Sharon P.
Patience and repetition are key.
My dog is very young so I thought training would be easy. My furbaby has to practice each command for a month or more before he will perform without a treat. We move on to the next step when he seems to understand the command,but we keep practicing the previous lessons every day. Some days he gets more treats than actual food, as every occasion is treated as a practice. Even though there are concentrated training sessions daily.
Response from WoofzMar 18, 2026
Hello Sharon, Thank you for sharing this, you’re actually doing a great job. What you’re experiencing is completely normal, especially with a young dog. Puppies often need consistent repetition over time before a command really “sticks,” and relying on treats at the beginning is part of the learning process. One small tip: you can start to gradually reduce treats once your dog understands a command; for example, reward every second or third correct response instead of every time, while still using praise and enthusiasm. It’s also great that you’re continuing to practice previous lessons daily - that’s exactly how strong, lasting habits are built. You’re on the right track, and your consistency will absolutely pay off! 🐾