K9 Connector - Takeaways by DeLisa LeeK9 Connector - Takeaways by DeLisa Leehttps://www.k9connector.com/blogs/author/delisa-leeSat, 23 May 2026 16:08:29 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![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!

]]>Sat, 05 Jan 2019 08:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[03/18/17 Imported Blog Post]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/01-17-17-Blog-Post-10
]]>Sat, 18 Mar 2017 12:00:00 -0400<![CDATA[03/11/17 Imported Blog Post]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/01-17-17-Blog-Post-9
]]>Sat, 11 Mar 2017 12:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[03/04/17 Imported Blog Post]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/01-17-17-Blog-Post-8
]]>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.

]]>Wed, 01 Mar 2017 12:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[02/25/17 Imported Blog Post]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/01-17-17-Blog-Post-7
]]>Sat, 25 Feb 2017 12:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[02/18/17 Imported Blog Post]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/01-17-17-Blog-Post-6
]]>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[Core Training Methods]]>https://www.k9connector.com/blogs/post/core-training-methodsThere are 3 core training methods to introduce your dog to a new behavior. There are 4 phases of learning. In Phase 1 [Acquisition], you will introduce ]]>

Core Training Methods

There are 3 core training methods to introduce your dog to a new behavior.

 LuringUsing food to move your dog toward the desired behavior.
Shaping Rewarding your dog for close approximations to the desired behavior.
CapturingRewarding your dog for a naturally occurring, observable, behavior.

The Acquisition Phase

There are 4 phases of learning. In Phase 1 [Acquisition], you will introduce your dog to a new behavior. There are 4 learning levels in phase 1; Get the Behavior, Hand Signal, Verbal Command, and Fade the Lure.

Training methods sometimes overlap with each other. And since most behaviors can be taught using more than one method, it's good to know how to use all 3 methods. That way, if one method isn't working, you can switch to another one.

LURING

LURING means you are using an object to guide your dog to move into a position. The lure is usually food, however, if your dog is toy motivated, the lure can be a toy. LURING is a great method for teaching behaviors that involve movement.

Pros and Cons

  • Fosters a good bond between dog and trainer
  • Dogs catch on quickly
  • It's reliable, if the lure is faded correctly
  • It's easy for beginner trainers
  • Your dog can become overly focused on food if you don't fade the lure correctly
  • Does not teach your dog to troubleshoot or problem solve

Behaviors

  • SIT
  • DOWN
  • SPIN
  • ROLLOVER

See It In Action

Behavior WEAVE
Phase 1 [Acquisition]

Level 2 [Hand Signal]

SHAPING

SHAPING is rewarding your dog for close, successive approximations to the desired behavior until he achieves the full behavior. When you shape a behavior, your dog has to figure it out.


There are two types of SHAPING; free and guided. If you are FREE SHAPING, you can not give your dog any hints to help him figure it out. You can't say anything and you can't use any body language or props. It's not as difficult as it sounds if your dog has learned how to learn and is willing to experiment with you. If you are using the GUIDED SHAPING method, you can use your body language or props to give small hints to your dog.

Pros and Cons

  • Great for complex behaviors
  • Teaches your dog to troubleshoot and problem solve
  • Builds your dog's confidence
  • Results in very reliable behaviors
  • Requires your patience while you let your dog figure it out
  • Your dog must be willing to experiment and try new things

Behaviors

  • Sit nicely for petting
  • Greet animals and people calmly
  • Sit calmly for leash
  • Walk into vest
  • Put nose in muzzle
  • HEEL (no pulling on the leash)
  •  Refrain from chasing the broom, mop, or vacuum cleaner
  • Stop barking
  • Roll a water bottle on the floor
  • Step into a cardboard box
  • Open a picnic basket

See It In Action

Behavior See Max press the That Was Easy button (a behavior he learned in 3 days)
Phase 1 [Acquisition]

Level 3 [Verbal Command]

CAPTURING

CAPTURING is when you reward your dog for a naturally occurring behavior. When your dog performs a naturally occurring behavior you want to put on command, you mark the behavior and deliver a reward.

Pros and Cons

  • Easy for beginners
  • Improves your timing
  • Improves your observation skills
  • Limited to naturally occurring behaviors
  • You have to be looking at your dog to see him do it

Behaviors

  • Yawning
  • Stretching
  • Dog chasing his tail
  • Potty

See It In Action

Behavior See Max offer yawns
Phase 1 [Acquisition]

Level 1 [Get the Behavior]

TARGETING

TARGETING isn't a training method as much as it is a type of behavior. When you train your dog to target, you're training him to touch a specific body part to a specific object. Like when you offer your dog your upraised palm and he puts his paw in your hand, that's TARGETING. Other examples of TARGETING include behaviors like turning on a light switch, or pressing the Open Door switch/button, getting a beer from the refrigerator, or ringing a bell to let you know he wants to go outside. You can teach your dog to TARGET using the LURING or SHAPING methods.

Pros and Cons

Text goes here

Behaviors

Text goes here

See It In Action

Behavior See Liberty touch her nose to a target stick for the first time
Phase 1 [Acquisition]

Level 1 [Get the Behavior]

]]>Sat, 04 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.
]]>Sat, 28 Jan 2017 12:00:00 -0500