You Get What You Give: The importance of being consistent in dog training

When I was young, my parents taught me to work hard for what I wanted. 

So naturally, when I hit high school, and I started dreaming of getting my license and eventually my very own car, there were important lessons to be learned.

Rather than gifting me a car…

Or telling me to save my money…

My Dad instead, made me a deal.

He told me that, while I would need to start saving, if I did so he’d match my investment, dollar for dollar.

It was an incentive. 

An incentive for me to roll up my sleeves and do the work. But it also made the task seem just a little less daunting…

It made it feel a little more achievable. 

We were in this together. We were a team.

This lesson that I learned all those years back stuck with me.

Because it wasn’t just about saving money and buying a car. 

It was an important illustration of the power of the team. 

And it was something I could apply to many areas of my life. 

Especially my relationships.

And that includes the relationship I have with my dogs.

Check it out…

When it comes to training your dog…

You get what you give.

Your dog will always match your investment. 

If you are committed to your training and to getting results, your dog will be too. 

If you are engaged and eager during your training sessions, your dog is more likely to be as well.

But…

And here’s the tough love…

If you are uncommitted, checked out, disengaged or inconsistent…your dog will match it. 

I’ll say it again for the people in the back…

If you are inconsistent…your dog will be too.

And this concept doesn’t just apply to your relationship with your dog.

The idea of “investment matching” can also be applied to your relationship with your trainer.

Because I hate to break it to ya…

Your trainer isn’t going to solve all of your dog’s problems, without you jumping on board, rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. 

If you enroll in private lessons or group classes, and you don’t do your homework…

Don’t practice between sessions…

Your trainer will be less motivated to coach you. 

Why should they be committed and consistent if you won’t?

And if you enroll your dog in board and train, and you don’t follow through with your trainer’s instructions when your dog comes home…

All that training your dog received will go right out the window.

Not to mention, your dog will be left feeling more confused than ever…

Because his experience with people is so inconsistent.

Oh, and trainers…

This is for you too. 

If you aren’t invested in your students’ success…

I mean really invested…

You can expect them to follow suit. 

Listen…

In life…

In our relationships…

And in dog training. 

You get what you give. 

So if you’re not engaged or consistent, don’t expect anyone around you, your dog included, to pick up your slack.