Four phases of training
There are many different training methods used today. Why is that? Clearly consider that not all dogs learn the same, there are different dogs, different personalities and different abilities and interpretations. What works for one dog doesn’t mean it will work with another.
What they all have in common is the foundation of each technique. This method has been used for decades to train people, dolphins, chimpanzees and dogs. It is a method used to shape and modify behaviors and is known as Classical Conditioning. Whether you use a cookie, clicker, or choker collar, it is associated with a learning a pattern of events. Each training method has a positive and negative quality; you need to find the one that works for your specific dog.
1. Learning Phase: This is when you begin teaching your dog the association between a command and an action. It is important to be considerate during this stage remembering that dogs need to be taught the English language. It is not acquired at birth and corrections should never be made for not understanding. Let’s take our example of Pavilions Law. You may remember, the bell rings the dogs immediately get fed, the bell rings, the dogs immediately get fed, the bell rings, the dogs immediately get fed, the bell rings, the dogs begin to salivate because the next event is to be fed. How effective would this have been if the bell rang and it was two hours later before they were fed, the bell rings and it was twenty minutes and they were fed, the bell rings and its six hours and they were fed. Where is the relation to that? Fairness and consistency teaches a dog. All things are built on repeating patterns of events. This happens, then this happens, then this happens every single time.
2. Correction Phase: Before entering this phase, it is very important that you are 100% certain that the dog understands what you want of them. This is where the dog begins to learn discipline and structure. Structure is a necessity for dogs, lack of structure causes stress and pressure leading to other behavior issues. This also establishes rank and is done in a humane way. Loudness and cruelty to the dog teaches them that you are not a fair leader and begins to deteriorate the bond and relationship you have with the dog. One of the largest mistakes in training is that we move to fast through the learning phase. People do not give the dog the time to comprehend as we just want them to learn it. It is said that people learn in 7 repetitions verses dogs taking 30.
Pay attention to your training pattern. Here is where you set rules, it is best to train single command - single response. Typically this is where the dog learns multiple commands, sit, sit, sit, Sit, Sit, SIT. Following this pattern teaches your dog they don’t have to listen to you upon the first request and then to only listen when we get frustrated and begin to scream at the dog. The dog sits and yawns at you and you turn into Dr. Jeckle then Mr. Hyde.
3. Distraction Phase: At this point of training your dog understands your request. It follows a pattern of sequences and now is when we add distractions and new environments. You teach the dog that obedience happens at any point regardless of what is happening. Sit means sit, even if someone comes to the door. It is unfortunate that a large majority of training begins here with group classes. Imagine starting a new job and taking home manuals and reports that you have to study to understand what is required of you for your performance. Now you sit in the middle of screaming kids, a blaring radio or TV, dinner is cooking, and the phone is ringing. How can you concentrate when all of this is going on? Now let’s add frustration because your boss thinks your taking too long to learn and his tone of voice changes, he becomes hostile and angry. Consider how you would feel? Now consider why the dog does not respond.
4. Maintenance Phase. At this point obedience is like brushing your teeth, it just is, and it is based on life rewards. To get to this level we teach the dog to live in world of tit for tat, nothing in life is free. I get, you receive petting, playing, and eating.
Putting the it all together
This information may be similar to putting together a puzzle without using the picture on the box. With patience, love and compassion each piece of the puzzle will come together.
In review, when bringing home a new dog, you can be assured that there will be an adjustment period. Be patient, don’t over load the dog by inviting all of your friends and family over, give them quiet time to adjust. This can be stressful and confusing for both the family and the dog, bringing about behaviors, such as, barking, nipping, chewing or digging.
If naughty behavior presents itself, be fair and consistent with your training. Keep in mind, instincts are not trainable. Recognize and acknowledge that the behavior exist, (don’t ignore it, it won’t go away) and then create a learned behavior around it. We do this by first evaluating the dog by combining breed traits and the drive to give a base line of the personality. The insight gained will tell us how best to communicate on a value system. If it seems to be breed specific then it may indicate an instinct. Recognizing this can ease our tension and should lead you to a training plan. The training plan is establish on fairness and consistency of the four phases.
Take into consideration your life style, the dogs health, are they getting the stimulation mental and physically? A lack in these areas can cause stress and boredom leading to behaviors that can be considered a nuisance.
Dogs are wonderful in so many ways and their ability to be molded is worth the effort. Remember to train in normal tones, don’t repeat yourself, and teach through fairness and through consistency. Set the foundation for a happy home, as this contributes to your dog’s emotional, physiological and mental health, and make this the commitment to your dogs for life.
See basic training commands