Training is over … now what?

I often work with dog guardians who have done a series of training sessions, either privately or in a group setting.

They say things to me like:

"He used to do this."

"She knows this but won’t do it without treats."

"She only does this for the trainer!"

Why does this happen, and how can you keep those hard-won good manners fresh after your private sessions or classes are over?

Without regular use, your dog’s behaviors get rusty

Your dog is always learning. She’s learning both things you want her to (“When I walk near my person on a leash I get a treat!”) and also things you don’t want her to (“When I jump on someone, I get attention!”)

You probably spent a considerable amount of time and money to train your dog. What I most often find when I talk to people is that certain behaviors may have been better learned by the dog than others, and/or that once classes are over people think "Well, that’s over. She’s trained!" But classes or private sessions ending is just the start of lifelong good manners for your dog.

It’s worth noting that different dogs, even of the same breed or from the same litter, can have different learning abilities. So, if your previous poodle picked up new manners quickly and “stayed trained,” that’s no guarantee your current poodle will.

Dogs learn new behaviors the same way we learn a musical instrument.

Training is a combination of knocking out repetitions and a bit of muscle memory as well.

(If you’ve worked with a trainer on fearful and aggressive behaviors, that type of training is different and relies on the science of desensitization and counter conditioning rather than sheer repetitions).

I know just five chords on my ukulele but only pick it up to practice once in a blue moon, so I’m usually pretty rusty. I don’t remember what the chords are, have to get out my cheat sheets, and my strumming is stiff and awkward. I don’t have calluses on my fingertips, so even playing those five chords is rough.

On the other hand, if I were to pick it up 2 - 3 times a week for just five minutes and strum the few chords I know, I know I’d remain much more fluid in my ability to play. I’d also build those calluses that make playing easier.

The solution: Super-short training sessions with treats and real-world rewards, sprinkled into everyday life

I suggest you practice the two or three skills that are the most important in your life with your dog. This could be polite greetings, resting quietly on her mat, or leave-its. Aim for very short sessions (five minutes max) two or three times a week.

Here are ways my clients integrate hard-learned good manners, and manners refreshers, into daily life:

• Ask for a sit (with an additional "Wait," if your dog knows it) before putting down your dog’s bowl, putting on a leash/harness, or exiting the car. The reward is dinner, a walk, or exploring — no treat needed.

• Ask for hand touches at random times during walks. If your dog doesn’t “hear” you, she’s distracted by the environment. Move closer and ask again. Give your dog a small, yummy treat.

• On leashed walks, reward your dog for attention to you (looking at you) with a cheery “Yes!” and a treat.

• Have stashes of non-perishable treats around the house where you normally work or sit (ensure your dog can’t reach them), and do random training sessions for 60 seconds. Puppy push-ups are great: ask your dog for a sit, a down, then back into a sit.

• Ask for a sit at the door and the reward is going outside.

• At mealtimes, ask your dog to go to her “Place” (bed or mat) while you prepare their meal or while you get their stuffed food toy out of the freezer. The reward is the food.

• If you feed your dog kibble from a bowl use that ration instead and ask for sits, hand touches, or leave-its: whatever your dog needs the most practice with.

• We tend to be focused on unwanted behavior. Notice and quietly praise your dog when you see her engaging in behavior you want her to do. Why "quietly praise?" If your dog, for instance, is resting nicely in her crate with a chew toy your exuberant praise will likely rev her up and have her exit the crate to come see what all the ruckus is about.

All of these exercises have the bonus of keeping your dog interested in what you’re doing — an impromptu training session can happen at any time.

Never stop practicing recall

If you’ve learned a new recall with a unique word, I suggest you add that to your training mix once on every off-leash walk. 

Bring super-fantastic treats and mix up the rewards - sometimes hot dogs, another time meatballs, sometimes deli roast beef — always something super special for this exercise, given generously when your dog returns to you.

My top pro training tips

• Use a treat pouch for fast and efficient training.

• Always say your verbal cue just once. If your dog doesn’t respond, it’s possible that the distraction level is too high or the behavior is too complex for your dog. Gently say "Too Bad!” and try again at an easier level.

• Sometimes, do impromptu training without the pouch because pouches predict treats. We want the desired behavior to predict treats. Dogs are smart at figuring out the difference.

• Keep on with the Happy Talk, which predicts Very Good Things for your dog.

• Hold your reward hand behind your back to keep your dog’s focus on you.

Randomize, differentiate, and jackpot

• Have several varieties of treats in your pouch. Randomizing rewards like your dog’s kibble and special items like freeze-dried chicken or dog jerky will help keep your dog’s interest. 

• When your dog gives a fast, snappy response, give her a jackpot of lots and lots of treats! Say “Jackpot!” to make it fun.

• If your dog responds slowly or takes his time to respond, give praise only but no food reward.

• Start to deliver rewards randomly as your dog gains expertise in new behaviors. For instance, if your dog looks at you constantly during a loose leash walk (which is great!), reward her for that randomly, not every time she looks at you.

Your trainer should have provided you with complete, written or video training plans after your work together.  If your dog’s behavior really takes a nosedive dig out your training plans, go back to step 1, and buff up those skills.