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Generalization

5/7/2019

1 Comment

 
A common term used in dog training is generalization.  Unfortunately, many pet owners do not know what a trainer is talking about when this word is thrown around. So what is it? According to Merriam Webster it means “to give general applicability to”. Simply speaking, it means teaching your pet that a behaviour can be done anywhere, anyway. Generalization plays a HUGE part of having a well trained dog and is something everyone should strive for with their dogs.
Generalization comes after your dog knows a command and the behaviour you are asking for. A common problem owners face is their dog(s) not performing known behaviours in a different situation; which in fact is a lack of generalization. Unlike humans dogs are not able to generalize commands immediately. They are incredibly lateral in their thinking and often just changing a small thing (your body position, location etc) can completely confuse your dog if they are not taught to generalize.

Once your dog has learned a command, such as sit, it is important to start teaching them that they can sit in the kitchen where you taught it, outside or at the pet store. We believe in baby steps when training. Just because your dog is consistently sitting when asked in your home where you usually practice doesn’t mean you should jump straight to expecting them to understand and listen when you get to the busy dog park and ask them to sit for the first time. In order to properly generalize you will gradually add more distractions, add duration, or differing body language when asking the dog to perform the known command. Another helpful tip when it is a large step is to treat it like a new command again and using a high value reward (and make sure to reward right away just like when you first starting teaching them to the command). As you work on this with different commands you will notice they are quicker to generalize commands that you might not have spent as much time on.

A quick way to test how well your dog generalizes a command is to sit on the floor yourself and give your command. Does your dog listen or are they busy sniffing you and think “WOAH my human is on the ground - this is weird, is it play time”? Instead of going straight to the floor try giving the command from sitting in a chair. Your body language tells your dog a ton of things and they get used to seeing a specific image when you ask for each command. When first teaching a command you might notice your dog has troubles because you always stand up straight with your hands out in front of you to give a hand signal but your husband stands with his hands in his pockets. If you are the one that typically practices with the dog there is a good chance when your husband asks the dog to sit that it is confused at first as the visual image presented is different than what it is expecting to see with the command sit. This is where generalization comes in.

Below is a fun list that is a good way to practice and test how well your dog can generalize. It uses the command sit but you can work on this with any behaviour.​
  • ​Dog sits while handler has their hands above their head
  • Dog sits while handler is standing on a chair
  • Dog sits while handler is sitting in a chair
  • Dog sits while handler is sitting on the ground
  • Dog sits while handler is laying on the ground
  • Dog sits while handler is laying on the couch
  • Dog sits while handler is holding their collar
  • Dog sits while handler uses only a hand signal
  • Dog sits while handler is 10 ft away
  • Dog sits while handler is 20 ft away
  • Dog sits in front of handler​
  • Dog sits beside handler to the right
  • Dog sits beside handler to the left
  • Dog sits behind handler
  • Dog sits up from a down
  • Dog sits on 3 different surfaces (shiny floor, gravel, grass, wood, carpet etc)​
  • Dog sits on a chair
  • Dog sits on a raised platform
  • Dog sits in a bathtub
  • Dog sits in the car
  • Dog sits before their food is put down
  • Dog sits before a door is opened
  • Dog sits while a door is opened
  • Dog sits before leaving their crate
  • Dog sits before being pet
  • Dog sits when you stop walking
  • Dog sits with distractions around such as toys being thrown or on the ground
  • Dog sits with children playing
  • Dog sits with another dog in the room
  • Dog sits with another dog in the room playing or walking by
  • Dog sits while a car drives by
  • Dog sits in motion
  • Dog sits in the rain/ snow
  • Dog sits for someone else (ie spouse, child, friend)
1 Comment
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10/10/2019 07:06:16 pm

I used to think I love dogs and I can't live without dogs or cats but now I feel exactly the opposite. I want each and every fur baby to stay as far away from me as possible. I even developed an allergy to cats. It only means I am getting older and very weak and my immune system is down. Honestly it's not even because they make me sick or something. I think I am not fit to be a parent. I don't have my own house and I am not even sure where to get money to feed myself each day. How can I ever own a dog or a cat without being abusive because of constant neglect?

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    Samantha is the Owner and face behind Canine Coaching. She believes all dogs (both young and old) are capable of learning and are happier being well-mannered members of the family! Samantha resides in Central Alberta with her Husband on their acreage with their two German Shepherds Tori and Baron.

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