A common challenge dog owners here in Savannah, GA encounter can be captured in the statement: “My dog listens really well, but he won’t listen when distracted!” Firstly, let’s address the notion that if your dog doesn’t listen when distracted, then he doesn’t truly listen well. The reason behind this is quite simple: context. Dogs inhabit a world where context holds immense significance. If you teach your dog to come when called in the serene confines of a quiet living room, armed with a treat and devoid of distractions, that’s a good start. However, when the scenario shifts dramatically—now you find yourself in the backyard, your dog off-leash, while the neighbor’s dog is incessantly barking through the fence—and your dog fails to respond to your call, it's not an act of disobedience, nor is it a display of naughtiness or a lack of attentiveness. It's simply because you haven’t adequately trained your dog to heed your commands amidst a myriad of variables: off-leash freedom, the presence of another dog, the absence of a treat incentive, and so forth.
If you aspire to have a dog who consistently obeys commands, it becomes imperative not only to demonstrate what you want your dog to do but also to expose them to varied contexts repeatedly. You must illustrate to your dog through copious repetitions that the same rules apply, regardless of the circumstances. It’s essential to showcase to your canine companion that the rules remain steadfast whether you're in the front yard, the back yard, the park, or the trail. Your dog needs to understand that obedience is expected even when confronted with distractions like encountering another dog, the sound of a knock on the door, the allure of a passing squirrel, or simply when they’re not in the mood to listen.
There are no shortcuts, no circumventions. You must put in the effort to conduct numerous repetitions across diverse contexts, ensuring that your dog comprehends and follows through under each scenario.
Savannah dog owners, by diligently adhering to this approach and changing up this aspect of your recall training and you'll have a dog who listens to you no matter what, no matter where!
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