Over the years, countless clients have contacted me feeling frustrated and discouraged, telling me, “What you showed me isn’t working.” Whenever I hear that, my first question is always the same: “Are you being consistent?” And almost every time, I hear a variation of the same reply: “Yes, most of the time.”

Here’s the thing: “most of the time” is not consistency. And if you're only consistent most of the time, your dog is being given an unpredictable set of rules to follow. For a species that thrives on clarity, predictability, and structure, that inconsistency is not just confusing—it can actually set your dog back.

Why Humans Struggle with Consistency

Humans, by nature, are inconsistent. We’re emotional, busy, distracted, and often overwhelmed. Unlike dogs, we can verbalise our intentions, explain our moods, and justify our decisions. We might excuse ourselves from following through with something because we’re tired or in a rush, or simply because it doesn’t feel convenient in the moment.

That kind of variability might be acceptable in human relationships—our friends, partners, or colleagues can usually understand if we drop the ball occasionally. But when it comes to training or rehabilitating a dog, the same kind of flexibility becomes a liability.

Dogs don't have the ability to reason through our inconsistencies. They can’t say to themselves, “Ah, he let me get away with it today because he’s had a rough morning,” or “She didn’t correct me this time, so she must be too tired.” They live in the present moment and learn by association, not explanation.

This is where many dog owners go wrong. We treat our dogs like humans, expecting them to interpret our moods or forgive our lack of follow-through. But dogs don't operate that way. They learn through repetition and consequence. If a behaviour is rewarded one day and punished the next, what they learn is unpredictability—and that creates confusion, frustration, and sometimes behavioural resistance or pushback.

The Confused Dog

Imagine trying to learn a new skill—let’s say a foreign language—from a teacher who keeps changing the rules. One day, a word means one thing, the next day it means something else. Sometimes you're praised for using it, sometimes you're scolded. Over time, you’d likely become frustrated, confused, and eventually stop trying.

That’s what inconsistent training feels like to a dog. When the rules are unclear or change based on your mood or level of patience, your dog becomes unsure of what’s right and wrong. They may start to ignore commands, challenge boundaries more often, or show signs of stress or anxiety.

In some dogs, especially more assertive or strong-willed individuals, inconsistency opens the door to testing limits. If a dog learns that consequences vary depending on the day, they may push harder to see how far they can go. In others, particularly more sensitive dogs, it can lead to confusion and a lack of confidence, undermining the bond of trust between dog and handler.

The Power of Predictability

Dogs are creatures of habit. They feel safe and secure when their environment is stable and the rules are predictable. When your responses to their behaviour are consistent—every time—they learn much faster and retain those lessons longer.

Predictability reduces anxiety. It makes your expectations clear. And most importantly, it builds trust.

This doesn’t mean being harsh or rigid. It means being reliable. If you correct a behaviour once, you need to be prepared to correct it every time. If you reward a behaviour once, you need to ensure that reward is consistently tied to that specific behaviour, not given randomly or based on your emotional state.

Consistency = Leadership

When you’re consistent, your dog sees you as a stable, dependable leader. Dogs look to their humans for guidance. If that guidance is erratic, they’ll either try to take control themselves or disengage entirely.

Leadership, in the context of dog training, is not about being overly domineering—it’s about trust, clarity, and reliability. A good leader doesn’t change the rules based on their mood or external circumstances. A good leader sets boundaries and enforces them fairly and predictably.

Being consistent sends the message: “You can count on me to be clear, fair, and follow through.” That’s what builds a healthy relationship between you and your dog.

It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Awareness

No one is perfect. Life gets in the way, and occasionally, we all miss a cue or let something slide. That’s understandable. But the more aware you are of how important consistency is, the more likely you are to catch yourself when you start to veer off course.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s awareness and commitment. If you're truly committed to helping your dog succeed, then consistency has to become a core value in your training and everyday interactions.

One of the most powerful things you can do is pause before responding to your dog and ask yourself: “Am I reinforcing something I actually want? Am I being consistent with the rules I've set?” That moment of reflection can make a world of difference in your dog’s understanding and development.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been putting in effort, following advice, and working hard, but not seeing the results you expected, it's time to take a step back and ask yourself honestly: Am I truly being consistent?

“Most of the time” isn’t enough. Not for your dog. Not for real behavioural change. Your dog doesn’t understand most of the time. They only understand what you teach them through consistent actions, boundaries, and consequences.

Dogs don’t need perfection. They need clarity. They need structure. And above all, they need a leader who is consistent—not just when it’s easy or convenient, but always.

Because at the end of the day, consistency isn't just a training technique—it's a commitment to your dog’s wellbeing and success.