Today I’m diving into a question I hear a lot:
How long will it take to train my dog?
The pessimist’s answer: training is a lifelong process.
The optimist’s answer: we should see immediate notable improvements if the humans are willing to change. In fact, many people notice that the dog suddenly behaves better when the trainer arrives (even before official training has started). This is not because the dog wants you to waste your time with the consultation by not showing the depth of their MANY issues. It’s because the human dynamics in the room have changed, and the dog has adjusted its behavior accordingly.
Of course, “immediate improvement” is not the same as “immediate perfection,” but it does mean that if you’re determined to change your dog’s behavior, you can see progress TODAY.
Dog Training Program Length
So we’ve narrowed the timeline to between “immediate” and “entire lifespan.”
Not exactly helpful, huh?
Let’s narrow that down a bit more.
How Long Will it Take to Fix My Dog’s Problems?
In general, with a focused and systematic training approach, we should enjoy a major transformation within 3-8 weeks. Those of you who have been to our programs page will notice a lot of our programs fall in this range. This is generally the amount of time it takes for new, better habits to sink it. For a lot of difficult dogs we’re basically working to rewire their brain, and this takes time and repetition and consistency.
Fortunately, the training should get more enjoyable as you go, as success will be much easier to come by once you have some foundational skills. Walks feel less like “work” when the dog isn’t pulling you or lunging. Having the dog settle on the mat can be relaxing when they’re not immediately jumping off. Preventing excessive barking is less tiresome when it’s occasional rather than constant.
And seeing the dog’s progress is very inspiring and rewarding for us all.
A related question I often get:
So what behavioral factors can extend the training time?
– Severe fear or anxiety. A dog who is terrified of everything will learn less quickly. Imagine learning to fly a plane with a severe fear of heights and a propensity for motion sickness.
– Aggression always complicates the situation. It restricts our training options and makes the training sessions more difficult to organize and execute.
– Advanced goals. Obviously working dogs and service dogs will take longer to train because they have higher behavioral demands than what we expect from normal family dogs.
– Human preference/lifestyle. It’s okay to take a slower approach, as long as you make sure that the dog is not having opportunities to practice unwanted behaviors. Slow and steady is a respectable option. Just make sure the dog is consistently progressing. Dogs can also slowly and steadily slide into bad behavior, as we the people have a tendency to get lax over time.
– Puppies have a different timeline because they have to pass through several development phases and have less developed brains, though 3-8 weeks is still a good length for training puppy foundation behaviors.
***
So the shortened version is that if you’re dedicated and focused, 3-8 weeks is a good timeline for transforming your dog’s behavior.
Finally, keep in mind that every interaction with your dog is “training.” They are always learning. Ideally, we are always teaching. That’s when wonderful things start to happen.
***
If you’re not already following us on Facebook and Instagram, you’re missing out of some VERY good looking dogs as well as behind-the-scenes looks into the training process.
***
Interested in learning more about how we can help you reach your dog training goals? Contact us below.
Nate Hess is a dog behavior specialist and the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides comprehensive dog training and behavior services in Fresno and Clovis, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC) and Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. He lives in Clovis, CA, with his wife, Elaine, and some lovely dogs.