Three Training Lessons for a Distracted Dog

Lesson #1: Easy Distraction, Easy Behavior

Use a low-value distraction for this lesson!

Procedure:

1. Bring your dog into the training area.
2. While your dog is watching, place the distraction out of your dog’s reach, but where she can see it. Your dog should be well aware of the distraction, so do not try and hide it!
3. Hold two cookies in your hand; you’ll need them in a moment.
4. Standing close to your dog, cur a behavior she knows like a sit.
5. If your dog responds correctly, reward your dog with the two-treat method.
6. If your dog fails, admire the distraction together, then try again.
7. Repeat no more than 10 times or 5 minutes, whichever is greater.

Lesson #2: Easy Distraction, Different Behavior

This lesson is a repeat of lesson 1. The only difference is that you’ll be working on a different behavior.

Procedure:

1. Bring your dog into the training area.
2. Place the distraction out of your dog’s reach.
3. Have two cookies in your hand.
4. Request a different behavior. If you have been working on a sit, then maybe you’d like to do a down, or a few seconds of loose leash walking, or maybe a recall. As a side note, if you choose a recall, make a point of standing so that your dog is traveling away from the distraction rather than heading towards it. This is the only way that we can be sure that your dog is actually coming to you as opposed to heading to the counter.
5. Reward success with two cookies as described above.
6. Admire the distraction if your dog fails, then try again.

Lesson #3: New Distractions

This lesson introduces new distractions! Use low-level distractions at first, then slowly raise the value. Don’t forget to raise the value of your motivator, too!

Procedure:

1. Bring your dog into the training area.
2. Place the distraction out of your dog’s reach.
3. Have two cookies in your hand.
4. Request an easy behavior.
5. Reward success with two cookies.
6. Admire the distraction if your dog fails, then try again.
7. Repeat this lesson, varying the distraction.

For more advice on training your dog listen anytime, anywhere, purchase Beyond the Back Yard from Whole Dog Journal.