How Dogs Learn - The 4 Phases of Canine Learning

The 4 phases of canine learning hold so much value in identifying where you are with your training goals.

The 4 phases include:

1. Acquisition phase - where the dog learns the behavior.
2. Fluency phase - where speed and accuracy are increased. It has become second nature.
3. Generalization phase - where the dog learns how to complete the behavior in other environments. Here you work on the duration, distance, and distraction to proof(master) the command. The dog learns that the behavior applies in all environments and settings. 
4. Maintenance phase - touching up behaviors as needed. Making sure they don’t forget it.

We often have clients get to the generalization phase of learning and then give up. They see that their dog can complete the behaviors in numerous environments. They then go home and do not practice these behaviors until they are needed. Which leads to the behaviors either being inaccurate or the dog slow to listen. It is not that the dog is failing to understand but it is that they haven't been practicing these behaviors. Just as if someone asked you how to do algebra but you haven't been in school for 10 years. My point is your dog needs to practice behaviors in the maintenance phase even if you have “completed” training. 

Example:

1. Acquisition phase - dog learns how to “down”.
2. Fluency phase - dog learns how to “down” faster and more efficiently with practice.
3. Generalization phase - dog learns how to “down” on a mat, at the park, from 2 feet away, with just a visual cue, etc.
4. Maintenance phase - dog practices “down” before meals or in a training session once a month to maintain the behavior.