Training the Dog that Lunges – Focused Attention

Zane a 4 year old Boxer has come to K9 Coach Dog Training Camp because he needs a little help containing himself. He has a habit of lunging out towards other dogs. Zane is big and strong and holding him back is difficult.

First impressions would most likely cause one to think that Zane is aggressive and too big for his own britches. But the truth of the matter is Zane is truly a bully. You remember the bully in grade school. Sounded all big and mean but the minute someone stood up to him or her, the meltdown occurred!

Zane is actually for whatever reason a fearful dog. And by that I mean if something isn’t familiar to him, he will actually jump, taken aback in fear. It can be sounds, a branch blowing in wind, or a statue in someone’s yard as art. Most things like that don’t move at him like a dog does, so his reaction is a bit different.

Lunging at another dog, head butting another dog the way he does, his whole intent is to get the dog away from him. It worked for him in the beginning and so he has continued to practice that behavior.

Key in training for Zane now…. focused attention. Learning how to come and sit, to walk by your side, the “watch me” in the midst of other activity is what will build his confidence. That coupled with a lot of exercise since a tired dog is a good dog!

So far so good. He’s in the beginning stages of getting focus while in distraction. This is the fun part. Seeing a dog “get” the training.

As with so many things in life, the reaction is about the thought. Interrupting his thought and getting it on track and then helping him into the correct action will teach him to physically act different… though he’ll never logic all of that out. It is as simple as focused attention, exercise, and continued practice every day.