(Day #1) Fast Focus
Your first practical dog training technique is HERE!
This morning we’re showing you a simple strategy for when you need your dog to focus on you and stop pulling on the lead – or ignore a distraction. The distraction could be a person, another dog, traffic, abandoned chip wrappers or just general excitement or anxiety making them pull.
It’s just what your pulling, lunging dog needs!
Here’s what to do now:
- Watch the video
- Film yourself having a go with your own dog and share it with the hashtag #day1 #scentventure
- Catch up on yesterday’s kickoff call.
- Join the discussion and get personalised advice in the Facebook group.
That’s it! Good luck!
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Scentventure Compass Point: Partnership
This one is for when you need to slow your dog down, get their attention or move past a distraction.
Start stationary:
- Count ‘one, two, three’ out loud and give a treat on ‘three’.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat.
- Once your dog starts looking at you on ‘one’, you’re ready to start walking.
Now add steps:
- Take 3 steps, counting out loud as you go. On the third step, give your dog a treat.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat.
What’s great is that ‘one’ becomes a predictor of ‘two’ becomes a predictor of ‘three’. Your dog will start anticipating the third step (and the treat) and focus on you from the moment you start counting.
Deb’s adaptation for deaf dogs: Use your hand to count via signals. Hold the treat in your fist. One – index finger held up and slight bounce to hand. Two – first two fingers held up and slight bounce to hand. Three – first two fingers and thumb held out and slight bounce of hand. Open hand and present treat. Done with the hand closest to the dog (doing it across the body will encourage your dog to come in front and will block the ability to continue moving forward.