Mini Course: Training Thresholds

Understand the stages of learning so you know what success really looks like.

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🧭 Course Overview

Every skill—recall, leash manners, neutrality, calm at the door—follows a progression. If we expect too much too soon, we create confusion and frustration. But if we understand the natural thresholds of training, we can work with the learning process, not against it. This course shows you how to recognize and work through each phase of skill development.

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🧩 Modules & Lessons

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Module 1: Why Thresholds Matter

Lesson 1: You’re Not “Stuck”—You’re Just at a Threshold

• Progress feels slow when we don’t know what stage we’re in

• Dogs don’t “fail”—they get overwhelmed or unclear

• Thresholds give us a framework for clarity and success

Assignment:
Pick one behavior you’re working on (e.g., recall or leash pressure). Reflect on where your dog currently sits in the progression—not where you wish they were.

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Module 2: The Five Universal Thresholds

Lesson 2: Threshold 1 – Introduction

• Calm environment, low pressure

• Dog is learning what the cue means

• Use luring, clear markers, and high reinforcement

📝 Example: Dog learns “Place” using food lure in quiet space.

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Lesson 3: Threshold 2 – Clarity

• Dog begins offering the behavior more independently

• You fade the lure, add light pressure or verbal cue

• Focus is on clear patterns and consistent feedback

📝 Example: Dog responds to leash pressure or verbal “Come” in the backyard.

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Lesson 4: Threshold 3 – Challenge

• Introduce light distractions and mild stress

• Corrections begin here—not as punishment, but as guidance

• Dog learns to choose calm, controlled behavior over reactivity

📝 Example: Dog holds “Place” while another dog walks past at a distance.

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Lesson 5: Threshold 4 – Proofing

• Train in new places with bigger distractions

• Leash, e-collar, or spatial pressure may be layered in

• Mistakes are addressed calmly and consistently

📝 Example: Dog comes off-leash at the park around other dogs.

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Lesson 6: Threshold 5 – Maintenance

• The behavior is now habit

• Dog performs reliably in daily life without much prompting

• Occasional reminders, resets, or refreshers are normal

📝 Example: Your dog no longer needs a cue to settle when you get up.

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Module 3: Applying Thresholds to Real Skills

Lesson 7: Training Examples Across Skills

Drill:
Pick one skill. Identify what threshold you’re currently in. Choose one action to help your dog move forward—without skipping steps.

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✅ Outcomes by the End of the Mini Course

You’ll understand:
✔ What stage your dog is in for any given skill
✔ How to progress without overwhelming them
✔ Why training sometimes plateaus—and how to keep going
✔ That success is not instant—it’s earned by layering clarity over time