Dealing with Distractions: 5 Tips for Training in the Real World

1. Start Small and Gradual

Begin your training in a controlled environment with minimal distractions. Once your dog reliably responds to commands in this setting, gradually introduce more distractions. Move to a quiet park, then to busier areas, and finally to busy streets. This step-by-step approach helps build your dog's confidence and ability to focus under increasing levels of distraction. Don't forget, you may need to re-teach behaviors in different settings. Dogs are not great at transferring behaviors location to location.

2. Use High-Value Rewards to Make Yourself More Exciting

In distracting environments, ensure you have high-value treats that your dog finds irresistible. Think hot dogs, boiled chicken, lunch meat, and freeze dried liver/salmon. It needs to be more appealing than the distractions, so your dog is motivated to focus on you instead of their surroundings.

3. Incorporate Play as a Reward

Play is a powerful motivator for many dogs. Use periods of structured play, like fetching a ball, tug-of-war, or a quick burst of running around together as a reward. This not only reinforces the cue (command) but also makes training fun!

4. Practice ‘Engagement’ Exercises

Before practicing specific commands, teach your dog to engage with you by looking at your face. Wonder around your yard, a park, or a store and click-treat for offering eye contact without being told. Start in low-distraction areas and gradually add distractions. Whenever your dog makes eye contact or comes to you, reward them generously. This helps to strengthen their focus on you, making it easier for them to respond in busy environments.

5. Use Setups for Success

Create scenarios where you know your dog will be tested by specific distractions (like other dogs, people, or noise). You can set up training sessions at these locations during quieter times, or bring a friend to help create distractions. As they show more reliability, you can increase the level of distraction or challenge.