Dog training is a journey, underscored by significant transitions through distinct learning phases, each showcasing your dog’s growth and understanding.
Initially, in the Introduction and teaching phase, your dog doesn’t understand the expected behaviour. However, as they begin to recognise the task or command, they naturally transition into the Learning and Association phase. This shift becomes noticeable as your dog starts associating your command with the corresponding action, albeit inconsistently. For example, when you say “sit,” they might occasionally comply.
Gradually, your dog moves into the Refinement and Consistency stage, which is another crucial transition. Here, your dog’s understanding deepens, characterised by improved accuracy and more consistent responses. Now, when you say “sit,” they will more frequently and correctly respond to your command, indicating a clear grasp of the association between the command and the action.
Finally, the most rewarding transition occurs, leading your dog into the Proofing phase. At this point, your dog instinctively responds to your command, indicating that it has become second nature. When you say “sit,” they immediately and correctly respond, regardless of the environment or distractions, signalling a successful transition to mastery.
These transitions form the crux of dog training. Your patience, understanding, and consistent reinforcement will guide these transitions, facilitating your dog’s progression from one phase to the next. Recognising and appreciating these subtle shifts can significantly enhance your effectiveness as a trainer and deepen the bond with your dog.
And of course, we took a bee line into other territories of punishment and other topics that people avoid as it doesn’t appease their audience.
Have a look at an earlier episode we did, Episode 239: Incompatible behaviour & positive punishment
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