When Is Training Finished?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Karen shared the top training mistakes, and we thought there would be value in expanding them each into a discussion.  Here's the first one....

1. You don’t train your dog often enough

Most of us do teach basic behaviours and routines to our new dogs. But once the relationship stabilizes, we often allow our dogs to go on “auto-pilot.” Consequently, response times for important behaviours can worsen; often a dog won’t even respond. This degradation is simply a function of a lack of practice; if you play golf only once a year, you’re going to stink at it, right?

Instead of “training then forgetting,” keep your dog’s established behaviours sharp by working them randomly and regularly, several times each day. “Sit” for dinner, “wait” at doors, “down” at the dog park; be spontaneous and unpredictable. Then, each month, teach a new behaviour—a trick will do—to keep your dog’s mind and motivation up. The larger your pet’s repertoire of behaviours, the smarter he or she gets, and the more important you become.

So here's the question....how often do you train, and at what point would you consider your training to be finished?

Speaking for myself, I'm not sure I'd ever consider G & M "fully trained".  I think there will always be things for them to learn....and they need that.  It's just a part of our life now.  I know that my kids keep asking when we're going to stop using our trainer and why it's "taking so long".  It would be silly to think that people stop learning....I hope that I continue to learn and grow, so why shouldn't the dogs?  What are your thoughts?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree, Laura.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have been lax in working with JD on a continuing basis. I use the excuses of bad weather, or his health issues, but we could practice some things indoors or at the Petsmart, and his health issues don't prevent us from taking walks so they shouldn't prevent us from training, lol. 

I have not thought about teaching him new things, and that's a great idea for us. This will be our goal for the summer, along with brushing up on old things, lol. 

I think training a dog is equivalent to sending a child to school. When is your child's education "finished"? When he graduates college? Maybe...but even then, depending on his profession, he's still learning new things in his field, perhaps taking continuing ed courses, etc. 

I did have a 5 year old GSD foster who had been through K9 and Schutzhund training but was released because of health issues, and I do think you could have said that Kato's training was "finished". But I don't expect to personally ever meet another dog like that one. He should have worn a cape instead of a collar, lol. 

[Laura Deutsch]

I am in agreement with Jane on all of that stuff she just said. However, I do not feel that my dogs need to be off leash....that is my paranoia, and also, I live in an area where dogs have to be leashed...too urban. But, all the other stuff......that is a goal both my husband and I want to reach with Molly and with continued work, and, hopefully, the help of Ben, who was just voted the best dog trainer in the Hartford area, we will work toward that goal. We have yet to connect. I'll certainly keep you all posted.

[Kyoko]

I agree about training the dog is like sending a child to school... At former obedience school, I assisted in basic and CGC classes. At the end of the basic classes, we always recommended CGC, but depend on the family, temperament of the dogs and what they look for in dogs, some people declined CGC stating " He is just a pet, so basic obedience is all we want." Just like high school diploma is all what is expected and family is happy with it. And for some dogs, that may be just sufficient... no major problem, no major behavioral issues, just wanting the dog to know sit, down, come when called, etc...Butter was like that.  I moved on to CGC, and doing Rally with Charlie not because of the title, but because of her behavioral issues and reactiveness. To address her reactiveness was to have her follow my directives at all time and be able to ignore stimuli that causes her to be reactive.... We ended up with ribbons and titles, but I was soo thrilled to know that she can do this in the place with bunch of people and dogs around it...so the title became sort of a bench mark for me.  like, OK, she can do this now. well if we raise the hurdle, can she do this? And because of her reactiveness, being able to follow my directives in unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people and dogs were big and important to me. Off course we are still working about her reactiveness... this is going to be her thing forever, it seems. Also I think training is like life long in a sense. You may not need to tech your dog "sit" any more, but different level daily learning... like "sit" when the door opens or something, expanding from the basic knowledge.... I also think that everyday thing is a training... I don't think that  you have to have a set time aside to do formal training sessions.... It has been kind of difficult with two dogs now, but I take portion of their food and use for training, as " eat and learn". I sometime do extended eye contact game while I am waiting for something to be done in the microwave...LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kyoko, I love this post! This is a wonderful example of how a "problem" behavior can lead to great things for you and your dog. 

[Kyoko]

Ahhhhh, thank you Karen. Making me blush.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Ditto....you're doing such an amazing job with Charlie!  I have so much respect for you everything you've done to turn her behavioral issues around.  You truly are a great example for all of us.

[Kyoko]

Thank you.. She is still who she is, though. LOL. When she wants to be a you know what, she would tilt her head and looks at you from the corner of her eyes and bark!! I am just thankful that she is learning to play and actually have someone to play with.... Pinot Grigio is so mellow and is a heaven sent for her...Jane, I cant wait for the day when she can be totally reliable around ALL humans.... at times she can look pretty nasty!

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Many years ago (I'm retired now) when I taught obedience classes I found the biggest hurdle was to get past the dog owners feeling overwhelmed with how much time this was going to take them every day training their dog.  I told them " just work your dog 5 MINUTES several times a day".  What happened was I could see the dog owners shoulders relax a little and they got a "I can do that" look on their faces.  In reality the 5 minute sessions would be extended because they were having fun.

We all live busy lives.  Bring the training into your everyday activities.  Let them work for their food.  My favorite with Hershey is to leave (stay) her in a room in the house, go to another room and hide behind the door or furniture and call her.  We all know our Doodles hate to be left behind, they are so proud when they find you, reward them with a treat or lots of hugs and praise. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great advice!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We just started Meg with her trainer so I am late coming into the training forum and I can see I should have been reading more all along.  I am a beginner with a trainer so no authority to what I have to say but found this topic interesting because of what the trainer said to us.  His words, "a lot of people think they are done after they get all the good manners trained, but the truth is your dog can learn for her entire life and will enjoy the time spent with you doing it, there is always something else they can learn to do".  I am going to work hard at remembering that.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I completely agree with this!  Thanks for posting it.