Stages of Training Defined
Dobie is taught a new behaviour which he has now associated with a command. A learned command means that Dobie will always perform the behaviour when it precedes a reward.
Generalized Command
Dobie performs the command without being asked in order to generate the production of a reward. A generalized command means that Dobie fully understands the desired behaviour and can apply it to get what he wants.
Proofed Command
Dobie demonstrates absolute obedience to the command in all situations. This is the end-goal level of learning for all commands. He is only ready for competition and trials when all his commands have been proofed.
Habit
Dobie subconsciously performs certain commands in certain situations due to repetition. Not all commands will become habitual behaviours.
Monthly Progress Reports
Learned: SIT, DOWN, PAW, HUP, COME, FOLLOW ME, OFF, AUS, GO POTTY, KENNEL UP, SHH BEDTIME
- working very hard on potty training, he still has accidents in his crate
By 4 Months
Learned: WAIT, LEAVE IT, DROP IT, BRING
Generalized: SIT, DOWN, PAW, HUP, COME, AUS
- playing fetch to practice BRING
- needs work on DROP IT (only drops the object when we hold his collar or if he smells a treat)
- still working on potty training, Dobie has chronic colitis from a food intolerance, cannot hold loose stools
By 5 Months
Learned: STAY (poor, only performs when calm), OUT, LET’S GO OUTSIDE, LET’S GO HOME
Generalized: BRING (he initiates play by bringing me a toy)
- extending WAIT, STAY (distance 10m, time 30s)
- finally resolved colitis problem, potty training breakthrough
By 6 Months
Learned: WHERE’S YOUR TOY?, WHERE’S YOUR BALL?, ICE TREAT!, LET’S WALK
Habit: SIT, DOWN (while waiting for me to prepare his food)
- STAY still needs a lot of work
- working on FOOS (he can keep pace with me and sit when I stop walking)
- practicing OUT and NO-BITE (when he tries to grab toy after OUT)
By 7 Months
Learned: BAD-DOG!
Habit: potty training, finally!
- Dobie started nipping a lot, hasn't ended after he finished teething
- everyday he'll have 1 episode of "zoomies" which sometimes turns to nipping and running, I catch him, NO-BITE, BAD-DOG, and crate
- started using crate as time-out for bad behaviour, haven't noticed ill effects, he still runs in for meals and treats and sleeps there
By 8 Months
Learned: NO, NO-BITE, OK!, LET'S WALK
- working on more difficult concepts now, using word NO, he is not allowed to play with the toy until I say so, can wave toy in front of him and he'll ignore it until I say OK
- still have zoomies and nipping problem, mostly worked on walking manners this month
- the NO with a toy training has helped with the nipping, learning some self-control and patience
By 9 Months
Learned: BACKYARD, LET'S PLAY, CAN I SEE?, FOOS, STAY
Habit: BRING (always brings me a toy or his treat to hold while he chews on it)
Proofed: potty training (he won't even potty in the backyard, stands at the gate to go "outside")
- still working on walking manners, seen great improvement, able to walk without pulling for most of the walk, still pulls when he wants to play with litter, I need to be one step ahead of him and say LEAVE-IT
- still working on self-control and patience, still nips but less often, his best behaviour is in the backyard
- in house behaviour still needs work, running away with laundry, if he obeys DROP-IT, he gets to keep playing with his toys, if he doesn't, in the crate he goes for a TIME-OUT
By 10 Months
Learned: STAY-CATCH game, ALL DONE, YOU GO PLAY, NO-PULLING, NO-HUP
- in house behaviour is still unacceptable, still running away with laundry, he is tethered to me in the house now, similar to when he was 3 months old
- rewarding good house behaviour with off-leash time
- definite improvement to zoomies and nipping, still needs NO-BITE correction sometimes
- learned NO-HUP, got yelled at badly for jumping on the patio table
- much better walker now, waits at the door for me to put his leash and collar on
- still working on OUT, doesn't OUT the first time I ask, swings his head and chews on it a bit more before relinquishing the toy, gets a stern NO when this happens and pause play
** The purpose of this page is to keep an up to date progress report on Dobie's training. This helps me to stay focused, see areas where he is struggling, commands which need more work and set realistic goals for next month.
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