Dog Training Made Easy: Maximize Time and Results

Ask Me Anything: Part 1 – Time Investment

Welcome to Morrow Dog Training! This is the first in a series where we address questions from our community about dog training. Our inaugural question is:

“How much time should you spend working with your dog outside of professional training sessions?”

The Short Answer: It Depends!

Dog training is a learnable and accessible skill that can fit into various family structures and schedules. Having been a family therapist, I understand that change never involves one-size-fits-all solution. Dog training follows the same principle. Ultimately, consistent dog training for as little as 5-10 minutes a day can lead to change, but the more effort you put in, the better the results you will see.

At Morrow Dog Training, our core program, the “Good Dog” Dog Training Program, typically lasts between 3 and 6 weeks. The duration varies because of these two variables that you have direct control over: time and consistency. Of course, there are more variables affecting change (your dog’s breed, medical conditions, etc), but we will be focusing on two variables that you have control over.

Time: The Foundation of Effective Dog Training

Time encompasses both the duration of each training session and the frequency of these sessions throughout the day. Here’s how to optimize it:

• Short and Sweet: Keep training sessions no longer than 15 minutes to maintain your dog’s interest and enthusiasm. Experiment here and pay attention to your dog’s interest. Some dogs do better with 5 minutes and some dogs do better with 15.
• Multiple Sessions: Aim for 2 to 3 sessions of 15 minutes each per day. This increased frequency can lead to faster results.

Dogs, much like humans, have limited learning capacities in one go. Keeping sessions short and engaging ensures that training remains a positive experience.

Pay attention to your dog’s capacity for learning and adjust. If your dog is showing disinterest, one possibility is your training sessions may be going on too long.

Consistency: The Key to Successful Dog Training

Consistency is crucial in dog training. Even if you only spend 5 minutes a day training your dog, maintaining consistency will almost always lead to progress over time. Here’s why:

• Steady Progress: Consistent practice, even for short durations, ensures steady progress.
• Avoid Confusion: Follow the guidance of your dog trainer to avoid confusing your dog with mixed signals or commands.

Time and consistency interact with one another! When training my dog Maple, I found that even with some inconsistencies, the extensive time I invested made up for it. But if your training time is limited, consistency becomes even more critical.

• Follow Professional Guidance: Adhering to your dog trainer’s instructions ensures you’re on the right track.
• Be Patient: Training takes time, and every dog progresses at its own pace.
• Make Training Fun: Keep sessions enjoyable to foster a positive learning environment for your dog.

Conclusion

In summary, the amount of time you should spend training your dog outside of professional sessions depends on your goals, your dog’s temperament, and how much time you can realistically commit. By balancing time and consistency, you can achieve great results and develop a well-trained, happy dog.

Stay tuned for more insights and more tips from Morrow Dog Training! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!