I noticed the other day, while working with a new German

Shepherd dog-mix I adopted from a local animal shelter—how fast

and intense you must work with your dog, during the

“reinforcement” phase.

Your dog goes through three general phases of learning:

1. “The Learning phase”: This is when the dog learns to

understand what a command means. You use very little correction

at this phase, and may use toys, balls or food to motivate (not

bribe!) the dog into doing and understanding what the command

means. The problem with most amateur dog trainers is that they

feel their dog is trained, once he understands a command and

has gone through the “Learning Phase.”

2. “The Reinforcement phase”: Once the dog has learned what the

command means, he needs to be “re- taught” the command in a

variety of different settings. Because he’ll likely only

associate response to the command in the initial setting you’ve

trained him in, he needs to “relearn” the command in different

types of areas. This happens very quickly. It usually only

takes one or two repetitions, and then it “clicks” for the dog.

Once you see that it’s “clicked for the dog,” this is when you

need to start working very fast, exciting and BRIEF sessions.

Your goal is to get the dog to respond to commands very

quickly. IF you’re working on the “down” command, then the dog

should drop into the down position very quickly—AND THEN

IMMEDIATELY GIVE HIM YOUR “RELEASE COMMAND!” Run 5 or 10 steps

with the dog, then reissue the command. When you give him the

release command, toss a ball, or a piece of food. You should be

aiming to teach the dog that training is a big, fun game. A game

that he has to respect. But nonetheless, a game the he loves and

looks forward to playing with you—in any environment.

Here’s where most new trainers fail: They don’t work the dog

fast enough. You need to make your body language fast and

exciting to the dog. IF you’re not sweating and huffing and

puffing after 5-10 minutes… then you’re not being animated

enough. For fastest results, work the dog like this for 3-4

sessions a day and you’ll see dramatic improvement.

3. “The Proofing Phase”: This phase teaches the dog that 100%

reliability in every type of environment is absolutely

imperative. Make sure your proof your dog in every type of

environment that you can imagine. Practice in parks, in field

and in parking lots. Practice around other dogs, and cats. And

even chickens and goats. One you've "proofed" your dog, you can

relax in knowing that you can pretty much take your dog anywhere

and know that hell listen.