Getting a dog’s attention while walking

Sometimes the most difficult aspect of walking a dog, besides finding the most appropriate equipment, is getting the dog to pay attention to the person holding the leash. In many cases the loose leash walk issues can be corrected merely by changing a collar or harness or leash type. But in other cases, it revolves around getting the dog to focus on the person.

Paying attention skills on the walk are necessary for many situations. They may include a dog’s reactivity to another dog or other distractions such as squirrels, noisy vehicles or even wheels on bicycles or carts. The reactivity generally results in inappropriate lunging or barking. In either case safety for the person as well as the dog and community can be impacted.

Once we go beyond necessary equipment adjustments our next step is teaching the dog in a positive manner to want to focus on pleasing the human.

Focus
With the dog by your side in a loose leash walk, (a short but loose leash for control,) keep them walking while you have them focus. Use a special treat, ideally one that has some strong scent that they do not get at any other time, to properly motivate them. Take the treat and put in front of their nose while you continue moving, not stopping, and then in an arc with your hand and arm bring the treat to your nose. This should cause your dog to follow it with their eyes and to make eye contact with you. Use the “Focus”cue as you do this. Do these two or three times as you continue to walk.

There is no sitting during this as the goal is to keep them moving past the distraction instead of being reactive. Begin doing this for just a few feet before you reward them. Do not have them sit when you reward just keep walking.

Hand signal with treat from dog’s nose to your nose. Practice your “Focus” in appropriate situations passing by distractions that are stationary or in a confined area such as dogs or kids in a yard. Or you can pass by other dogs only while in your loose leash walk. Do not reward the dog with the treat until they are safely past the distraction. No sitting. This is a great method to keep your dog safe and to get your dog out of the area.

The “Focus” cue can be used preemptively before they see a distraction as well as when they are in the midst of it. This positive method of teaching them to want to look at you instead of elsewhere is one of the most important outdoor cues you can teach.

Abby Bird is the owner of Alphadog Training Academy. AlphadogTrainingAcademy@gmail.com