Focus

[DixieGrl113]

Dacey is having a problem focusing on me while walking. Let me elaborate......

When we walk through the park down by the river, there are a lot of other dogs and people. Recently, she has started to lose focus on us while walking past other dogs. If we turn to go a different direction, she is still breaking her neck to look at the other dog and ends up still standing there while we are trying to move on to a different place. She'll give a bark (playful)and want to go that direction. (She does not growl or act aggressive or pull the leash, she just stops) This is really frustrating while walking her with the other dogs. (My fiance walks with 2 while I walk with 2) We're all moving on and she is still standing there. I have been doing some on lead exercises with her at home and through the neighborhood at which she does great. I can not duplicate the situation unless I'm at the river. So, what can do in that situation to keep her attention on me so we can move along with all of our dogs not just 3? She isn't really obessed with any of her toys so I don't think bringing one of those would help. I've tried bait (liver) but she is not interested. If it helps, we estimate her age to around 3 yrs old and she is spayed. Any suggestions would be helpful!

Happy Holidays!

[DixieGrl113]

NO one has any ideas??? Anybody?

[WorkinDogz]

Give this a try :)

Start by walking her alone. The other dogs can go for their walk later; but if you're trying to successfully lay a foundation; distractions of the other dogs is the last thing you and she need.

I would also start attention training somewhere MINUS any distractions. Condition her to look at you when you give a particular command. (for instance...you sure don't need a dog starring a hole through your head the entire walk.....so whatever word you use for "walk nicely; don't pull" keep the same...but introduce a word that means "get in the heel position and LOOK at me")

Obviously; attention training is done in connection with obedience training....but I've found food reward to be the easiest way to reward for attention. It's up to you to find something she can't pass up......and it helps if she just hasn't finished dinner when you're doing this too. A little hungry works in your favor.

You have to take time to condition her to look at you when you give "that" command......and when you give the command; and she "breaks her neck to look at other dogs" THEN you can give a warranted correction for failing to respond to the command.

After much time training without distractions.....introduce them slowly.....be sure you don't overwhelm her first trip out with a million dogs to look at......

Age is irrelevent......consistant training and reward is everything.

Good luck :)

[DixieGrl113]

While teaching her to look at me with the new command, what can i do physically to get her to look at me when i say that. Should a put my hand under her chin to get her to look at me after I give it? Or, should I use the food treat to get her to look at me and then reward after she does. She loves cheese so i guess I'll start packin a slice or 2 of cheese with me. Thanks WD. You are always such a great help.

[WorkinDogz]

hmmm...let's think of something a little less fattening (and non-dairy) than cheese ;)

How abouuuuuuuuut.....Fat Free Turkey hot dogs; cut into nickle size pieces and then cut in half? :D

Allow her to know you have the yummies....she's not a human kid; so the under the chin thing really doesn't work as well.....but.....if she knows you have the food in your hand...and you bring the food up to your mouth (which directs her focus from your hand; to your face) and you reward from that position while reinforcing whatever command word you're going to use for it..... (little hint: Heel to my dogs means "lets take a walk. Don't pull; stay on my left side; but feel free to admire the scenery." When I want attention and them to be "uptight" because we're going past something that might spark their attention in a negative way.....I say "Fuss" which means..."get in the heel position; maintain it and DON'T take your eyes off of ME".)

You'll do fine...and you'll be surprised how fast she learns this. Soon; you'll have a half of weenie pieces in your mouth spitting them at her and then YOU'LL know you're training your dog...lol :)

[DixieGrl113]

Turkey hot dogs is a good idea. I'll try them. I'm going to work with her using your instructions. I'll let you know how its going. We'll be at it first thing tomorrow morning. I'm really looking forward to having her "with the program" again on our walks. Thanks again WD :)