FURRY TAIL DOG TRAINING-PUPPY/DOG GROUP AND PRIVATE TRAINING

my doggy blog

  • Home
  • Dog Training Classes
    • Group Classes
    • Private Lessons at the Park
    • In-Home Private Lessons
  • Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
  • Pet First Aid & CPR
  • About Furry Tail Dog Training
    • About the Trainer
    • Photos >
      • Class Photos
      • Furry Tail Graduates
    • References and Reviews
    • Wildomar Rap: Better Know A Local Business: Furry Tail Dog Training
  • Contact Us
  • Furry ReTail Store
  • My Doggy Blog

11/8/2018

Understanding the Stages of learning

1 Comment

Read Now
 
Picture

First Stage:  Acquisition

The acquisition stage is the first step that needs to be taken.  A dog in this stage is learning through shaping and reinforcements that a new behavior is rewarding.  The dog will then choose to repeat that behavior again to get more rewards. 
An example is when introducing the Down cue silently by using food to lure the dog into the down position.  When the dog is in the down position, you immediately mark the wanted behavior and give the dog his reward.
You are ready to move to the next stage (automation) when the dog anticipates the action and completes the down before you complete the lure.  

Second Stage:  Automation

In the automation stage, the dog learns to automatically give a specific behavior without being lured.
An example would be to say "down" before you start to lure your dog into position.  The dog will learn to anticipate that the word "down" is followed by the lure and start to go down when he hears "down".  
When the dog responds to the cue correctly 90% of the time, you are ready to move forward to the next stage.

Third Stage:  Generalization

The generalization stage is when the dog learns that the response should be the same if the cue is given in a different way, by a different person, or in a different environment.
When the dog has a 90% success rate for Down in the family room, with his traditional trainer,  it is a good time to generalize the behavior so that he doesn't only respond to specific circumstances.   
When the dog responds to the cue correctly 90% of the time in a variety of situations, you are ready to move forward to the maintenance stage.

Fourth Stage:  Maintenance

When your dog reaches the maintenance stage, you feel confident that he has complete understanding of the request.  To maintain behaviors, it is sometimes required to go back to the beginning when the dog makes a mistake.  This means to go back a few steps and make it easier for the dog.  This will give you the chance to reinforce the correct response before it deteriorates further.  
An example of maintenance is when your dog has been successful with his down stays for weeks.  But when your friend comes to visit, your dog breaks his stay and runs and jumps on your friend.  You will need to go back to the basics and build a stronger foundation.

Share

1 Comment
Hailey Miller link
3/12/2022 12:07:25 am

It got me when you said that going back a few steps can help the dog remember and understand a request to maintain behaviors. My partner and I want our two Belgian dogs to learn basic obedience. We will look for experts tomorrow morning who can provide advanced dog obedience training within one month.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Details

    Holly S.

    Owner and trainer for Furry Tail Dog Training.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    #98662
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Holly Stephens
    Furry ReTail Store

    Archives

    July 2022
    May 2022
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017

    Categories

    All
    Dog Parks

    RSS Feed

    Currently Reading:

    Picture

    Books I've read:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Furry Tail Dog Training is Licensed and Insured
Copyright ©2022 Furry Tail Dog Training
  • Home
  • Dog Training Classes
    • Group Classes
    • Private Lessons at the Park
    • In-Home Private Lessons
  • Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
  • Pet First Aid & CPR
  • About Furry Tail Dog Training
    • About the Trainer
    • Photos >
      • Class Photos
      • Furry Tail Graduates
    • References and Reviews
    • Wildomar Rap: Better Know A Local Business: Furry Tail Dog Training
  • Contact Us
  • Furry ReTail Store
  • My Doggy Blog