ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- Attention

Attention

One of the most common problems I hear is "As soon as my dog and I walk out the door, I cease to exist. My dog is so distracted by all the sights, sounds, and events outside, I can't get his attention, no matter what kind of treat I use." The problem here isn't the quality of reinforcer (though of course that's important). The problem is that the dog hasn't learned to focus on you in distracting situations.

Focus is a learned behavior. It must be taught, step by step. It is the most important behavior you'll ever teach, because it is a prerequisite to every other behavior. If you cannot get and maintain the dog's attention -- especially in distracting situations -- how can you get any other behavior? Your dog's very life may depend upon the strength of this behavior.

This behavior is excellent preparation for attending an obedience class. Can you imagine how distracting a class must be to a dog? All those new dogs! All those new people! All those great smells! All those wonderful treats everywhere! The program below can help you teach your dog to focus before he gets to class. Spend a week or two taking the dog to a new location every night. By the time you get to class, the dog will have generalized the focus behavior and will be able to concentrate during class.

Instructions:

The following step-by-step list is grouped into "phases." You may progress as quickly or as slowly as you would like. The important thing is that you do the steps IN ORDER.

Do not skip steps.
Do at least 10 repetitions at each step. If this skill is difficult for your dog, do more. Do not do fewer than 10 repetitions.
If your dog is "bored," use a higher-value reinforcer.
Treat after EVERY click.
Toss (or drop) the treat, if necessary, to set the dog up for the next repetition.
It is extremely important to practice this behavior in new locations. The more locations you visit, the more easily the behavior is generalized.
Heavily praise freely-offered eye contact whenever it occurs. Smile and tell the dog how wonderful he is.

Phase One - Ignoring treats, and basic eye contact

	In the living room, kneel down with your dog. Hold an especially yummy treat in your fist and offer it to the dog. Allow the dog to sniff and lick and try to get the treat, but don't give it to him. The instant he pauses, click and offer the treat.
	Repeat the above step. This time, click when the dog has ignored the treat for a full second.
	Hold a yummy treat in your closed fist. Hold your fist out away from your body. Wait until the dog glances at you, then click. Even an eye flicker in your direction is enough.
	Repeat the above step in the kitchen.
	Again, in the kitchen, hold a treat away from your body, and click for eye contact. This time, wait for half a second of eye contact before clicking. Note: Your dog may be uncomfortable offering eye contact. You may have to do a set of repetitions with just a quarter of a second of eye contact, then half a second. This is all right - eye contact is a matter of trust. Do not progress until your dog will hold eye contact for half a second.
	Repeat the above step, clicking for a full second of eye contact.
	Move to the backyard. At this point, it's not necessary to hold a treat in your fist. Simply wait for, and click for, eye contact. For this set of repetitions, click for just a glance.
	Repeat the above step, clicking for half a second of eye contact.
	Repeat again, clicking for a full second of eye contact.

Phase two - Take it on the road

In this phase, you will "take it on the road" so the dog learns to focus on you even in new, distracting situations.

Don't cue the dog, lure him, pat your leg, call his name, or try in anyway to get the dog's attention. This should be an offered behavior, repeated because it's reinforced.
Choose locations where you can be far away from distractions, but can gradually move closer.
Keep the dog on a regular six-foot leash, and stand in a boring place where he can't reinforce himself. You want him to figure out that *you* are the most exciting thing in his environment.
Be patient. At the first location, it may take half an hour for your dog to focus on you. However, if you visit a new location each evening, you'll find that time decreases very quickly.

	Drive to a new location, such as the deserted end of the PetSmart parking lot. Simply wait for, and click for, eye contact. For this set of repetitions, click for just a glance.
	Repeat the above step, clicking for half a second of eye contact.
	Repeat again, clicking for a full second of eye contact.
	If you have time, move a few feet closer to the distractions and repeat the cycle.
	Drive to a new location. Simply wait for, and click for, eye contact. For this set of repetitions, click for just a glance.
	Repeat the above step, clicking for half a second of eye contact. * Repeat again, clicking for a full second of eye contact.
	If you have time, move a few feet closer to the distractions and repeat the cycle.
	Drive to a third new location. Simply wait for, and click for, eye contact. For this set of repetitions, click for just a glance.
	Repeat the above step, clicking for half a second of eye contact.
	Repeat again, clicking for a full second of eye contact.
	If you have time, move a few feet closer to the distractions and repeat the cycle.

Repeat this sequence of three sets of repetitions in a new environment as often as you can. The more you practice, the faster your dog will focus on you.

This article lists two phases, but attention training doesn't stop here. You can build up to long durations (many, many minutes) of completely steady -- no glances away even with major distractions.

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