Hey everyone, welcome back to the show! If you’re new here, I’m Brittney Howard, owner of Dawg Boss Canine Training, located in Central Virginia, about 30 minutes from Richmond and three hours from DC. I specialize in training high-drive dogs and behavior modification, as well as the basics like leash training and puppy education. I love what I do, and I started this podcast to share my passion and help answer the questions I get from clients and social media followers.
Today, we’re diving into a topic I get asked about a lot: **training focus in dogs**. This episode will cover everything you need to know to get your dog to focus on you, whether you’re out in public, training at home, or competing in sports.
Understanding Focus
Focus in dogs is a trained behavior that comes from rewarding specific actions. Initially, your dog doesn’t naturally seek you out for anything more than food or play. Building focus is about forming a strong bond and relationship. This isn’t something that happens overnight—it requires consistent training and reinforcement.
The goal is to have a dog that loves working with you and is enthusiastic about any activity you’re doing together. This enthusiastic focus can’t be forced; it’s developed through positive interactions and consistent training.
Establishing Focus: The Basics
1. Define What Focus Means to You:
– What do you envision when you think of focus with your dog? Different trainers and dog sports require different types of focus.
– Consider what you want your dog to do: maintain eye contact, perform a focused heel, or simply ignore distractions.
2. Start with Engagement:
– Engagement is the foundation of focus. When you go outside with your dog, do they look to you for direction and fun, or are they distracted by everything around them?
– To build engagement, make yourself the source of all things rewarding: food, toys, affection, and activities.
3. Training Eye Contact:
– Begin with training eye contact. Reward your dog with a treat or a clicker every time they make eye contact with you. This reinforces the idea that looking at you brings rewards.
4. Movement and Interaction:
– Incorporate movement and play into your training sessions. Run around with your dog, have them chase you, and reward them for staying engaged.
– This not only makes training fun but also builds a positive association with you.
Advanced Focus Training
1. Free Shaping and Luring:
– Free shaping involves rewarding your dog for naturally performing desired behaviors, like walking in a heel position and looking up at you.
– Luring uses treats or toys to guide your dog into the correct position. Over time, reduce the luring and increase the rewards for maintaining the position.
2. Consistency and Repetition:
– Dogs need numerous repetitions to learn new behaviors. Practice the desired behaviors repeatedly until they become second nature to your dog.
3. Incorporate Commands Gradually:
– Start with luring and shaping the behavior without commands. Once your dog understands the behavior, introduce the verbal command. For example, say “sit” and then lure your dog into the sitting position, followed by a reward.
Real-World Application and Final Thoughts
Focus and engagement aren’t just for training sessions—they’re for everyday life. When you’re out in public, don’t allow strangers to pet or feed your dog. This keeps your dog’s attention on you and reinforces that you are the source of all good things.
Remember, training should always be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. If you’re not enjoying the process, take a break and come back to it later.
Until next time, happy training! And remember, my formula for success: train five times a day, five minutes each session. That’s just 25 minutes out of your day to build a focused, happy, and well-behaved dog. Peace!
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Dawg Boss K9, based in Richmond, Virginia, specializes in training aggressive and reactive dogs. While primarily serving Richmond, we also extend our services to Powhatan, Midlothian, Chesterfield, and surrounding areas. With a focus on addressing challenging behaviors, Dawg Boss K9 is committed to helping dog owners create a harmonious relationship with their pets.