Focus is Focus and Walks are Walks

Because I have worked with focus training for years now, I am often asked about focus on walks.  People are often surprised at my answer.  I never work on focus training when I am walking or hiking with my dogs.  I make a very clear distinction between training and trials where my dog and I need to be 100% focused on each other (and the task), and relaxation when we walk and hike together.  

Going out to walk my dogs is usually the best part of my day.  Whether we stay in our neighborhood or get out to one of the many trails around us, I enjoy the break from day to day responsibilities.  And I want it to be as relaxing and enjoyable for my dogs as it is for me.  The only formal cues I use are those absolutely necessary for our safety and well-being.  I prefer that my dogs have the opportunity to see and smell the world around them at a relaxing pace.  

The skills I teach my dogs so that we can mutually enjoy our walks together are: 1) loose leash walking, 2) leave gross stuff alone, 3) come close when I need you to, and 4) pass others (human and canine) politely.  When people ask about focus training for walks they are really talking about teaching these useful life skills.  While this is not a huge list, it definitely takes some training and effort to establish and maintain these skills.  It’s time well spent for the payoff of years and years of relaxing walks.  

Focus training, on the other hand, is about intense mutual interaction and concentration.  Focus requires great mental effort from both parties.  It can be quite rewarding, but it is not relaxing.  Teaching your dog to focus on you is a big training task.  It takes time and consistent effort.  Focus is the framework for all my training sessions.  No focus, no training.  That’s a BIG commitment!  Trust me, the payoff is a lifetime cooperative training partnership and is so worth the effort.  

Both sets of skills are important to having a happy and healthy relationship with your dog.  It is also important to be clear on when you need one set and when you need the other.  If you want to know more about developing and nurturing focus skills join me for my June session of Get Focused! at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy.  Registration opens May 22.

Deborah Jones, Ph.D. is a retired psychology professor who now trains animals full-time.  She has been training for 25+ years and focuses on positive reinforcement based methods.  Deb has written 12 books on dog training and has helped developed several DVD series.  She has also trained and shown multiple breeds to high level titles in agility, rally, and obedience.  She is currently teaching online training classes and webinars at www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com.  Visit her website at www.k9infocus.com for more information.