German Shepherd Puppy Training - Environmental Distractions

The Importance of Environmental Distractions

Environmental distractions are set up to help your puppy learn to deal with the world around them. Another way to use environmental distractions is to help proof your dogs training. However for the purpose of this article we are talking about socializing your puppy with things they may or may not encounter in the real world.

Envrionmental distractions should be introduced to your puppy as soon as your puppy settles in. If you have an adolescent or adult dog you can also introduce them to environmental distractions.

An example of a environmental distraction would be a small plastic swimming pool filled with plastic water bottles. Another example would be setting up one of those inflated holiday sets in your yard. Adding a bicycle that wasn't there before would also be an example.

Exposing Your Puppy to Environmental Distractions in a Safe Manner

You could just as easily take your puppy to a busy park or a daycare or somewhere that has lots of items, people and other dogs. However setting up the distractions in your backyard allows you to control how your puppy is introduced to them. You want to have this control because you want to make the experience as positive as possible for them.

A popular exercise is to set up three or four items your puppy has never seen before and lay treats around them. When you let your puppy out into the area encourage them to explore by showing them there is food around the items.

You should allow your puppy to explore the items on their own terms. Do not push them or try too hard. Let them explore them and if they are interested that's great, if not, that's not a big deal.

You should only use items that you really don't care about that much. Puppies will chew, pee, and possibly poop on the items so you don't want to use your favorite shirt.

Environmental Distractions are Especially Important for Working Prospects

Working dogs must have confidence or what some people refer to as "good nerves." Introducing environmental distractions at an early age can help develop a dog with "good nerves." As you introduce your working dog to distractions you should also think about distractions they will be introduced to during the work they will be doing. If it is a working dog sport like MondioRing Sport your dog will be introduced to a lot of environmental distractions that range from jumping over tunnels to bite the decoy to running through water with milk jugs in it to running through water bottles strung together to bite the decoy.

Most importantly you should take it slow and allow your puppy to get used to the distractions on their own terms. This cannot be stressed enough. Rushing into the exercises may backfire on you and cause your puppy to become fearful of the items. Take it slow and steady.

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