K9 Connector - Takeaways , UncategorizedK9 Connector - Takeaways , Uncategorizedhttps://www.k9connector.com/blogs/UncategorizedMon, 25 May 2026 02:30:22 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Post for Zoho]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/post-for-zoho_31

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]]>Fri, 01 Jan 2021 02:31:00 -0500<![CDATA[​Four Phases of Learning]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/​​Four-Phases-of-Learning
There are multiple opinions on how many learning phases there are in dog training, and that's okay. Most professional dog trainers, however, agree that the learning phases are acquisition, fluency, generalization, and maintenance. At K9 Connector, our 12-step training model is built around these 4 phases. 

K9 Connector Training Model

Acquisition

In phase 1, your dog will acquire the behavior you desire him to perform. Your dog will go from having no idea what you want him to do... to catching on. 

Fluency

In phase 2, you'll focus on getting the desired answers, as applicable, to these three 3 questions. What does it look like? How quickly does your dog start the behavior? And how quickly does he complete the behavior?

Generalization

Have you ever told your dog to SIT during training, and he SITS, but when you tell him SIT in front of friends and family, he doesn't? This is because dogs don't generalize well. In phase 3, you'll train your dog to perform the desired behavior regardless of DURATION, DISTANCE, and DISTRATIONS, and to manage all three at the same time; DIVERSITY.

Maintenance

Phase 4 is never ending. Just keep practicing for a happy life!

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]]>Sat, 04 Mar 2017 12:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[Opposites: Puppies vs Children, Ask for permission, not forgiveness]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/Opposites-ask-for-permission-not-forgiveness

This recommendation does not apply to all dogs. This is for people who are raising  extraordinary pets​.

You've probably heard the phrase, it is better to ask for forgiveness, than permission. Can we agree that there are times when it is prudent to act decisively and apologize later, than to seek approval to act and risk delay, objections, etc.? 

The thing is, when it comes to dogs, the opposite is true. If your dog is allowed to take liberties in general, you will find yourself needing to redirect him often. And while some people think this is normal, I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way.

Max is an 80 lb boxer. I have zero tolerance for unwanted behavior from him. And yet, we rarely have to redirect at him. Training can eliminate the need for all fussing, almost completely

Permission, not forgiveness

Here are some behaviors that can be eliminated without fussing if you raise your dog to seek permission, not forgiveness. 

  1. Your dog jumps on furniture and you have to tell him to get down
  2. You dog enters the kitchen when you're carrying a pot of hot water to the stove
  3. Your dog walks into your home office and tramples over paper and documents you placed on the floor
  4. You dog walks from the house into the garage when the big garage door is open
  5. Your dog runs outside because someone opened the front door
  6. Your dog jumps out of your vehicle because someone opened the car door
  7. Your dog runs through the house with muddy feet when he comes inside
  8. Your dog steals food from your plate when you're not looking

Learn how to release your dog before failure and eliminate unwanted behaviors and your family's need to fuss at your dog.

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]]>Sat, 18 Feb 2017 12:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[​​How Long Will it Take to Train My Dog?]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/01-17-17-Blog-Post-5
There are many factors to considered when answering the question, "How long will it take to train my dog?" The biggest factor is you. 

It also depends on:
  • The Behavior - Some behaviors are easier to put on command than others. All dogs lie down. Not every dog voluntarily rolls over. The behavior matters.
  • The Breed - Some breeds have a natural ability to perform certain behavior over others. For example, Basset Hounds and Beagle are great sniffers so they’re really good at nose work. On the other hand, it's hard for a hound dog to ignore environmental stimuli when training outside. A Greyhound can run up to 45 mph, but they don't like to SIT so trying to get a Greyhound to SIT for any length of time may not be reasonable. The breed matters.
  • Training Levels - Your dog’s learning and development process is series of graduated accomplishments through the learning phases and each phase has multiple levels. Your dog has to go through each level for every behavior he learns. His success depends on your ability to help him advance through each level of each phase for every behavior he learns. Training levels matter.
  • Training Methods - While there is no predetermined limit on how much time your dog will spend on each level,  I can say with confidence that when your dog is learning MEAL MANNERS, he will spend very little time in the acquisition phase. In fact, he'll jump from GET THE BEHAVIOR to DURATION in just two or three sessions. On the other hand, let's say you decide to put LIP LICKING on command. For this behavior, your dog will spend days or weeks in the acquisition phase. Why the big difference? Because MEAL MANNERS is taught using the SHAPING method and LIP LICKING is taught using the CAPTURE method. The method matters.
  • Consistency - When a 5-minute training session is over, you can't let your dog do the opposite of what you just trained him on. For example, once you start teaching your dog to SIT until he is released (duration), you can't let him jump up after one second when you tell him SIT an hour later. (Tip: When you tell him SIT, and he hasn't fully learned DURATION, all you have to do is release him before he gets up.) Your consistency matters.
]]>Fri, 10 Feb 2017 12:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[​​Is Your Dog Engaged?]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/​​Is-Your-Dog-EngagedBefore you begin training, you must be able to answer YES to all of the questions below. Does your dog know his marker word? Does your dog understand yo ]]>
Before you begin training, you must be able to answer YES to all of the questions below.
  1. Does your dog know his marker word?
  2. Does your dog understand your communication system?
  3. Does your dog want to be with you? 
  4. Does your dog want what you have? 
  5. Is your dog focused on you?
  6. Does your dog ignore distractions?

If you answered no to any of the questions above, you're not ready to train and your dog is not ready to learn.

Be advised, engagement is a learned behavior. You need to learn it, and so does your dog. Engagement is one of the first lessons we cover in training.
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