Obedience: focus
 

Anyone have tips for gaining a dog's attention and focus when the dog is distracted and reacting to other stimuli?

For instance, when I'm walking Max in the neighborhood and he sees a dog he doesn't like, he will start barking like mad and pulling on the leash. Meeting the other dog is not always an option. How do I get him to focus on me so that I am in control and we can pass the other dog?

He won't look at me or pay any attention to me when he is outside and distracted.

Edit to add: he will respond to the "sit" command while still barking wildly.

First teach him to "look." In a quiet place, with no distractions, have him sit in front of you. You can sit on the floor with him in front of you, or on the sofa, even. With one of his favorite cookies, let him follow the path of the cookie to your eye level. When the cookie is at eye level, say "look" and when he meets your eye, speed that cookie to his mouth saying "good boy." When you think he is beginning to understand, then you can intermittently just praise him, slowly. Also, once he has it with you sitting down, practice with you standing.
Don't use the "look" command in real life until he really has it down. Once you do take it out, be proactive and try to see the dog or distraction before he does. As soon as you do, tell him to "look" and be sure to treat. Treat it (pun) like he's learning it all over again, using cookies, when you introduce the distractions, before just relying on praise. Always praise when you treat.
When I first start training something new, I use extra special treats. Also, the harder it is, the more special the treat.
A tip: everytime I give a cookie, I throw in a "here," also. I've saved more than one agility run from an off course by saying that. I've also used the "look" command to keep a dog on course.
Good luck.

We use a clicker when we use the command look at me. It seems to get her attention. It's small so you can carry it in your pocket.

Thank you for the instructions. I'm going to start working on it, but I'm going to have to come up with a command word other than 'look.' Max thinks 'look' means to go to the sliding glass door to look on the deck for a "threat", i.e. opossum, squirrel, rabbit. That was grandpa's doing. :p

Do you click at the same time you are saying 'look'?

This is something I have been working on for years! Yes, years.
I even hired a trainer to help. The key is SEE THE OTHER DOG FIRST
but that dosent' always happen. Last night we rounded a corner and
came face to face with a pit puppy, maybe 7-8mos old.
Buddy went crazy and one leg came out of his harness:eek:
It was embarassing to say the least. If I see the dog first I get his
attention with look at me and we get past but if he sees the other
dog first a steak would not stop him from attacking! It's really insane.
I tried treats but when he get's into that zone there's nothing I can do
but drag him down the street and curse under my breath.:(

That would have scared me too!

Do you use just verbal commands, or do you also use touch -- a shoulder touch or turning his head toward you?

Our walking paths are such that I always see the dog coming. I've tried walking confidently with a loose leash so as not to signal that there is any danger. I've tried putting Max in a sit and stay. He sits waiting to go off on the passing dog or person. I've tried treats to distract. He eats them and chokes while barking. I've even tried his favorite Texas Toothpick, a rare treat for him, and he ignores me and the chew.

Recently I started picking him up and holding him tightly against my chest while breathing deeply and slowly. We have had about an 85% success rate with that routine, but there are certain people and dogs he has to bark at wildly.

I am going to work on "look" (focusing on me) in the house first as suggested above.

I taught Buddy look at me from day one. We started out for a sec, then added to that over time until today he will look at me forever, if I let
him, until he's released. Outside he's a nut case when he sees a big dog.
Only big dogs. Other dogs he loves. Drives me nut's. Loose leash? What's
that? I've tried everything. My arm get's so tired of yanking him back to me.
I make him sit before I cross the road. When I do make him sit he immediately
starts looking for dogs thinking one is coming:p because I tried that
as well, making him sit when a big dog is across the street from us
to give him a treat. I stand infront of him to block his view. He ignors
the treat and tries his best to look around me at the dog. It's crazy.
I have registered him in a group session with other dog's. This should
be fun. I think we will get thrown out the first session when he
sees the other dogs but I have my finger's crossed being away from his
environment he will behave and give big dogs a chance. If this does
not work then I guess I'll just give up because there's nothing else
I can do.
I passed a big dog, don't know the owner, last week and he went
looney on me. The owner of the big dog called him a chicken.
I laughed because he really is. I don't know who he's trying to
impress because when a dog acts like this he's truly is afraid.
I have no idea where this fear came from. He never had any kind
of encounter with a big dog.

Carol,

I'm eager to hear how your group session goes with Buddy.

Max and I have had scary encounters with large, loose dogs that jumped on me, and I think this has a lot to do with behavior today. However, his reactions to dogs don't seem to be determined by size or breed. He will pass a German Shepherd, but go nuts over a Chow. He will pass a Springer Spaniel, but go nuts over a Beagle. Today he almost passed a Cane Corso, but when the other dog started barking, Max replied with a couple barks that almost sounded like he was saying, "yeah, whatever", lol.

I mentioned that to our trainer. Regarding his picking and choosing what
dogs he wants to be friends with. Her answer was, Don't You do the same.
OMG I never thought of that. LOL

Heeeheeeheee. Max does like Yorkies the most.

This why I use the clicker, it distracts them long enough to snap them out of whatever their first response is. I click it and say watch me. It makes them turn and look right at me so I can then decide how to proceed. Depending on the dog and the owner that may be approaching, If they have good control over their dog we will proceed, if not I can pick them up or cross the street, but it is my choice not theirs. When they get frantic, it is important to make a noise that will snap them out of it long enough for them to refocus on what you want them to do.

I think I have his twin....LOL Lottie , she is the exact same and we are going back to class this week to try and get her used to other dogs. We use the clicker as well but and the look she is great until she sees the dog and now she even starts when I say look thinking that some dog is coming!!All her trouble stems from when she was a puppy and a dog came out of nowhere and picked her up. She was unhurt but she is nervous of dogs now and she barks and will also nip if thye come too close.Wish us luck.

I just might get a clicker. It's the only thing I have not tried.
Thanks for that infomation. I did use, UGH, like Ceaser does to distract
him but he seems to get comfortable eventually with anything then
back to his old ways. It's just so frustrating.

Good luck with your classes. I hope it works for us as well.