Conditions to Train Through

We are using the sit behavior to discuss the concept of generalization, discrimination, criteria and conditions as it applies to dog training.  Dogs can have their own funny ideas about what sit means - many dogs have the idea that sit only applies in front of the owner looking up at them. (see "direction" below).

• Distraction - we train in a distraction free environment, but if the dog's behavior is ever going to be useful, we need him to be able to do it in the presence of distraction.
• Destination (location) - initially we train at home in a safe and familiar place. If you want your dog to be able do what you've taught at other places so you can take him along and not have him act like a heathen, then you must train in unfamiliar locations.
• Direction - dogs discriminate naturally, thus they make assumptions about things that we don't even notice and never intended - direction is one of those. A dog may learn only to sit facing one direction (south) or only facing the owner from in front. This happens when we fall into unconscious training patterns.
• Duress - no one performs as well under stress as they do in a peaceful environment. However, we all need to be able to maintain an acceptable level of performance despite stress. I don't suggest that you intentionally put your dog in a state of stress to train, but do take advantage of stressful situations to gently teach your dog that performing despite stress is a good thing that he can do.