This is so true when we communicate with our dogs. Often reliability in our dogs' behaviour or skills is lacking because we are inconsistent with our messages to them.
Have you ever had a supervisor/manager who was inconsistent/unpredictable with their expectations of you? How did that make you feel? When there's inconsistency with expectations, you feel uneasy and uncertain. Your dog can feel the same if your communication varies.
We can build certainty and confidence in our dogs and strengthen their relationship with us by being clearer and more consistent with our communication.
A couple of handy hints for consistency:
One command for one behaviour.
If you want your dog to consistently 'lay down' don't call it 'drop' one day, then 'down' the next. This will cause confusion and ultimately unreliability with your dog's performance of the command.
Use marker words.
a word to let them know the moment there is the 'right behaviour and reward is coming',
a word to let them know 'wrong choice, try again', and
a release word so that your dog understands controlled positions like sit, drop, place have an end cue.
If your dog does a good behaviour, mark and reward.
Fulfill your reward marker contract by ensuring a reward follows each time you say it.
If your dog makes the wrong choice, ensure that you help them make the right one.
Fulfill your non reward marker contract by guiding your dog to making the right choice, don't let it slide.
Ensure your release word is used each time you command a controlled position.
Be consistent with the rules and boundaries you have for your dog.
By applying these handy hints your dog's response to you and your instruction will become much more reliable and you will have more success with advancing skills to a very high level.
To overcome obedience or behavioural issues, we must start at the bottom and build a solid foundation. A large part of the foundation is clear and consistent communication.
As a dog owner, it can be hard to be consistent because it's an act of self control on our part to be mindful of our interactions, but putting in the extra effort will pay off. Trust us :)
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