How Dogs Learn

Dogs can learn and UN-learn any behavior in four properly conducted repetitions. Taken to its extreme, these four repetitions should be performed in four different places with four different but similar situations.

* EXAMPLE The first time your dog hears a new command, he probably has no idea what is being requested. The second time he hears that command, he begins to comprehend. The third time, he fully understands, but dogs being dogs, he is going to resist the new command. This hesitation is called a learning plateau.

* Learning plateaus require a few moments to sort and file information, not unlike your computer. I get easily frustrated with these computers, because unlike humans and animals, I expect a command to be followed immediately. Even at the speed of light, commands need to be sorted out to go to memory. Just like when your computer asks, "do you really want to delete this file," your dog does the same. This happens usually on the third request, or instance, of trying to teach or break a behavior.

* So, when your dog thinks about the new behavior being learned or unlearned, praise (non-physical praise) and patience, are required during the few moments it takes to correctly file this new information. However, once again, although your dog may fully understand what you are trying to accomplish now that you've demonstrated this behavior three times, means he's going to try to go against your desire! His job is to oppose you. He needs to think things out during the third request. This moment requires praise, regardless of what the dog is thinking.

* * He's going to ponder the idea, then glance at you. Back to the idea, now thinking of you. Then think about the idea, then think about you. Follow his thinking, and re-enforce it with praise. Non physical praise only.

* You cannot second-guess what he might be thinking at this time. Presume nothing. Allow his choice to dictate your next move. Chances are, he's going to continue one last try at having his own way.

* * There are only two choices he can make. He's either going to do it correctly, for which you'll continue praise, and wait for the forthcoming opportunity to test him out, or, he's going to do it wrong, for which you'll continue to praise until you are sure he got it wrong, for which you'll perform the correct move to re enforce the desired behavior, while continuing to praise, non physical, of course.

* Using this system, you cannot go wrong. Simply praise whatever he might be thinking. This process of elimination gives us the opportunity to allow your dog to progress at his own speed. The third time your dog is given a command, he'll probably do it incorrectly just to see if you are going to be consistent. Once that has been done, the fourth occasion will completely " delete" or "open" the new "file." .