Foundations • 10–15 minutes
Engagement
Teaching your dog to actively choose you over the environment.
At a glance
Time
10–15 minutes
Focus
Foundations
Coach
Included
Keep sessions short and progress one variable at a time.
Accountability
No active week
On track
Not signed in
Sign in to see cohort status and weekly requirements.
Submission
Not submitted
Requirement
Not due
Scroll for outcome → practice → mistakes → coach.
Target outcome
What you’re aiming for
Your dog offers check-ins voluntarily and can re-engage after mild distractions.
Practice
You need
- High-value treats (small and soft)
- A quiet space to start
- Lead/harness for outside practice
Steps
- 1. Phase 1 — Static: Stand still and say nothing. The moment your dog looks at you: mark (Yes) and treat. Repeat until the dog offers quick check-ins.
- 2. Phase 2 — Reset & re-offer: After each treat, look away/relax and wait again. Reward the next choice to re-engage. Build many short reps, not long stares.
- 3. Phase 3 — Movement: Add one step sideways. Pause. Wait for engagement. Mark and treat. Progress to 2–5 steps, turns, then slow walking.
- 4. Phase 4 — Environment: Move to slightly harder locations (garden → quiet street → park edge). Only change one variable at a time.
- 5. Phase 5 — Mild pressure: Add mild distractions at distance (people/dogs far away). If engagement drops, increase distance and simplify.
Common mistakes
Avoid these
- Using the dog’s name repeatedly instead of waiting for choice.
- Training in high-distraction environments too early.
- Trying to build duration before building repetition and confidence.
- Turning engagement into a cue rather than a voluntary behaviour.
- Changing distance + movement + distractions all at once.
Coach
Ask about your setup and what to do next
Keep it specific: where you’re practising, what the distraction is, and what your dog does.
Lesson Coach
Lesson-scoped guidance only. Short, practical steps.