Dogs Learn in Pictures

One of my mantras in dog training is “dogs learn in pictures.”

Dogs take a snapshot of what their environment looks like when they get rewarded for doing something. (The “reward” is anything the dog finds positive such as verbal praise, pets, treats, going outside, getting in the car, etc.)

Let’s consider three ways to use that idea to make your dog’s behavior better.

1. Always reward in position. 

In other words, if you tell your dog to lie down, you must give the reward while the dog is still in the down position. If I bend over to give a dog a treat for “down” and she sits up, I stand back up and do not give her the treat. I repeat the “down” and wait until she is “down” again before giving her the treat. 

Similarly, if a dog is learning “place” and I give him a treat after I say the release word, he thinks he’s getting the treat for getting off of place instead of being on place. I want to reward while the dog is in position on place. 

2. Change your dog’s location.

If we can agree that dogs take a snapshot of what their environment looks like when they get rewarded for doing something, then it makes sense why dogs have problems “remembering” their manners in a new place.

Dogs don’t generalize as well as humans do. Because of this, they need many pictures in many different environments before the dog finally says, “Ohhhhh! Sit means sit always!”

Even in the backyard. Even at the park. Even at the pet store.

Make a point to take training field trips outside of your normal location. It takes many repetitions in many new locations before your dog generalizes his good behavior. 

3. How do YOU look when your dog is rewarded?

For example, it’s very common to teach puppies to sit when they’re facing us. The puppy is facing me, I raise a treat above his head, he sits, and I give him the treat. There’s nothing wrong with this method. 

But since dogs learn in pictures, can you see why it’s so hard to teach a dog who is accustomed to that picture to sit in heel position on my left or right side?

Ideally, I’d like my dog to understand that “sit means sit” even if I’m facing away from the dog. Or far away. Or sitting on the couch. Or laying on the floor. (Oh yes. In fact, I did this laying on the floor challenge with my dog Wakey. It was pretty silly.)

Since dogs don’t generalize as well as humans do, you need to make a point to practice in many different positions. Don’t get upset if your dog doesn’t nail it right away. Remember, you’re teaching a new picture of sit.

Keep these three training tips in mind when you practice with your dog, and be ready to picture your success!