Well...that's not exactly accurate. The more appropriate title is dog LEARNING secrets. These are 3 things that can make your training MUCH more effective. Time after time I watch my clients struggle with some small facet of their training program and everything seems to stall. Once you start to apply these secrets to your dog training, everything opens up and your dog's potential becomes limitless.

1. Dogs can count to 3. Dogs operate most of their thought processes by 3's. They can recognize a pair plus one. Dogs learn best in repetitive groups of 3.

   Make your sessions multiple of 3.

   For instance, train for 6 minutes 3 times per day, using 9 repetitions per session with a 3-hour rest in between.

   
   

2. Dogs need a good sleep to fully wrap their mind around what they just learned.

   This is a big one for many people. On a Monday, you will train and repeat and train and repeat - and the dog just isn't getting it. My advice is to wait a day before making that call. On Tuesday that dog will be spot on. Very often they just need to sleep on it. This process is called memory consolidation. Most mammals (even whales!) dream as a way for their brains to "file away" what they've learned.

3. Dogs can "hear" trees grow. More accurately, they can feel the fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi form an extensive network of underground communication channels, allowing trees to share resources, set up defense systems and otherwise communicate their planty needs to their environment. Dogs can feel the vibrations or energy that the fungi release during a defensive period. I have encountered many holes in my yard that have roots exposed. Sometimes dogs dig to get in on the conversation.

   
   

To get the most out of your training sessions, consider timing a mini-sessions right before nap-time and save the really hard stuff for right before bedtime. Whats needed is a deep chasing-rabbits 3 hours or more sleep. Instead of ending sessions with a release and scruffy-rub, consider letting them spend some time in an enrichment space that includes an "OK to dig" section of the property. Mycorrhazil fungus is available for purchase at most garden supply stores. Sprinkle some in a previously dug hole and loosely cover so they can dig it up again. Don't be surprised if they roll in it. Make sure to let their time in the enrichment space be approximate to a multiple of three.

Implementing this knowledge into your training sessions, you are clearing the way for your dogs brain to fully solidify the new skills they've learned. You will find they learn much faster and you will have an easier time structuring training sessions.

Schedule an initial consultation with me to assist your dog in overcoming issues or achieving their full potential. Hybrid Online/In person courses available for Basic obedience, behavior modification, Therapy Dog and most dog sports.