Consistency is the Key to Successful Dog Training

Trainer and author Shannon Riley-Coyner joins host Laura Reeves to talk about the key to successful dog training – consistency.

“Really, consistency is something that even as humans, we thrive on,” Riley-Coyner said. “Like if we have a relationship, whether it's with our children, our spouse, our friends. Inconsistency really creates fear. It creates anxiety. It creates a lack of trust.”

Five Ways to be Consistent

Clarity is kindness

“We need a way of communicating with (our dogs),” Riley-Coyner said. “If I don't have some consistent words that mean something, we’re going to have a hard time communicating because dogs don't talk in language like this. They talk with body language and we need to know about these things.”

Consistency for the dogs within the family is critical, Riley-Coyner said. Which is why using consistent words, rules and a similar tone should be part of the family meeting for any new dog.

“Tone will amp up a dog or bring a dog down,” Riley-Coyner said. “It’s a lot of training ourselves.” Consistency from the beginning and building a foundation, she added, enables us as trainers to show our dogs that "clarity is kindness.”