Dog training. It’s not as glamorous as the TikTok videos of adorable pups doing tricks, but when done right, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can share with your furry friend. I’ve been through the trenches myself, trust me—my dog, Buddy, once mistook my leather shoes for a chew toy, and my heart broke a little as I watched him destroy my favorite pair. But hey, that’s all part of the journey. Let’s dive into the real dog training mistakes—ones I made, and ones you can avoid.

1. Inconsistent Commands and Expectations

One of the biggest mistakes I see, and something I did myself at first, is being inconsistent with commands. Dogs like things clear—black and white. They don’t want to be confused. But here’s the kicker: I used to tell Buddy “sit” some days and “lay down” others when I wanted him to park it on the carpet. Uh, spoiler alert: He didn’t get it.

Why Consistency is a Must

Dogs are like us in one way—routine works. If you use the same word every time, your dog knows exactly what you mean. You’re not going to tell someone “hey, uh, take a seat,” one day and “sit down” the next. It’s the same thing with your pup.

Tips for Avoiding This Mistake:

• Pick one command per action and stick to it, no matter what. “Sit” is the word—just sit.
• Everyone in your household? Get them on board. If I’m the only one saying “sit,” and my partner is yelling “down,” no wonder Buddy’s confused.
• Be patient. Repeat it until your dog gets it. Buddy didn’t learn “sit” overnight—I’ve got the grey hairs to prove it.

2. Forgetting to Use Positive Reinforcement

Okay, confession time: At one point, I thought Buddy would just “get” it. Like, if I told him to do something and he didn’t, I assumed he was being lazy or rebellious. No. Dogs don’t work that way. I had to reward him for the right behavior. Treats? Heck yes. Praise? All over it.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

I learned that rewards are, like, the key to the kingdom. Buddy’s not gonna stop chewing my shoes if I yell at him. But if I toss him a treat when he’s chewing on his toy instead? Suddenly, he’s a professional toy chewer.

How to Use Positive Reinforcement:

• Immediate reward is the trick. As soon as Buddy sits (without gnawing on my shoes, thank you very much), he gets a treat.
• Some dogs love praise more than treats. For Buddy, a “good boy” gets him wagging more than any treat I can offer.
• Be consistent. If you reward once and ignore the next time, Buddy will be like, “What, no treat this time?” And he won’t get the hint.

3. Neglecting Socialization

I learned this the hard way, too. Buddy used to hide behind me when we’d walk past other dogs. I thought it was just him being shy. Nope. That’s what you call a “lack of socialization,” folks. And it can lead to real problems like aggression or anxiety around new situations.

Socializing is Key to a Happy Dog

It’s like this: imagine being thrown into a room full of strangers, and no one talks to you. For dogs, it’s the same. Without exposure to different people, dogs, and environments, they can develop fears and stress.

How to Fix It:

• Take Buddy to different parks, even if it’s just for a short stroll. Watch him interact with other dogs and people.
• Don’t just expose them once and think it’s all done. Keep it up, even if it feels awkward at first (for both you and your dog).
• I’m not saying Buddy will love every dog he meets, but getting him comfortable with the idea made a huge difference.

4. Using Harsh Training Techniques

Ah, the “tough love” approach. Look, I get it. In the beginning, I was this close to grabbing a shock collar when Buddy ignored me. I know. Rookie mistake. It’s easy to think that dogs only respond to force or discipline, but that’s totally not true. Spoiler: They respond to trust, not fear.

Why Harsh Techniques Don’t Work

Dogs are like people in the sense that if you’re mean to them, they won’t want to listen. And trust me, Buddy’s got a sixth sense for detecting when I’m frustrated. If I yelled or yanked him around, he’d shut down. Training was over.

How to Avoid the “Tough Love” Trap:

• Positive reinforcement, remember? No yelling, no tugging. Redirect instead of punish.
• It took a lot for me to stop myself from yelling “NO!” every time Buddy did something wrong. But trust me, it works. It’s less “you’re bad” and more “here’s what’s good.”
• Consult a professional if you’re really struggling. It’s okay to ask for help. I did, and it saved me from throwing my hands up.

5. Expecting Results Too Quickly

Alright, so here’s the thing—dogs don’t get it in an hour. They don’t even get it in a day. Heck, sometimes they don’t even get it in a week. At first, I kept expecting Buddy to learn everything at lightning speed, but surprise, surprise, it took time. And patience. And more time.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait (and Train Consistently)

Buddy didn’t learn “sit” the first time I said it. Or the second. Or… well, you get it. I had to break down the training into small, bite-sized pieces.

How to Make Progress (and Keep Your Sanity):

• Start slow, especially with complex commands. Teach Buddy “sit,” then move on to “stay,” and so on.
• Take breaks when you’re both frustrated. I learned the hard way that sometimes Buddy needs a nap as much as I do.
• Reward small victories. Buddy learned how to sit without looking at me like I had three heads—and I felt like I won the lottery.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: Dog training isn’t easy. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. But if you avoid these five common mistakes, you’ll make your training journey a whole lot smoother—and trust me, Buddy (and your shoes) will thank you. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all method. Training requires time, patience, and a whole lot of love.