I was talking about being unpredictable in your dog training here recently. And yet I also talk a lot about being consistent!
It’s a fine line we need to tread. Between boring the proverbial pants off our dog and retaining some semblance of knowing what we’re doing.
And it’s not only in your life with your dog that you need to keep this in mind … more below.
Predictability
In your training you need to be predictable. Your dog has to KNOW without a doubt when she’s got something right.
So this is why using your marker at the right moment is so important.
“Marker?” you ask? This is what you do when your dog does something you like. Some folk like to use a clicker, but most will get along very nicely with a word. I use YES. Quick, clear, to the point. Whatever my dog was doing when I say YES is something she’ll consider worth repeating.
Why? Because YES is always followed with a reward.
Always. No exceptions.
This is where the clarity and consistency come in.
So if you’re woolly over your timing, your dog’s response is going to be equally woolly.
I often say Lacy wears her heart on her tail! Because I know EXACTLY when she’s GOT the new thing she’s learning, as her tail starts to swish as soon as she does the required action.
This is great feedback for me!
Your dog may give a clear signal like that. Or you may have to depend on
🐾 sparkly eyes,
🐾 slightly parted mouth,
🐾 eager stance …
See the image at the top for a demo of this. By the way, Lacy hadn’t just eaten a cat - I was wearing a red jumper and it reflected back on to her pearly whites!
You’ll get to know exactly what your dog does when she gets it. This is wonderfully rewarding for us, too.
Unpredictability
But there’s also a place for being UNPREDICTABLE!
Don’t be a clockwork dog owner - keep your dog guessing!
🐾 Do you usually train in the kitchen?
✔️ Train in the bedroom.
🐾 Do you usually sit in a particular chair?
✔️ Choose another.
🐾 Do you usually train your dog at a certain time - or place?
✔️ Mix it up.
Get the idea?
And if your dog is doing something you’re not mad about, follow this simple recipe:
1. Your dog is doing something.
2. Decide what you’d like instead.
3. Teach the new thing.
4. Be consistent.
Please don’t expect your dog to somehow know - not only what aspect of her behaviour is troubling you, but what you want her to do instead!
Dogs are remarkably sensitive and observant, but they don’t have a crystal ball.
Not only with our dog . . .
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And it’s not only with our dog we need to combine unpredictability and consistency. If you’ve done the same things, day in, day out, since forever . . . you’re going to get the same results as you’ve always got. Stands to reason!
So to get the change we all need - to move forward in our lives and fulfil our true potential - something has got to change. We can’t stay stuck in childhood our whole life.
Change things up, be unpredictable! This is the ultimate sign of a flexible mind.
Choose new thoughts, new feelings, new things you can do.
While, at the same time, being consistent!
Always stay true to your values and your core beliefs.
That’s a puzzle for you to work out. Have fun!