If I taught you how to make a balloon animal at home 🎈, you’d still be able to do it at the park 🌳, on the beach 🏖️, or on a busy high street 🛍️ without needing another lesson.

Dogs don’t think that way. When they learn something new, like sit or leave it, they often link it very closely to the place, the situation, and even the person they were with at the time.

So when your dog seems to “forget” their training somewhere new, it’s not them being awkward, stubborn, or defiant — it’s simply that they haven’t learned that the same cue applies everywhere. That process is called generalisation.

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What Is Generalisation in Dog Training?

Generalisation is the ability for a dog to understand that a behaviour — like sitting when asked — means the same thing in every location, no matter what’s going on around them.

Humans do this naturally. Once we’ve learned a skill, we can apply it in almost any setting. But dogs need a little help to make those connections.

That’s why a dog who sits perfectly in your kitchen might suddenly act as if they’ve never heard the word before when you ask for the same behaviour in the park. It’s not a training failure — it’s just part of how dogs learn.

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Why We Need to Proof Behaviours

To help dogs generalise, we need to proof behaviours — in other words, practise them in a variety of environments and situations. But the key is to build up gradually.

Jumping straight from the living room to a busy high street is like trying to take your driving test the day after your first lesson 🚗💨. It’s too big a leap, and it sets both you and your dog up for frustration.

Instead, think of it as a steady progression:

• Start at home where it’s quiet and familiar 🏠
• Move into the garden 🌿
• Try a quiet park 🌳
• Then work your way up to busier or more distracting places 🛍️

Each new environment adds a little more challenge, and each success helps your dog understand that “sit means sit — wherever we are!” 🐶✨

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Take It Slowly

The goal isn’t perfection in every setting straight away — it’s confidence and understanding built over time. Keep sessions short, set your dog up to win, and celebrate those little moments of progress.

With patience and positive reinforcement ❤️, you’ll soon have a dog who can listen and respond just as well in the park, on the high street, or wherever life takes you together.