The key to teaching your dog to maintain a behavior consistently, no matter the environment, is to practice the behavior with distractions present. Before you begin to train with distractions, first ensure that your dog can perform the settle behavior fluently at home (don't forget to train in different rooms of the house to help your dog generalize the behavior). Once your dog is skilled with this behavior in a controlled setting, gradually introduce and reward him for maintaining his composure amid distractions that mimic real-world scenarios. 

In this video, KPA CTP Amber Quann is teaching a guardian and her dog, Penny, how to achieve a reliable settle behavior in a brewery setting. Amber starts by introducing common distractions, such as someone pulling out a chair or walking nearby, while the guardian rewards Penny for staying calm and focused. As Penny learns to associate staying on the mat amid distractions with a rewarding experience, Penny’s guardian practices disengaging from Penny by taking a sip of a drink or engaging in conversation with a dining companion. This exercise teaches Penny that when her guardian is engaged in other activities, she can stay relaxed and settled on her mat.

Teach your dog to go out and about safely in any environment with Raise the Bar: Reliable Dog Behavior Anywhere with Amber Quann. This KPA LIVE group virtual class equips  you with the skills you need to instill rock-solid behaviors both inside and outside the home. Classes will be on Zoom, with a coordinated video-based curriculum that guides you each week beginning March 12. 

Happy Training!