Top 5 Dog Training Mistakes Vancouver Owners Make — and How to Fix Them

At Hustle Up Dog Training, we’ve worked with hundreds of dogs across Vancouver — from high-energy herders to anxious rescues and everything in between. Over the years, we’ve noticed that most dog owners, even the well-intentioned ones, tend to make the same few mistakes. The good news? These are fixable.

Here are the top 5 dog training mistakes we see, and exactly what you can do to turn things around.

This is what treat training and loving a dog to death looks like. The happy thoughts of enjoying the perfect dog is destroyed. You put in your best effort. Unfortunately Social media and treat trainers pursued you to do silly things which can end up being a death sentence for the dog. Hustle Up is here to help you get on the right track and stay on the right track!

1. Inconsistency in Commands

The mistake: One day it’s “Down,” the next it’s “Lay down,” or “Off.” Dogs aren’t mind readers — if you change the cue, they don’t know it means the same thing.

Fix it: Pick one word per behaviour and stick with it. Write your cues down if needed. Consistency builds clarity, and clarity builds confidence in your dog.

2. Reinforcing Bad Behaviour Without Realizing

The mistake: Giving attention, treats, or affection when your dog is jumping up, barking, or being pushy.

Fix it: Ask yourself, “Am I rewarding what I want right now?” Reward calm, focused behaviour — even if it’s just your dog lying quietly at your feet. That’s what we reinforce in every Hustle Up session.

3. Relying Too Much on Treats

The mistake: Your dog only listens when you have food in hand. That’s not training — that’s bribery.

Fix it: We focus on relationship-based training, not just food-based luring. Treats are useful in early stages, but the goal is a dog who listens because they trust you — not because you’re holding a liver snap.

4. Skipping the Mental Workouts

The mistake: Dogs are walked daily, but their minds are left bored. Boredom = destruction, barking, anxiety, and zoomies at 11PM.

Fix it: Mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, sniff walks, and short training games keep your dog balanced. (We teach this in all our custom programs.)

5. Waiting Too Long to Get Help Dog Training

The mistake: Hoping your dog will “grow out of it” — they usually don’t. Behaviour problems solidify over time.

Fix it: The earlier you start, the faster we can help. Even one session can shift your dog’s behaviour and your confidence as their leader.

Ready to Break Old Habits?

If you see yourself in any of these, you’re not alone — and we’ve got your back. Our trainers at Hustle Up Dog Training specialize in transforming relationships between people and their dogs across Vancouver.

Let’s build better habits, together. Book a consultation today!

Brad Pattison, Dog Trainer Vancouver, demonstrating essential Search and Rescue techniques during a dog training workshop to prepare dogs for earthquake emergencies.

🐾 About the Author – Brad Pattison

Brad Pattison is a world-renowned dog behaviourist, professional dog trainer, and puppy training expert with over 30 years of hands-on experience transforming the lives of dogs and their humans.

He is the author of four published books on dog training, including the national best-seller Brad Pattison UNLEASHED, and is widely recognized for his no-nonsense, results-driven training methods based on communication—not treats.

Brad became a household name as the host of the hit TV series At the End of My Leash, Puppy SOS, and The Angel Network. His mission has taken him around the world—from disaster zone rescues to training elite dog professionals through the Hustle Up Dog Trainer Academy.

Ready to train with a real expert? Follow us on Instagram @hustleupdogs and Facebook: Hustle Up Dog Training

📩 Questions? Comments? Reach out anytime: info@hustleupdogtraining.ca