What Stage Of Learning Are You In?

When learning a new skill, there are 4 stages before reaching mastery or creating a habit:

1. Unconscious incompetence - acquisition

2. Conscious incompetence - automatic

3. Conscious competence - application

4. Unconscious competence - always

ONE

No development of the new skill can occur because there is not yet any awareness of what is working or not working.  

There may be a desired goal to do ‘better’, but it’s difficult to define what ‘better’ means because, at this stage, there is no knowledge of what skills would be relevant or useful to reach the goal.

Example: A dog is pulling on the leash.  The owner is searching for solutions, so they read or heard a harness may help, so they switch their dog to a harness.  The dog still pulls and they are frustrated, confused, and defeated and unsure of how to fix the problem.

TWO

A true understanding of why the new skill is important and how much effort will be needed to perform the skill.

Commitment is made to establish this new skill.

By attempting or trying to correctly perform the new skill, awareness is captured around mistakes that contribute to the slow progress.

Example: After explaining the root issues of a dog pulling, we start working with the right equipment.  We then begin working on leash mechanics. I coach the owner through walking drills, giving feedback in real time.  The owner develops an appreciation for the amount of work it takes to learn loose leash walking.

THREE

The skill can be performed without assistance and with competency, though only with deep concentration.

The skill can be demonstrated, but not taught to someone else.

A lot of practice happens during this stage.

Example:  The owner does the walking drills given for homework.  They show improvement and are seeing results, though still need to look down at the dog, can’t juggle anything else, such as, be on the phone or hold other objects, as walking takes their full attention.

FOUR

The skill has become second nature.  It is now habitual and has entered their unconscious like a reflex.

It’s possible to perform other tasks while performing the skill.

Frequent exposure is required to maintain this skill.

Example:  Without realizing it, the owner makes the lifestyle change to take their dog for a walk every single day, because they now enjoy it!   Going everyday creates the opportunity for them to continue engraining their skills.  They love the confidence they gained through the learning process and are proud to have a dog that walks nicely.  They use the time to listen to a podcast or to walk to stores.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

You don’t know, what you don’t know. If you are not having a good time with your dog, what you are doing is not working and you need new methods. Understanding where YOU are at in the learning process better informs why your dog is struggling and also why your relationship with them isn’t where you’d like it to be.

Consider any new habit. Most of the time, you are doing it for and by yourself. And that’s hard enough. With dog training it’s not just about you. It’s also not just about the dog. It’s about both of you, PLUS the working dynamic between you both.

The first stage is the hardest. The rest is where I coach you on: setting realistic expectations and goals, the best tools to use, the skills that would be best to teach your dog and easiest to implement into your life, tips on how to be most effective, and the accountability to keep up with the homework.

Where are you at in your training process?