Training Your Dog for Distractions

Teaching your dog a new behavior is the easy part! The tough part is practicing your new behavior around many distractions. 🙂

I think it was Bob Bailey saying, “10% of a new behavior is teaching your dog how to do the behavior. 90% is practicing the new behavior around distractions.”

When a pet parent says, “My dog does not listen at the park,” this means more practice at the park.

How to Train Your Dog

• Attach a leash to your dog. 🙂

• Have a party. Show your dog you are the best and most fun thing around.

o   Carry the best treats ever! The really good stuff.

o   Reward your dog every two seconds, especially if in a high distraction area, such as a park.

o   Use high-pitched tones, such as clapping or verbal “puppy puppy puppy.” It’s best used when dog is distracted. The sound will draw his attention back to you, so click/treat!

o   Move away from your dog really fast. Your fast movement is fun and will bring your dog’s attention back to you!

o   Keep a hidden tug toy that may pop out for impromptu games. Rotate between treats and tug game if your dog likes to play too!

• Start slow. Ask your dog to stay for two seconds instead of 2 minutes in a new situation. Always set your dog up for success or you’ll create a confused dog.

Measuring Success

When training your dog around distractions, what does good look like? When your dog will perform a cue 90% of the time. This means, you say “sit” and your dog immediately (within 2 seconds) puts his behind on the ground 9 out of 10 times. Move to the next step. 🙂

If your dog struggles to reach this criteria, you are moving too fast. Go back one or two steps and try again. This is not your or your dog’s fault. This usually means your dog is too distracted by the distraction. Move slowly and only move to the next step when your dog is successful.

Distraction Check List: Ready, Set, Go!

Begin practicing new behaviors around distractions in the below order. By following each step, your dog will learn to respond to cues quickly!  

1. Your Home
   1. Hallway
   2. Kitchen
   3. Living room with TV playing
2. Outside Yard
   1. Outside yard with kids playing (On leash)
   2. Outside yard with kids playing (Off leash)
   3. While squirrels are playing (On leash)
   4. While squirrels are playing (Off leash)
3. In Car
4. During Dog Training Classes
5. Vet’s Office
   1. Waiting area (no dogs -> 1-2 dogs -> several dogs)
   2. Inside vet’s exam room
   3. While vet is examining your dog
6. Walking Along Your Street: Always on Leash
   1. With no one in park (late evenings work best)
   2. While other people are walking around
   3. Dogs walking past you and your dog
7. In a Park: Always on Leash
   1. Begin far away from any distractions
   2. Move 5 feet closer to distractions (maybe it’s a walking trail with people and dogs)
   3. Move even closer (another 5 feet)
   4. Practice 3 feet from walking trail
   5. Practice on walking trail
   6. On trail with other people
   7. On trail with other people and dogs
   8. 15 feet move children playing (move until dog will perform cue within 3 feet of children’s play area)
8. Around Guests
   1. On leash
   2. Off leash

Dog training is like long division mathematics. When you stop practicing, you forget how to do it. Keep practicing and reward often! Happy training!

Now it’s your turn! What other distractions would you add to the list above?

READ ALSO: Come When Called Part 1: Intro