How long does it take to train a dog?
How long does it take to “fix” a behavioural issue?
How long to “fully” train a dog?
These are just some of the questions we often receive, and the answer is always the same, “we cannot tell you that”.
Dogs are not a computer we program, they are sentient beings who although have common genetics as individuals, they all come with individual experiences, different development from a young age, living in different environments and all have different handlers with different handling and knowledge on developing and training a dog. Far too many variables to put a time frame on.
However, here are some things to consider;
– If you currently have or thinking of having a dog, training is for LIFE, not just a puppy school and you’re done.
– If you want reliability, this takes repetition, which takes commitment, which takes time.
– If using a trainer to help you achieve your training and behaviour goals, remember it is normally around 10% the trainer 90% YOU and YOUR time.
– ‘Fully trained’ is a GOAL but NOT a destination
– Train a LITTLE a time ALL THE TIME, it makes a world of difference
– Preventing behavioural problems is a hell of a lot easier and takes less time than resolving them.
– There is no training on Earth that can fix a behavioural issue quickly, you can MANAGE behaviour issues, so it appears they are fixed, but this is purely management, not a solution.
– Be PROACTIVE not INACTIVE.
– There are NO shortcuts
In the words of Martin Deely “When it comes to training a dog, 5 minutes a day Monday through Friday is better than 30 minutes on Saturday”.
REMEMBER, a dog is a commitment, and that means their development, their training, showing them what you do and do not want, maintaining their training, providing mental and physical enrichment and all the other elements it takes to provide for and have a happy and healthy companion, and all this takes time.
COVID-19 may have given many much more time, but this is (hopefully) limited so please consider if you have the time to invest in a dog once the world returns to some sort of normality.
Spend some more time with your dog because they sure as hell deserve it and that time is limited.