One of the common topics during lessons is distractions. Dogs can be distracted by other dogs, people, wildlife, cars, leaves-shaped-like-animals or even just the smells in the area. It can be very frustrating on our end because we are perceiving the world so differently than our dogs.
With most distraction challenges we need to find the right starting distance. Is a dog over-excited about other people? Then let’s find a distance where he can calmly pass a stranger. This might mean just stepping off the sidewalk slightly, or it might mean we need to be across the street.
Is a dog distracted by other dogs? Maybe we need to find a place where we can watch from a block and a half away and do our training activities at that distance to start.
Viktor at Lake Michigan
Sometimes we can’t find an appropriate starting distance. In those situations we can then do foundation training on a similar-but-different distraction. For most dogs who are distracted by dogs, we’ll start with me as the distraction. I’m not as interesting as another dog, but I can be a perfect starting point. Then I can be carrying a toy, rattling a treat bag, or even bouncing a toy. We gradually increase the distraction level until we’re out of ideas – and then we revisit dog distractions at a distance.
Starting at a point of success can make a huge difference in long term progression and it’s a great way of helping dogs develop the habit of focus/relaxation in various environments.
I seek out distractions when I’m out with my dogs and then carefully choose our starting point.
I hope that this year you can find all kinds of great distractions to train with your dog!