Ignoring Distractions ©
Daina Beckman
Dog Behavior Specialist
Happy Tails Dog Behavior & Training
Psychological Heel
Continue to practice the psychological heel close to your home. In the front yard, on the driveway, in the back yard. You should stay close to home for about 4 weeks depending on your dog and how quickly you are getting the pack restructured. If I have given you specific recommendations follow those. Remember to stand up tall, pick something out and walk toward it. Keep the leash loose. By week 3 you should be getting to the point where you can only feel the weight of the leash in your hand. If you dog is still pulling follow any specific instructions that I gave you such as the find it game, walking backwards a few steps then have your dog sit as you take ½ step closer to him. Try turning in the opposite direction more often. Remember not to ask permission to heel. If your dog is getting really good at sit, then try heeling for 5-6 steps and give a sit command, keep repeating this.
IGNORING DISTRACTIONS
It is important that your dog learns to focus completely on you as pack leader. Remember for the 15-20 minutes that you have been practicing the heel; there is no sniffing, peeing, pooping. Your dog is at work. No one gets to play or goof off at work. You need to learn to ignore distractions if your dog is going to continue on to the next level. If you are heeling and you hear a car, try to ignore it. Remember a look is a reaction and you are trying to learn to not react. You still have to be aware of the environment so that you can lead the pack away from upsetting or exciting things. There will be times when a person approaches. You have seen dogs focus on someone approaching many times. Stay relaxed and focused on your dog with your body language. Feel happy that the person is approaching. Place your dog in a sit. Stand tall with either your whole body or one leg in front of your dog. You can make visual contact with the person so that your dog knows you are aware of the intruder and are addressing it. If it is someone you need to speak with place your dog in a sit, ask the person to ignore your dog until he is relaxed. Remember to keep your body up tall and in control, a confident, happy leader.
If you hear loud noises such as sirens or gun shots; simply say “it’s no big deal” and continue to work. If you react to sound your dog will think it is something to worry about. If your dog becomes frightened by the sound, let him stay in a standing position. Stand tall, look around then head back in the house. Once inside practice a couple of sit or down commands and then end the session on a positive note. Dogs can not think once they have had a fear experience.