Consistency is the secret sauce.

When it comes to dog training (and honestly, life in general), I see a common struggle: we set big goals, dive in with enthusiasm, and then hit a wall when progress feels slow. Sound familiar? It’s easy to get frustrated and think, “Why am I not seeing results?” Here’s the truth—it’s not about doing it all at once or in one perfect session. It’s about consistency, those small, steady efforts that add up over time.

The Myth of the "Big Breakthrough"

We often think success happens in big leaps—one magical day when everything just clicks. But dog training doesn’t really work that way, does it? Sure, there are those moments when your dog nails a skill, and it feels like a huge win. But what we don’t always acknowledge is what came before that: the repetition, the small adjustments, and the patience.

Progress isn’t about cramming all your training into one marathon session. In fact, that’s often counterproductive. Dogs (and humans!) learn best through regular, focused practice, not long, exhausting drills. It’s the day-to-day consistency that creates those “breakthrough” moments we love.

Consistency Isn’t About Perfection

Let’s be real—life gets busy. Maybe you have a full-time job, kids, or a million other responsibilities pulling you in different directions. The good news? Being consistent doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s not about training for an hour every single day without fail. It’s about showing up regularly, even if it’s just for 5 minutes.

Have a chaotic day? Do one quick session where you reinforce something your dog already knows. Got more time one evening? Plan a focused session to tackle a skill that needs improvement. Consistency isn’t about doing it all; it’s about doing something.

And here’s the kicker: your dog doesn’t need long sessions to make progress. A few minutes of intentional training goes a long way. Plus, keeping it short and fun keeps both you and your dog engaged.

Track It to See It

One of the best ways to stay consistent is to track what you’re doing. I get it—writing things down can feel like another task on your to-do list, but trust me, it’s worth it. When you take the time to note what you worked on, what went well, and where you struggled, you start to see patterns.

Maybe you notice your dog learns faster when you train in the morning instead of the evening. Or maybe you realize you’ve been avoiding a tricky skill, and it’s time to revisit it. Tracking progress helps you stay accountable and reminds you of how far you’ve come—even when it feels like you’re moving at a snail’s pace.

If you’re using a planner, jot down your training sessions and any small wins. Progress isn’t always obvious in the moment, but when you look back and see consistent effort, you’ll realize just how much you’ve accomplished.

The Compound Effect

Here’s the beauty of consistency: the little things add up. Each 5-minute session, every small win, and all those moments where you “just show up” create momentum. Over time, that momentum turns into progress.

So, the next time you feel like you’re not doing enough or that progress is too slow, take a step back and remind yourself: consistency is the secret sauce. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and trusting that those small, steady steps will take you where you want to go.

Ready to train smarter, not harder? Grab your planner, jot down your next training goal, and let’s get to work—one consistent step at a time.