Training vs Learning: Why It Matters for Your Dog

If you’ve ever said, “We’ve done training but it didn’t really stick,” or “He knows it at home but not when we’re out,” you’re not alone - and chances are, you’ve bumped up against the very real difference between training and learning.

The truth is, dogs are learning all the time. From the moment they wake up to the moment they curl up for the night, they’re taking in information - about you, their environment, routines, sounds, smells, where good stuff happens and where to avoid. That’s learning.

Training, on the other hand, is what we do with that learning. It’s the intentional bit. The planned part. It’s how we guide that sponge-like brain and help turn everyday experiences into repeatable, reliable behaviours.

Retired Greyhound, Izzy, learning to chill in the garden. No task training, but lots of learning that we choose to reward and ultimately choose behaviours we want to reinforce.

Think of it like this: if learning is happening all the time, then training is your way of steering the ship. Without it, your dog might still learn - just not the things you want them to.

Learning is Always Happening

Whether we realise it or not, our dogs are always learning.

They’re learning when we’re actively engaging with them… and when we’re not. They’re learning during walks, in the car, in the kitchen, at the park, and even when you’re on a Zoom call and they’re watching what gets your attention.

And what they’re learning might not always be what we intended.

Dogs are incredible observers. They notice patterns - how long it takes you to put your shoes on, what jacket you wear before a walk, whether it’s worth hanging around the highchair during dinner time. They’re constantly collecting information about:

• Us - our tone of voice, body language, energy

• The environment - sights, sounds, smells, textures

• The outcomes - what happens after they do something

Training is just a small slice of your dog’s day — but learning is 24/7.

Training is Intentional Learning

If learning is always happening in the background, then training is what happens when we take the wheel. It’s the intentional part - where we decide what we want our dog to learn, how we want to teach it, and why it matters.

Training gives learning a purpose.

It’s not about barking out commands or turning your dog into a robot - it’s about creating clear communication, building trust, and setting up both you and your dog for success in the real world.

Take something like “settle on a mat.” If we just wait and hope the dog figures it out, they might learn something different (like wandering off is more fun, or staying still is boring). But with thoughtful training - using reward-based techniques, a calm environment, and consistency - we shape that moment into a meaningful, useful behaviour.

Training channels learning - it doesn’t replace it.

Dogs Learn More Than Just the Task

When we teach a behaviour like settling on a mat, we tend to focus on the what: “My dog lies on the mat when I say the cue.”

But your dog is learning far more than just the cue.

They’re also learning:

• Where they were when it happened

• What was going on around them (noises, smells, movement)

• How you looked and sounded

• How they felt in that moment

• What happened afterwards

At home, they might associate “mat” with quiet, calm, and roast chicken. But try it in a busy café, and they’re met with clinking cups, passing feet, and new smells. If they haven’t learned to generalise the behaviour across contexts, the cue might mean nothing in that moment.

The behaviour is just the tip of the iceberg - the context is everything.

Why It Matters at Every Age & Stage

Learning isn’t something that ends after puppyhood. It changes, but it never stops.

Let’s look at how “settle on a mat” shows up across life stages:

Puppies: They’re learning everything for the first time. Teaching a settle is about helping them feel safe, showing them how to wind down, and reinforcing the right choices from the very start.

Adolescents: Suddenly, they forget it all - or so it seems. But it’s not lost. They’re testing the reliability of routines. With consistency, variety, and support, you can help them re-learn it in the face of distractions.

Older Dogs: They may never have learned to switch off or feel safe being still. Teaching settle here is about building trust, not just obedience. It can be deeply comforting - a cue that says, “You’re safe here.”

Make the Most of What Your Dog is Learning

Once you see that learning is always happening, you can start guiding it outside of training sessions too.

With something like “settle,” consider:

• Environment: Practise in varied places, not just at home

• Your behaviour: Stay consistent and calm - your dog takes cues from you

• Reinforcement: Use a mix of food, praise, touch, or access to something enjoyable

• Emotions: If they feel safe and supported, learning sticks far better

Every moment is an opportunity. You just need to notice what your dog is learning and what you’re teaching.

You’re Teaching Even When You’re Not ‘Training’

This is the part many people miss - and it’s the most powerful.

When you sigh as your dog jumps up, they might learn sighs = attention. When you say “settle” but don’t reinforce it, they might learn it’s optional. When you’re tense or distracted during training, they might associate that feeling with the task.

The patterns you create become your dog’s guidebook. So if we want them to settle calmly, we need to reward calm, observe gently, and reinforce often - even in the in-between bits.

Your dog doesn’t need a classroom to learn. They’ve got you.

Be Your Dog’s Favourite Teacher

Your dog is learning - all the time. Whether they’re a sleepy pup, a boundary-pushing teen, or a wise old rescue, they’re constantly adapting based on what works for them.

That means you have a daily opportunity to shape their world with kindness and clarity.

You’re not just teaching a cue - you’re helping them feel safe, seen, and successful. And when you train with intention, they learn not just to follow commands, but to trust you in the most meaningful way.

Ready to get started?

If you're at the start of your journey or want to make sure you’re guiding your dog’s learning in a way that sets everyone up for success, my Puppy Foundation Course is the perfect place to begin. We also have our Adolescent courses and general training packages to suit all ages and stages.

Whether you choose 1:1 sessions or supportive small-group classes, we’ll work on building real-life skills like settle, recall, lead walking, and calm greetings - all while understanding how and why your dog learns.

Click here to learn more about our training programmes

Let’s train with purpose. Let’s learn together. Let’s make you your dog’s favourite teacher.