One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

"Silver" Photographed by Thomas Brown

     We are enthused to introduce our new puppy to the basics!  The first few days are a rush of new and exciting experiences for everyone involved.  How impressive that within the first few hours that tiny ball of fur can already "Sit" on command!  We see our new baby as perfect!

     Some of us can get pretty flustered when that same adorable furbaby seems unwilling to learn other concepts that we find pretty simple.  It is simple to us because we have had years to adapt to and learn from our society.  We speak the language and understand what is being asked of us.  Our body language is ideal for communicating with other HUMANS, and when we are frustrated we can often send mixed signals to our pups.  Training is about building a bridge of communication both ways.  If, as a handler we can learn how to better send our messages, teaching becomes more enjoyable for all involved.

     There are several reasons why periods of regression occur.

     As humans we are amused by novelty.  When the puppy has just come home, we are light of mood, and much better teachers!  It is very easy to forget that there are many things our new family member is adjusting to.  To expect perfect retention and recall of information from such a young doggie mind can yield mixed results unless you are limiting the amount of commands, and staying consistent.  The more relaxed a puppy becomes in a new environment, the more it may want to explore, thus it can be more easily distracted at times.  Frustration from a handler can be clearly understood by a puppy, and will make it less likely to respond.  Just because a puppy is larger (the most dramatic growth phase is within the first 6 months), does not mean it is not still a puppy!

     Dogs also grow through developmental stages.  As your puppy grows, it will discover that it can run faster, jump higher, and possibly bark or climb too.  Mentally, there is also progress made, and it is well known that dogs can be excellent problem solvers!  If hopping up and licking your face when given the command for "Sit" also earns attention, that new behavior can quickly replace the previously learned one!  Some breeds are more likely to test different behaviors (German Shepherds will normally try out barking as an alert/attention-getter around 4 months of age for example.), so if you are not sure what to expect, consult with your trainer or a Behaviorist.

     Humans tend to over-emphasize puberty and adolescence in canines, instead of recognizing that testing commands is only to be sure that they are fully understood.  If a different reaction is given from the handler, then the dog may consider the previous command as different, and discard the former behavior as no longer rewarding.  If the environment itself responds differently, your puppy may also learn to link unwanted behaviors to the stimulus present (for example, when other dogs are present, if you do not insist upon the "sit" command being followed and allow play time, the pup may learn to disregard your commands in the presence of other dogs).

"Riley" photographed by Thomas Brown

     Think back to when YOU were in school.  There are probably things you had to learn that you have difficulty recalling, and it is because these are the skills you no longer use in your daily life.  There are also behaviors that you have modified to suit your tastes, needs or desires (does anyone drive at exactly the speed limit all the time?).  Your dog will also learn to adapt.  Commands that you allow to "slide" will loose consistency.  If your training sessions are less frequent, or less rewarding, the behavior from your dog will be less reliable.

     One technique I use often with my own dogs, and my students, is to turn training into a game.  Most humans go through a mental shift when they are expecting to play a game (=expecting to have fun!).  This mood-lightener has an almost immediate effect on the dog!  With Grace, I play fetch to keep many skills current (run where I tell you to, sit, down, recall, front, hold the object, release the object, heel off leash, work accurately under distraction).

     One of my students was having troubles with walking her dog.  The dog was pulling forward constantly, and then barking and lunging at other dogs.  I showed her how I normally walked with dogs, not in a straight boring line, but I sometimes walk quickly, then very slowly, or stop!  I can even walk backwards unexpectedly!  I was sure to briefly verbally recognize the dog when it turned or slowed pace to stay even with me ("Good!").  When I re-introduced the walking exercises as a game- and she saw how fun and interactive it could be, we were able to have a great time, and even took a walk with my dog along as well.

*More tips and training bits to come! Keep checking back regularly to learn more!