The Art of Attention
The Art Of Attention
By Toni Drugmand (tdrugmand@aol.com) of DOG-ON-IT Training in Phoenix Arizona (602)-992-8743 & Fred Hassen (FredHassen@SitMeansSit.com) of Sit Means Sit Dog Training (702) 877-4581
A Good FoundationWhether you are working with a puppy, an adolescent or mature dog, everything you will teach STARTS with attention! Attention is the foundation of your training!
Training AidsUsing a long line attached to the pup’s collar helps in leash training and acts as a guide to direct the puppy’s attention from the wrong things he may choose to do. The long line gives the dog handler the ability to reach out and interrupt an incorrect behavior such as chewing, jumping etc. Be sure to provide the pup with an acceptable activity.
Motivation & BalanceTraining should be both motivational and balanced in order for your dog to learn. Motivating your dog to focus on your command, when he’s faced with various distractions, can be challenging! Try teaching your dog to do something you want before he gets something he wants, such as sit before a meal, or heel correctly for several paces and reward with a ball toss. Our system can include a leash and collar, a food reward, or toy time in conjunction with the cue of a remote training collar. The remote collar gives us the ability to clearly communicate to our dog and enhances reliability. If faced with a strong distraction such as a cat running, we want immediate response to our command - enough to call our dog back from the cat temptation!
SupervisionWhen we bring a puppy home its important to recognize the need for supervision and maintaining a safe containment area (crate, dog run). Attention starts at this early age for both owner and pet. Teaching pup, from day one, should start with easy attention exercises or games. An example is the “come” game. One person calls the pup and the long line helps guide the puppy while a lot of praise is given and maybe a treat or toy.
Age doesn’t matterAn adult dog abides by the same training consistencies a puppy does. If an adult dog is not house broken, OR has learned to dig and be destructive, we need to be fair by giving clear boundaries, the same as we do with a puppy. A safe containment and management system is important so positive learning happens. Overseeing all of your dog’s free time ensures that the dog doesn’t learn the wrong things, such as digging up mom’s garden!
AttentionBecause it all comes down to attention, you need to decide what training techniques make the most sense for your needs. A clicker gives the dog the ability to have a reward when he does the right behavior. This can be helpful to mark the correct behavior; however it may not be a strong enough motivation if your dog really wants to chase that cat! A leash and training collar can be effective for getting attention. Some dogs might even respond well to a toy or food lure. A remote collar is another safe, humane tool that works like a tap on the shoulder to get your dog’s attention. It has adjustable settings that can be changed to meet the environmental stimulation.
Don’t Change The Rules!If you are working with your dog at home and your dog just needs clear boundaries, then don’t change the rules! Be consistent every time you ask for a behavior or supervise every step until it is a reliably set pattern. Your dog may amaze you at how smart he really is. If however you have a difficult problem with your dog, especially aggressive tendencies, you may want to seek a professional trainer to help you gain the control necessary to help keep your dog a happy and safe pet. Teaching attention is the art of presenting your dog with choices and letting him compare them. The old saying which states you can’t know short without knowing tall applies.
If you would like to learn more about the Art of Attention, contact a Sit Means Sit Dog Trainer in your area for a free demonstration!
