3 Tips for Staying Consistent with Your Dog’s Training When You Have ADHD

Oct 28

You may have heard the phrase consistency is key a time or two in your life. A dog trainer may have even told you that to see results with your dog you have to be consistent with their training plan.

Consistency is important and it does help to get you results.

Now, if you also have ADHD like us, staying consistent can be really really really hard!

This is what brought us together and made us want to start this business centered around dog training for neurodivergent dog guardians.

Over the years we have tried and failed (A LOT) at keeping consistent training routines because we were trying so hard to work against our brains instead of WITH our brains.

So, if you’re stuck in that constant loop of saying you will stick to a new training routine and then very quickly falling right out we want to help you!

Here are some tips and tricks we have found to be really helpful for helping us stay semi-consistent (we’re not looking for perfection) with our training routines for our dogs.

Habit Stacking!

Habit stacking is a popular productivity and behavior change technique that involves integrating new habits into your existing routines or habits. The concept was popularized by author James Clear in his book "Atomic Habits."

The idea behind habit stacking is to make it easier to adopt new habits by linking them to actions or routines you already do consistently.

Habit stacking isn't just for personal development; it can be a game-changer in the world of dog training. Here are some ways you can start habit stacking:

Identify an existing habit or routine
- making coffee
- walking your dog
- cuddling on the couch watching tv

Choose a new habit (or dog training skill) to pair with it
- mat training with your dog
- capturing eye contact
- muzzle training
Create a specific "stacking" statement
- while my coffee brews I will practice my dog’s mat training with the kitchen mat
- while I’m walking my dog I will bring my treat pouch and capture eye contact from my dog
- while hanging out on the couch watching tv I will practice my dog’s muzzle training

Emphasize the importance of consistency in following the habit stack

Visual Cues!

You know the phrase out of sight out of mind? Yeah, that’s a huge part of the struggle of having ADHD and keeping a consistent routine. What we like to do is set up visual cues around our houses as reminders to train! Some examples are…

Treat jar by the coffee pot to do a quick training session while your coffee brews
Clear bin with grooming tools for cooperative care training
Treat pouch on a hook by the door to take on walks
Treat jar on your desk to capture calm moments while you work
Hang your dog’s muzzle up with their leash and harness

Body Doubling!

You might be wondering what even is body doubling.

In the article, The Body Double: A Unique Tool for Getting Things Done body doubling is defined as,

ADHD body doubling is a productivity strategy used by individuals with ADHD to finish possibly annoying jobs while having another person beside them. This person is the body double. The body double’s duty is to keep the individual with ADHD focused on the task at hand to reduce potential distractions.

Some ways that you can body double are…

FaceTime or call a friend and train your dog while you’re talking to them
Join a virtual (or in person if your dog can handle it) dog training group class
Work with a certified dog trainer
Ask your partner, roommate, trusted friend, or family member to sit in the room with you while you train

Lastly, having a support system, village, or community of like-minded people can help you feel less alone with these struggles.

We started our Confident Mutt Club for this very reason. To provide support, encouragement, and education for our fellow spicy-brained, neurodivergent dog guardians with their own spicy, big feelings, reactive dogs.

Join us if you want a safe space to share your struggles, wins, failures, and successes!

-Em Fitzpatrick, VSA-CDT & FFCT