What this can look like
- Inconsistent sit, stay, or place
- Difficulty settling
- Losing focus around distractions
A useful place to begin
1
Practice short repetitions in predictable routines.
2
Increase distractions only after the response is clear in easier settings.
Exact first steps
1
Choose one daily routine—opening the door, preparing food, or greeting a guest—and decide which simple behavior you want instead.
2
Practice that behavior for three to five short repetitions before the real event, then reward it during the routine.
3
If the cue fails twice, make the environment easier. Move farther from the distraction or shorten the duration before trying again.
Every dog and situation is different. This information is educational and does not promise a specific behavioral outcome.