The Cockapoo Club for owners, enthusiasts and ALL recipients of Hearing Dogs
WHERE COCKAPOOS COME FIRST!
WHERE COCKAPOOS COME FIRST!
WEEK 5 - KEEPING FOCUS
So far, all the training has been done in quiet locations where there are not many distractions.
Now it is time to teach your dog how to deal with an environment where there may be other dogs, squirrels, children playing etc. It is really important that your dog learns to come to you even when there are distractions.
Your dog might be the friendliest dog in the world, but not all dogs are friendly and some may not appreciate him running over to them to play, just as not all children will be happy with a dog running up to them excitedly.
** Have your dog on his training lead initially. You can either hold it or let it trail on the ground. Use the techniques learned in the previous weeks. Take your dog to an area where there are distractions.
** When your dog sees another dog or distraction in the distance, call him to you and get him to sit.
Throw some treats or his toy a few feet away for him to retrieve and find. Call your dog’s name and when he looks at you, throw another piece of food a little way away from you.
** You can also use a toy at this stage if your dog prefers. After calling your dog to you, throw his toy a few feet away from you and let him fetch it.
** Do not let your dog run up to other dogs or people. Call him to you, and use his training lead to guide him to you if necessary. Letting him do this without permission just reinforces that for him, other things are more interesting than you!
** Call your dog back to you several times as you are walking round your local park or exercise area and then let him have a bit more freedom. When he comes to you touch his collar, reward him and let him go.
** When you think your dog is fully focused on you, let him off his lead and carry on your walk.
USE ALL THE GAMES YOU HAVE BEEN DOING IN PREVIOUS WEEKS TO KEEP YOUR DOG INTERESTED IN YOU. This will help your dog know that you are more fun to be with than the dog or squirrel and that coming to you when you call is way more fun!
BACK ON LEAD.
When you have your dog off lead, occasionally put him back on his lead for a minute or two and then release him again. This will show him that he can come to you and being put on a lead doesn’t always mean it is home time and an end of the fun.
Now it is time to teach your dog how to deal with an environment where there may be other dogs, squirrels, children playing etc. It is really important that your dog learns to come to you even when there are distractions.
Your dog might be the friendliest dog in the world, but not all dogs are friendly and some may not appreciate him running over to them to play, just as not all children will be happy with a dog running up to them excitedly.
** Have your dog on his training lead initially. You can either hold it or let it trail on the ground. Use the techniques learned in the previous weeks. Take your dog to an area where there are distractions.
** When your dog sees another dog or distraction in the distance, call him to you and get him to sit.
Throw some treats or his toy a few feet away for him to retrieve and find. Call your dog’s name and when he looks at you, throw another piece of food a little way away from you.
** You can also use a toy at this stage if your dog prefers. After calling your dog to you, throw his toy a few feet away from you and let him fetch it.
** Do not let your dog run up to other dogs or people. Call him to you, and use his training lead to guide him to you if necessary. Letting him do this without permission just reinforces that for him, other things are more interesting than you!
** Call your dog back to you several times as you are walking round your local park or exercise area and then let him have a bit more freedom. When he comes to you touch his collar, reward him and let him go.
** When you think your dog is fully focused on you, let him off his lead and carry on your walk.
USE ALL THE GAMES YOU HAVE BEEN DOING IN PREVIOUS WEEKS TO KEEP YOUR DOG INTERESTED IN YOU. This will help your dog know that you are more fun to be with than the dog or squirrel and that coming to you when you call is way more fun!
BACK ON LEAD.
When you have your dog off lead, occasionally put him back on his lead for a minute or two and then release him again. This will show him that he can come to you and being put on a lead doesn’t always mean it is home time and an end of the fun.
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