Generalization

What it means

Dogs don't automatically generalize a behavior from where it was first learned to every other context, a cue taught exclusively in one quiet kitchen may not mean anything to the dog on a busy sidewalk. Generalization has to be deliberately practiced by repeating the behavior in a range of new locations, with new people, and around new distractions.

A real example

A dog that reliably sits in the living room may look at its owner blankly the first time "sit" is asked at the vet's office, not out of defiance, but because it hasn't generalized the cue there yet.

A worked example

Dan's dog sits perfectly at home. At the vet, it ignores him. Dan practices in the hallway, then outside the front door, then at the end of the street, always with treats. In two weeks the dog sits at the vet, because Dan taught it that "sit" works anywhere.

Signs it is working

• The behavior works in a new location after a few quick repetitions.
• It works with different people giving the cue.
• It works when you change your position or clothing.

What it is not

It is not stubbornness. Dogs generalize slowly and in specific ways, so a new place usually means starting again at an easy level.

Why it matters

Dogs do not automatically transfer learning between places. Planning for generalization is what turns a trick into a dependable behavior.

How to use it

1. Once the behavior is solid at home, take it to a second easy location, such as the garden.
2. Make the task a little easier than you think it needs to be, then rebuild.
3. Vary who gives the cue, what you wear and where you stand.
4. Repeat across many locations. Each new place needs a few quick, high-reward repetitions.

Why does my dog "forget" outside?

It has not forgotten. The behavior was learned for one set of cues, including the room. Outside, the situation looks new, so the dog needs to relearn that the word still applies.

Related terms

Keep learning

• Default Behavior →
• Latency →