Proofing Engagement in Obedience with Distractions
Having your dogs total focus and attention are essential for lovely and high scored obedience runs.
For most dogs this does not come naturally and has to be trained or the dog needs to learn about how to work through distractions by proofing distractions in many different locations. Obedience matches are excellent in showing us what we need to work on to prepare for a show. Recently at a larger club match I learned that Beckett needs more work on distractions and transitions.
Petra Ford has an excellent lesson, " TRANSITIONS, TRANSITIONS, TRANSITIONS" in her course, "Training to Trial." The 4 transitions that I know we need more proofing on are: (1) Outside of the ring - preparing to be ready to go in the ring - staying connected to your dog while you wait; (2) Ring entrance which includes focus on you when you pass off a DB, take of the leash and pass by the judge; (3) Transitions between exercises keeping the dog from being distracted by his environment after an exercise is complete and then moving to the next exercise position without loosing your dog's focus and; (4) Brenda Aloff's 3-4 second rule - when a dog looses his concentration (which could include bumping into you during heeling, a bad transition or getting from one exercise to another and setting up) it takes 3-4 seconds for their brain to catch up so it is important to allow that time or you will not get your desired focus and work.
This park had so many new and crazy distractions today with the huge road construction going on; many trucks moving about, cars everywhere, people visiting and talking nearby; kids, bikes and my training partner that Beckett associates with fun hikes and runs. You will see how Beckett totally disengages with me and looks at his friend that he loves to run with on hikes.
My problem .... I did not have a plan for what to do if he did disengage. I did use the 4 second rule once before the Open Command Discrimination exercise. I also used his name to help ensure he was paying attention when the command was given. Otherwise I do not like to use their names... I keep it for showing, especially a novice dog.
For most dogs this does not come naturally and has to be trained or the dog needs to learn about how to work through distractions by proofing distractions in many different locations. Obedience matches are excellent in showing us what we need to work on to prepare for a show. Recently at a larger club match I learned that Beckett needs more work on distractions and transitions.
Petra Ford has an excellent lesson, " TRANSITIONS, TRANSITIONS, TRANSITIONS" in her course, "Training to Trial." The 4 transitions that I know we need more proofing on are: (1) Outside of the ring - preparing to be ready to go in the ring - staying connected to your dog while you wait; (2) Ring entrance which includes focus on you when you pass off a DB, take of the leash and pass by the judge; (3) Transitions between exercises keeping the dog from being distracted by his environment after an exercise is complete and then moving to the next exercise position without loosing your dog's focus and; (4) Brenda Aloff's 3-4 second rule - when a dog looses his concentration (which could include bumping into you during heeling, a bad transition or getting from one exercise to another and setting up) it takes 3-4 seconds for their brain to catch up so it is important to allow that time or you will not get your desired focus and work.
This park had so many new and crazy distractions today with the huge road construction going on; many trucks moving about, cars everywhere, people visiting and talking nearby; kids, bikes and my training partner that Beckett associates with fun hikes and runs. You will see how Beckett totally disengages with me and looks at his friend that he loves to run with on hikes.
My problem .... I did not have a plan for what to do if he did disengage. I did use the 4 second rule once before the Open Command Discrimination exercise. I also used his name to help ensure he was paying attention when the command was given. Otherwise I do not like to use their names... I keep it for showing, especially a novice dog.
So how does one deal with loss of focus, attention and disengagement?
Several things can be done but it is important to have a plan for when he disengages based on what you know about your dog.
- First you can reset the exercise you are working on and just start again.
- You can just wait until he re-engages with you.
- OR, you can disengage from the dog and walk or run away.
Knowing Beckett I chose to run away from him since I was quite sure he would not be Ok just being left behind and would break off what the distraction was. This video shows how beautifully it worked. We returned to the same park the following day and found it was even crazier and busier - many small children running, loud noises, children zooming around on bicycles, then 2 big dogs arrived and were play frisbee. Of course my friend and her dog were there also so we could try this new plan for when Beckett disengaged when we were heeling and she passed by us closely many times.
When the 2 big frisbee dogs arrived I merely let Beckett sit and watch from a distance for a short time which ended his fascination with them quickly.
With great appreciation and THANKS to LAURA ROMANIK at Radiant Obedience for her help in reviewing video tapes of our work and for her training help and support. Also to Petra Ford for her amazing online lessons, webinars and feedback.
After all the proofing we did this summer and fall at several places, the first obedience show in over 9 months was quite a learning experience: nightime outdoor show, dark in places especially the back baby gates for GO OUTS and COMMAND DISCRIMINATIONS; everyone in masks and many people around. Lots of pressure on dogs especially a very inexperienced novice dog, Beckett. We now have upped our anti on distractions.