Service dogs and distractions: The top mistakes we see.

When it comes to teaching service dogs to focus around distractions there are a handful of common mistakes we see. This video is talking about what they are and how to avoid them.

[@debbiesmith2207]

Thank you so much for making these videos! I think this method is great for pets as well as service dogs. My Golden is a great little student. We both enjoy this method ❤

[@GlenHunt]

Bribe vs reward is a question I didn't know I had. Awesome clarification!

[@laurenaline7]

My SDIT was attacked while we were training in a store when he was 10 months he is now 11 months I pulled him from public access training and gave him time to recover and then started training from home then the park then pet friendly places that don’t tend to have dogs every time we have encountered another dog he doesn’t get fearful but very curios and sometimes a Lil nervous I have been trying to work on this and I do see Improvement but I don’t want to rush it or do something that isn’t good for him just any advice would be soo appreciated

[@cailynrossiter5569]

So what would you do instead of a "leave it"? I totally agree that it should be used sparingly but what would you do instead?

[@katgagnon4509]

Try desensitizing training instead so that your dog knows to not get too distracted by things out and about when he/she is working. That way it is more like an automatic behavior vs something you have to tell your SD to do. Hope this helped.

[@debbiesmith2207]

Eye contact learned early on. She made a video about this . Basically, restrain the pup in a controlled environment with planted distraction until the dog decides to look at you,click, reward.