Is your dog attentive and focused when you are training in the house, then suddenly seems to ‘forget’ everything they know once they step out the door? Don’t worry, your dog is not broken, you just haven’t proofed the behaviours yet.
What is proofing? Proofing is the process of teaching your dog to respond to cues reliably in various environments and around distractions. If your dog only seems to know ‘sit’ when out and about, this means you have inadvertently proofed it. You have asked for a ‘sit’ in multiple locations and around a variety of distractions. Now you just need to apply this to your dog’s other cues!
As we get excited by the amazing cues our dog knows at home, we are eager to get them out into the real world and practise in more distracting environments. Our eagerness to progress is actually holding us back from truly proofing our dog’s behaviour.
Proofing needs to start at home. Dogs are contextual learners, which means the environment greatly effects how they take in information. Consider when you first taught your dog to sit – was it in the kitchen? Was the oven on? What time of day was it? Were you in a chair or standing? Were you facing the window? All of this any much more can affect how your dog learns the cue ‘sit’.
I recently watched a brilliant ClickerExpo seminar by trainer Ken Ramirez where he talks about controllable distractions. These are distractions that are usually set up by you and can be easily reduced or increased. This is where you start with your dog. This process is also linked to desensitisation.
Some examples of controllable distractions:
- A friend the dog knows well doing distracting things like making noises and moving around
- Noise makers like bells, kids toys, kazoos, etc.
- Your own or a friend’s moving vehicle.
- Remote controlled toys.
- Household items like hoovers, mops, dusters, bin bags etc.
And many more!
As you start to introduce controllable distractions, be sure to make them a low-level distraction at first. It is vital that we are not causing unnecessary worry or stress when introducing distractions. We must respect the dog’s comfort level or else we can risk associating new things and change with being scary. Considering the desensitisation process in your practise with specific cues will support the proofing of that cue.
A recall is a good example of a cue that could do with more proofing. Many people expect their dogs to have a perfect recall in the park because they are amazing with recall at home or in the garden. The best way to approach recall (or any behaviour) in a new environment is to act like the dog has never practised it before. You wouldn’t just let go of the lead in a crowded park with a dog who has never done a recall before! So pretend that is the case with your dog. Practise with minimal distractions in the park and use a long line for safety and success (check out my long line video on YouTube for a how-to).
Proofing is magical because it gives you and your dog the freedom to enjoy everyday activities without worrying about their behaviour. Imagine taking your dog for a hike or enjoying a picnic in the park without constantly feeling stressed or embarrassed. By considering proofing in your training, you can have peace of mind knowing that your companion will reliably listen and respond to you, no matter the distractions around.
So, if you’re tired of your dog only knowing how to sit when you’re trying to impress your friend at the park, it’s time to unlock the magic of proofing. By understanding the importance of proofing and starting with manageable distractions at home, you’ll be paving the way for a more resilient and reliable dog. Need help? Get in touch with a force-free professional near you. If you’re in West London, work with me!
