When teaching a behavior there are three “D’s” to keep in mind: duration, distance, and distractions. This is mostly associated with teaching the “stay” but it really applies to all behaviors. If we ask our dogs to do something they should continue to do it until released or given something else to do, at least that is my goal. Bob Bailey teaches you when training to “be a ‘splitter’ not a ‘lumper'”. Break the behavior inot smaller increments instead of lumping it into one thing.
I am “splitting the “D’s” even further:
- Determine – determine exactly what you want.
- Dissect – break the behavior into small slices
- Declare – keep a journal of your training
- Deliver – feedback to your dog
- Dependability – 80% correct responses before raising criteria
- Duration – build the duration of the behavior in small increments
- Distance – build the distance between you and your dog in small increments
- Distraction – train the behavior with distractions
- Different – train the behavior in many environments
- Deviate – when you work on a new “D” make the other “D’s” easier
- Diversity – build fluency of the behavior in various environments
- Disburse – lots of rewards for good behavior
- Difficulty – raise criteria to increase the challenge
- Deliberate – in the words of Bob, Bailey: “think, plan, DO”
- Do – train the behavior anytime, anywhere, anyplace
- Devote – time to your dog
- Daily – train often!
Anyone have any other “D’s” they would like to add?
DISCRIMINATE – mark and reward only precise correct behavior increments
DESIRE – Build it by making training super fun. Vary rewards. Be silly, exciting and unpredictable.
DETAILS – pay attention to these and you’ll never have to deal with any big issues.
Diligence – ties in with Julie’s first D. Once you’ve determined exactly what you want, you need to put forth a constant and honest effort to accomplish that goal.