Obedience training
How many repetitions should a new command get before moving on to something else?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Use repeated comfortable responses as information, rather than treating a fixed repetition count as proof of learning. A success percentage can describe what happened in a particular setup, but it does not certify readiness for every new place or distraction. Make the next change small and be prepared to simplify again.
Count the setup as well as the response
Ten responses with a visible lure describe a different exercise from responses to a spoken cue alone. Your notes should identify the prompt used, the surroundings and whether the dog remained willing to participate. Otherwise a neat score can hide what was actually practised.
Choose a specific next step
Instead of writing mastered, state the change you want to try: a smaller hand movement, a brief pause or a new quiet room. This is an editorial planning method. It helps you test one practical change without converting an arbitrary eighty-percent threshold into a scientific rule.
Do not drill to complete the sheet
Stop or reduce difficulty when the dog is struggling. If you missed your intended reward moment, note that rather than demanding another repetition to repair the score. The purpose of a record is to improve the next decision, not to keep a dog practising until the numbers look good.
Key takeaways
- Record prompts and context alongside success.
- A score describes a session; it does not prove universal reliability.
- Pause before a counting target becomes pressure.