There are literally thousands of books and sites about the way to best train us dogs. (Yes, I'm a ten year old yellow Labrador.) So how is it really possible that most people still don't get the one factor that's important to their achievement? Successfully training a dog is more on the people than it's the dog. (I've always known it wasn't truly my fault!)

Owners Aren't Consistent

Here is the issue. Most owners do not know a thing about how to train us. You all think that if you get mad at the dog about something a few times that it automatically means we will stop doing it... Even though the following few times it happens... we are not getting in trouble.

Here is an example about one of my favourite subject. Food. If there's food on the counter and I get in trouble for taking it the 1st 4 times I try it but not the next time... I am thinking it may be worth it to snatch it again and hope that it will be one of the times I get away with it.

It is not about the dog... it is about the trainer... and the consistency of that person. If I get in trouble every single time I try and take food from the kitchen counter, finally I will stop doing it. But if there is a small chance I will get away with it I'll probably keep doing it. It doesn't work if I only get in trouble some of the time, or the majority of the time. It has got to be each single time.

People Are Really Lazy

This is the key reason many people fail at getting their dog trained. They are way too lazy to do it the right way. Our veterinarian once said (well, she said it more than once because boss is a slow learner... and is kind of lazy). "Never give the dog an order that you are not ready to enforce." As a dog I'm not a giant fan of this, but it it works.

Once I know that I have to do what the boss says... Then I give up and start doing it.

You have to convince me that when I am doing something bad, you're going to seriously get up off the couch to stop me. If you are just going to say bad words to me (after do bad), I might still do it. You have to make me stop every single time I do what you don't want me to. Not most of the time... Every single time.

A Shortcut That I Believe Is Cheating

Since we know that the hardest problem with getting a dog trained is the human always being consistent and not being lazy, this is a method to cheat a bit. When you are paying attention to the dog, and you're ready to enforce the rules, I... we learn a lot faster.

Set The Dog Up For Failure

As an example if you're having trouble keeping the dog off the counters, intentionally put food at the edge of the counter. Make sure it is simply in the dog's reach. Then stay close by and pay attention on the dog so that you can correct them immediately when they start to snatch it. If the dog barks when visitors come in your house, have friends come over when you are prepared and ready for target the dog's behavior instantly.

Have I mentioned yet that person is more important in this equation than the dog is? If you pay attention and are consistent in what behavior correct, any dog can understand what you need them to.

Did You Actually Teach Them What Was Not OK?

Does your dog do something they should not be doing? Did you actually TEACH them that they should not do it? Just telling them doesn't count, you have to teach them what's ok and what is not ok.

Oh... And you have got to be really consistent about it... Have I mentioned that yet? I'm aware that I said it a few times, but if you're as slow as my boss is, I need say it a few times!!