“We Tried That and It Didn’t Work” – Why Sticking With Behaviour Programmes Matters

“We tried that and it didn’t work.” This is one of the most common phrases I hear when people get in touch for help with their dog’s behaviour. It’s rarely said with frustration or blame — more often it comes from exhaustion, worry, or the feeling that they’ve already let their dog down. 

When I gently ask a bit more about what was tried and for how long, a familiar pattern often appears. The programme was started, sometimes with great intentions and early enthusiasm, but it was only followed for a few days or a couple of weeks. Life got busy, walks became stressful again, or progress felt too slow to notice.  

That’s completely understandable.  

Living with a dog who struggles — whether that’s pulling on the lead, reacting to other dogs, or finding the world overwhelming — can be emotionally draining. It’s human nature to want things to improve quickly. But behaviour change doesn’t work to tight deadlines or quick-fix solutions.  

A helpful rule of thumb I often share is this: How long has your dog been behaving like this? Then anticipate it taking at least that long to create real, lasting change. 

For example, loose lead walking is a common one. If a dog has spent a year pulling towards interesting smells, people or other dogs, that pulling has been heavily practised and rewarded. Trying a new technique for a week, then deciding it “doesn’t work”, doesn’t give your dog enough time to learn that walking calmly is now the best option. They need repetition, consistency and clear feedback — over time. 

The same applies to reactive dogs. If your dog has been barking and lunging at other dogs for months or years, they’re not being “naughty” — they’re responding to emotions like fear, frustration or over-excitement. Reactivity strategies focus on changing how your dog feels about what they see, not just stopping the behaviour in the moment. That emotional change takes time, careful management and consistency.  

This doesn’t mean nothing happens for ages. In fact, we often see early signs of progress — shorter reactions, quicker recovery, or the ability to notice another dog and cope a little better than before. These small wins are incredibly important. They show the process is working, even if the end goal still feels a way off. 

Sometimes things improve faster than expected, which is always a bonus — but managing expectations protects both you and your dog from unnecessary pressure. Stopping and starting programmes can actually make things harder. Dogs thrive on predictability, and inconsistency can be confusing, especially for dogs already struggling to cope. From their perspective, the rules keep changing.  

Behaviour change is also rarely a straight line. There will be good days and tougher ones. Setbacks don’t mean failure — they’re part of learning. If you’re feeling stuck or worried that “nothing works”, you’re not alone. With the right plan, realistic timelines and ongoing support, change is possible. If you need help understanding your dog’s behaviour or sticking with a programme in real life, I’m here to help.