When it comes to getting a young puppy’s attention outdoors, we are generally limited to three things. The first is to create distance, to be at what I call, “a cooler orbit.” If things are too exciting and your puppy becomes overwhelmed, chances are you’re too close to whatever is derailing him. Let’s face it, the only proximity you want is to you.
“Let’s face it, the only proximity you want is to you.”
Nevertheless, moving away from something scary or exciting is the fastest way to help a puppy get grounded and calm. You can test this by moving 10 to 12 feet away from whatever is distracting him. As puppies get their bearing and calm down they usually, “shake it off,” and look up as if to say, “Ok, I’m back.”
The second way to get or maintain your puppy’s attention outdoors is to use high value treats and literally, “show him the money,” when you need to. This has limited value because once you have his attention, your puppy needs to know what to do next. This of course, comes with training. In the beginning that momentary acknowledgement of your existence is all you may get so use it to quickly move him away from the distraction. I suggest you move quickly.
The third and superior option is to train your puppy to focus on you, to know where you are at all times, and to race back at a moment’s notice. If your puppy has this ability to be, “Dialed-In,” your training can move forward quickly and distractions become a thing of the past. If getting your puppy’s attention in busy places you
Teaching a puppy what to do with his eyes and where to be with his body is life changing for a puppy. It sets the stage for learning more complex behaviors and literally accelerates learning. If getting and keeping your puppy’s attention outdoors is challenging, you may want to explore my 1-Week Puppy Boot Camp.
