Dog Walk Tip: If Your Canine Companion Can't Seem to Keep Away from Wildlife During Walks, Give This Trainer's Sneaky Trick a Shot
In a recent Instagram post, the team at Happy Dogs Training, led by certified dog trainer and animal behavior expert Piper M Novick, shared advice on dealing with dogs that are easily distracted by wildlife. The video, which can be found on the Happy Dogs Training Instagram page, features trainer Benah Stiewing working with a dog named Hazel who has a long line in an environment where there aren't any real safety concerns.
Hazel, a dog with a high prey drive, benefits from the training method demonstrated in the video. The method involves using treats and positive reinforcement to encourage the dog to focus on the trainer and respond to commands, even when there are distractions present. For instance, when Hazel moves past his trainer, Stiewing steps on or grabs the long line to restrict his access to reinforcement until he can offer engagement.
The principle "Attention to handler equals access to environment" is emphasized. This suggests that offering engagement to the handler can give the dog access to its environment. It's important to make check-ins happen with your dog, even if they don't offer them often, and this might require bringing treats or toys.
The team also emphasized the importance of reinforcing check-ins, but acknowledged that some dogs may not check in when easily distracted by wildlife. In such cases, patience and persistence are key. The video demonstrates a method for training a dog to check in, even when distracted by wildlife.
For those struggling with their dog while on a long line, the article titled "Three of the most common loose leash walking mistakes (and how to fix them)" is suggested as potentially useful. The method is intended to help improve the dog's recall and make walks safer and more enjoyable for both the dog and its owner.
Benah Stiewing, known for working with dogs distracted by hunting instincts, focuses on behavior modification and obedience training. The video shared is part of the team's ongoing effort to provide practical, effective training advice for dog owners.
It's worth noting that a high prey drive in dogs, or a fascination with wildlife, isn't necessarily a bad thing, but can be problematic if the dog is easily distracted and won't check in. By following the advice shared by the Happy Dogs Training team, owners can help their dogs become more focused and enjoy more rewarding walks together.
