Want your training to actually stick? This follow-up to How to Practice so it Sticks (Part 1) turns the science of skill learning into action. From discovery-based sessions to challenge design and co-regulation, these six principles will help you build fluency, flexibility, and transfer. The kind of real-world performance that shows up when it counts.

Muscle memory is a myth. And understanding how dogs (and handlers) actually learn can transform your training. This post unpacks the science behind lasting skill, from the power of deliberate practice to the role of variability, spacing, and real-time problem-solving in agility. It’s the first in a two-part series on training for real-world performance, not just polished practice.