Do you have a dog who is your best friend at home and a constant shadow around the house? He follows you, sleeps beside you, and is eager to play together.
But once you leave the house, he might not be as adoring.
When you put on his leash and harness and open the door, he acts like he does not know you. He pulls on the leash and seems more interested in every other person or dog than you.
Want to start working on this and get a dog who will pay attention and focus during dog walks?
Here is a step-by-step plan to teach your dog to focus:
Forget about commands
A big mistake we make is attempting to give commands when the dog isn’t focusing on us. He finds everything more exciting than you. Telling your dog what to do will not make you more desirable and vital.
Your dog is more interested in other people and dogs because he enjoys new scents, new input, and new fun.
If all you can offer him is “work,” he will not be very keen on engaging with you.
Be fun
Take your dog’s favorite toys and delicious treats on the walk. Ideally, these treats should be something he never gets for any other occasion.
You can use hot dogs, cooked chicken, roast beef, cheese, ham, etc. Make the pieces small and take plenty.
Now, you give the treats periodically while you are out and about. Remember that you do not want to expect too much for now.
Don’t give your dog commands—sit, wait, stay, or leave it. You need to be pure fun!
So, feed him treats generously and play with his toys.
Pick easy destinations
Don’t overwhelm your dog and put him in a situation where he is too distracted to eat your treats.
Start with places that capture your dog’s attention, such as a quiet park or an empty parking lot.
If you can’t get your dog to focus on you in front of your house, don’t expect him to pay attention while you are at the dog park.
Again, give him treats and play with him.
Make it a little harder
If your dog can eat treats and play with toys in less crowded places, you can take it up a notch.
Pick a bit busier area and practice getting him to pay attention to you there.
Don’t let your dog enjoy bad choices
If your dog happens to stop playing with you and strains towards another dog or human, do not let him go over and say hello. Otherwise, he will learn I get to decide who I want to greet if I refuse to pay attention.
That is precisely what you don’t want your dog to learn. You want your dog to understand that he must always focus during dog walks.
If your dog gets distracted, move away from it. See if distance helps it focus on you.
Don’t nag
You must be fun and upbeat.
If you regularly tell your dog, “No/Watch Me/Stop That/Uh-Uh,” he will not enjoy your company.
Do not scold your dog for being distracted. Instead, make the training easy for your dog to focus on you.
Mix it up
Dogs do not understand that the same behavior can occur in many places.
If you only practice in one location, your dog will get good at paying attention in that place.
The first time you take him elsewhere, he will fail to show you the same amount of focus.
So, vary where you have him eat treats and play with toys.
Add commands
After your dog can eat special treats and play in various locations, it’s time to introduce basic obedience commands.
Keep the obedience drills quick and fun. For example, don’t make him hold a sit-stay for 5 minutes.
Instead, ask your dog to sit and reward him with delicious treats. Give the dog a few commands, but don’t overdo it.
You want your dog to enjoy training sessions.
Take the show on the road
Now that your dog can pay attention and follow a few commands in more relaxed situations, the difficulty of the training environment will gradually increase.
Do not go straight from a remote parking lot to a dog park. To help your dog adjust successfully, raise the challenge incrementally.
Be patient
If your dog has spent his whole life ignoring you outside, do not expect him to make a complete change within a week.
The longer your dog’s history of ignoring you, the longer it will take to counter it with training. Expect to train several times a week for one or two months before your dog masters the new habit and focuses during dog walks.
Common distractions
Common dog walking distractions include other dogs, people, squirrels or other small animals, unfamiliar scents, loud noises, and moving vehicles.
To overcome these distractions, you can work on training your dog to focus on you using positive reinforcement, treats, and consistent commands.
Gradually exposing your dog to these distractions in a controlled environment can also help desensitize them over time.
Improve focus during dog walks
Improving focus during dog walks can involve consistent practice, patience, and positive reinforcement.
Establishing clear communication with your dog and being consistent with commands and rewards is essential.
Understanding your dog’s needs and behavior can also help tailor the training approach for better results.
Gradually increasing difficulty and distractions in training sessions can also help your dog generalize their training to different environments and situations.
Tailor training to your dog’s needs
Understanding the breed or individual temperament is key to ensuring focus and a safe, enjoyable experience when walking dogs.
Here are some tailored approaches for different breeds and their specific needs:
High-energy breeds
High-energy breeds like Border Collies and Belgian Malinois often thrive on physical exercise and mental stimulation.
During walks, it’s beneficial to incorporate interactive activities.
For example, bring along a favorite toy and engage in short game sessions, such as fetch or tug-of-war.
Additionally, varying the route can keep them mentally stimulated. Instead of a straight path, choose a trail with different smells and sights, as this can help maintain their interest and focus.
Scent-driven breeds
Breeds known for their scent-tracking abilities, such as Bloodhounds and Beagles, can easily become distracted by interesting scents.
Consider allowing some structured “sniffing time” during the walk to keep their focus.
Designate periods where they can freely explore scents without pulling on the leash, followed by periods of focused walking.
Using treats for good behavior can also help recalibrate their attention back to you when they stray off course.
Small breeds with big personalities
Smaller breeds like Dachshunds and Chihuahuas may have strong personalities but lower stamina than larger breeds.
They can benefit from shorter, more frequent walks that include varied environments.
Start with a quiet route to calm them and gradually introduce more stimulating areas.
Additionally, keeping walks engaging with gentle encouragement can help maintain their focus.
Use cheerful tones and treat rewards to reinforce good behavior when they pay attention.
Sensitive breeds
Sensitive breeds like Greyhounds and Whippets may become overwhelmed by loud noises or chaotic environments.
A tailored approach for them would be to choose quieter, less crowded walking routes. Employing calming techniques, such as a soft voice and gentle leash guidance, can help reassure them.
If they seem anxious, take breaks to allow them to observe their surroundings without pressure, gradually easing them back into more active walking.
Stubborn or independent breeds
Independent breeds like Bulldogs and Fox Terriers can sometimes respond slowly to commands during walks.
To keep their focus, using high-value treats or favorite toys as rewards can motivate them to engage.
Practicing basic commands before walks—like sit or stay—can help reinforce listening.
Also, being consistent with commands and avoiding harsh corrections will encourage a more cooperative demeanor during walks.
By adapting the approach based on the individual dog’s breed characteristics and temperament, dog owners can ensure a more focused and fulfilling walking experience.
Be consistent
Patience, consistency, and a positive tone are vital components of effective dog training.
Like humans, dogs learn at their own pace, and expecting immediate results can frustrate the trainer and the pet.
By maintaining a patient approach, trainers create a positive learning environment that encourages dogs to explore new commands and behaviors without fear or anxiety.
Consistency in commands, cues, and routines reinforces learning, helping dogs understand what is expected of them.
When both patience and consistency are prioritized, the training process becomes smoother, strengthening the bond between the owner and the dog, and ultimately leading to a well-mannered and happy companion.
Steffi Trott is a professional dog trainer from Albuquerque, NM. She specializes in a play-based approach to training that lets dogs and owners have fun and work together as a team. She offers online classes at spiritdogtraining.com.