Dog Training

• Using English too early
  We’re verbal creatures, but dogs are physical learners. Starting with verbal cues before your dog understands the physical behavior only adds confusion. Use hand signals first—then layer in the word after they reliably perform the behavior.

  Learn how to introduce verbal cues the right way

• Inconsistent verbal cues
  You taught “Stay,” but sometimes you say “Stay here!” or “Wait!” instead. Dogs don’t know these are all the same thing. Use the exact word you’ve trained—and only that word—every time. Puttin a sentence around it adds confusion.

• Weak or missing rewards
  That pat on the head might feel good to you—but your dog was expecting the treat! Dogs need a clear, immediate reinforcement within 5 seconds of the desired behavior. Keep meat treats on you at all times!

• Inconsistent expectations
  If your dog looks at you when you say their name and sometimes gets rewarded, but other times you expect them to come to you instead—you’re blurring the rule by changing the criteria of the skill. Train one specific skill at a time and reinforce it consistently.

• Rewarding bad behavior accidentally
  You’re doing great ignoring jumping—until one day, you push your dog away or say “No!” That reaction is still attention, and it teaches your dog persistence pays off.

• When inconsistency is good
  Once a skill is fully trained, variable reinforcement (only delivering a treat sometimes) becomes powerful. Your dog starts trying harder to earn the reward because the reward doesn’t come every time. This is where their persistence finally pays off—in your favor.

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Training Tips Summary for Staying Consistent

• Accept that dogs don’t speak English and use the same verbal cue each time.

• Think before you cue. Slow down and decide what you’re about to ask—and be ready to deliver a treat for reinforcement.

• Carry high-value treats. Praise and reward within 5 seconds.

• Reward for each ask.

• Keep the criteria the same unless your taking baby steps towards an end criteria.

For more great tips, download a FREE copy of my Training Essentials Guide. This is also an interesting article on consistency and how sometimes you need a little inconsistency!