The Training Steps
We will refer to the training steps as steps 1 through 4
Step One
- First, we have to get the behavior so we can reinforce it.
- This is the stage where the dog learns the behavior.
- There are several methods to get behavior.
- You will use the most appropriate for you and the dog considering the particular behavior they are learning. (Remember behaviors need to be age appropriate)
Step Two
- When the behavior is fluent – accurate, robust, reliable, and consistent – you will name it.
- The name may be a verbal name, a physical gesture, or a hand signal.
- The name is called a cue
- A cue is a request to perform, it is an ask; you do not command
Step Three
- You will now take the behavior on the road so that the pet can perform it in various settings.
- The more places you practice, the better and more reliable the pet’s response will be!
- In this stage, you may also introduce greater distance and/or duration to the behavior. You will also introduce more environmental ‘distractions,’ gradually raising the difficulty using the Train-Test-Train System.
Step Four
- This is the maintenance phase.
- Use it or lose it! The pet will need to continually practice their skills.
Tips
- We recommend different games to keep a dog’s new-found skills in tip-top condition.
- We advise that you keep all your training sessions short and fun – Stop on a high note before fatigue or boredom kicks in!
- We also advise that you build all newly taught skills into the pet’s daily life.
- Make good use of it as you taught it for a reason!