How fast should you expect progress with your dog?

Have you ever felt stuck in your training progress? Do you have a hard time seeing progress? Are you still not closer to your training goals with your dog? 
Makes you mad, right?
Makes me mad too! 
But here are a few things to keep in consideration:

• How long have you been working on the issue? Have you only had two training sessions so far? Have you done your due diligence in practicing with your dog?
• What are your dog’s learning capabilities and motivation to work? Fearful dogs need to overcome their fear first before their brain is ready to take on new information. Does the reward you offer your dog excite them and make them want more of that?
• How long have you allowed your dog to engage in the behavior you are now trying to change? Just like people, dogs will resist change once they become accustomed to a certain behavior. Working through this takes time.
• Does your dog have a proper foundation for learning? You need to build a foundation before you can tackle the more challenging issues. Like a house, you cannot build on a weak foundation. 
• Are you able to do the work consistently? 

So, the next time you are feeling frustrated about not making the progress that you have set your mind on, think about these five points because it all starts with you.