06/08/2026
“My dog listens great at home, but struggles when we’re out in public!”
If you’ve said or thought this before, you’re not alone. There’s a reason for this beyond your dog being “stubborn”, and it’s a concept called GENERALIZATION.
In learning theory, generalization refers to an animals ability to apply known skills/commands to environments outside of the one they learned it in. Big examples would include responding to sit in the living room vs. at Petco, but even something as simple as telling your dog to sit next to you rather than in front can change the picture enough for them to require extra help for a short time.
We address this with two key features in our programs: field trips based on training goals to practice skills in different places, and unlimited private lesson for Day Train and Board & Train students to ensure they generalize their new skills to home with their humans!
Next time your dog doesn’t do something around distractions, be sure to consider how much help they might need!
Picture of Day Train Student Luna at Petco
