DOG Training TOYS

THE STAGES OF LEARNING

In my 20-plus years of training, I have found that there are four stages of learning:

1. Acquisition
2. Automation
3. Generalization
4. Maintenance

Stage 1: Acquisition

During the acquisition stage of training, the dog learns through shap-ing and reinforcement that a specific new behavior is rewarding. She will then choose to engage in that behavior again and again so she can continue to receive the rewards she likes
For example, the dog is introduced to the “sit” command by being silently lured with food into the sit position. To do this, you hide a small piece of food in your fist, bring it in front of the dog’s nose and then slowly over the dog’s muzzle and top of her head. Your hand is usually no more than three to four inches from the dog. Most dogs will lift their heads up to follow your hand and sit as your hand moves backwards over their head and out of their sight. Once the dog is in the sitting position, you say “sit” once. Then you immediately mark or sig¬nal to the dog that this sit behavior was good by saying “good” and popping a treat into the dog’s mouth for completing the sit. If you do this correctly, your dog will learn to associate the command “sit” withhe behavior of sitting. Also, and very critically, the dog will learn that sitting is a behavior that is rewarding for her to engage in.

Criteria for moving to the next stage of training

When the dog learns to anticipate the action (that is, she sits) before you can complete the food-lure motion, you are ready to move to the automation stage of training.
The dog should anticipate the action approximately 90 percent of the time before moving to the next stage of training.

Stage 2: Automation

The dog learns to…