Jaxx the Distracted German Shepherd

Distractions are the bane of a dog owner’s existence. Squirrels, people, other dogs, cars, compost, and a number of other things can cause an obedient, well-behaved dog to stray. Owners who are able to get their dog to listen to commands inside a quiet home may be unable to do so outside the home.

But for the safety of everyone involved, including the dog, the ability to keep a dog’s attention is necessary.

Keeping a dog focused on the owner instead of everything else around them is what keeps a dog with aggressive tendencies from attacking a child. It keeps hyperactive dogs from accosting visitors or barking non-stop at the window. It keeps diggers from ruining yards, and it keeps anxious dogs feeling calm and secure while in their owner’s presence.

In Jaxx’s case, exceptional in-home focus training is what will keep him from jumping, barking, and running away from home.

When I first met Jaxx for an in-home consultation, his owners had to restrain him. He whined, barked, and pulled on the leash—he was focused on me, the distraction, instead of his owners. After about fifteen minutes, he calmed down and lay next to his owners, but he was still on edge, still focused on me. His owners told me he shows a lot of anxious excitement whenever visitors are present, and if he runs up to them or runs outside, he won’t return on command.

To help Jaxx understand what his owners need from him, we’ll work together to shift his focus. Through basic obedience training, Jaxx will learn to keep an ear out for his owners’ voices. This begins with training in the home, away from distractions, until Jaxx’s response is reliable. Then we’ll slowly move out of the home, around distractions, and work with him until he’s consistent outside of the home.

This training, combined with proper leash-handling techniques and minimal roaming, will allow Jaxx’s owners to trust him and keep Jaxx’s focus where it needs to be—away from distractions and on his owners.

If your dog is easily distracted, give James River Dog Training a call at 800.649.7297. We’ll discuss your training needs, set up an in-home consultation, and create a training plan that’s right for you.