How To Get Your Dog To Ignore Distractions, by McCann Dog Training on YouTube. 1 min 50 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 50 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes a day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Start in a quiet room or yard with few distractions. Put a treat on the floor and cover it with your hand or shoe before your dog can grab it.
Say leave it once, then wait. The moment your dog backs away from your hand, say yes and give a different treat from your other hand.
Repeat until your dog turns away as soon as it hears the cue. Then place the treat on the floor uncovered and practice the same way.
Stop using food as a lure. Keep treats behind your back or in a pouch and only bring one out after your dog has ignored the item.
Clip on the leash and practice in a low-distraction spot. Keep the leash loose and give a light, quick leash pop only if your dog ignores the cue and lunges.
The instant your dog looks back at you, turn and walk the other way. Moving away from the distraction is what keeps your dog focused on you.
Build up slowly: a toy on the floor, then a person across the room, then a quiet park. Repeat at each level until your dog is steady before moving on.
On real walks, spot the distraction early, say leave it before your dog locks on, and reward with a treat from your pocket when it turns away.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep leash pops light and quick, since a hard jerk can hurt your dog's neck and make walks worse.
Keep treats out of sight so your dog works for the cue instead of following the food.
Train in short sessions and stop while your dog is still getting it right.
Don't scold your dog for looking at something. Just give the cue and move on.
Questions
What if my dog already has the item in its mouth?
Trade for it. Hold a high-value treat near its nose, say leave it or drop it, and reward when it lets go. Don't pry the mouth open, because that can teach guarding.
How long does this take?
Most dogs need a few short sessions a day for one to two weeks before they respond around mild distractions. Busy streets and other dogs take longer.
Do I need a special collar?
No. A flat collar or harness and a 6-foot leash are enough. Skip choke and prong collars, which can hurt your dog.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
