In the official Canine Good Citizen book, 鈥�,鈥� I described a procedure that I called 鈥淪it and Watch.鈥� This is for dogs who lunge on leash when they see other dogs, or for dogs who become overly excited when other dogs pass by.
It works like this:
- Teach your dog to sit-stay in a non-distracting setting with no dogs.
- When the sit-stay is reliable, you鈥檙e ready to try this with distractions. Go to a place where there are other dogs on leash.
- As another dog approaches, tell your dog to sit and 鈥渨atch me.鈥�
- Reward the dog for sitting (with a praise and treat).
- When the other dog has passed by, you and your dog can begin walking again.
This past weekend, as Wyn and I approached a dog owner with a hound-mix, I saw the dog start to pull and get out of control. The dog's owner reached in her pocket, pulled out a treat, and in a sweet voice, after telling the dog to sit, said, 鈥渕ind your own business, Charlie.鈥�
鈥淪it and Watch鈥� worked beautifully for her. When we passed by, she and her dog resumed their walk.
The behavioral principle behind 鈥淪it and Watch鈥� is called DRI; this means聽DifferentialReinforcement of an聽Incompatible Behavior. If the dog is sitting and watching the owner, it can't be lunging.
For other behavioral tips such as Sit and Watch, check out the official CGC book,聽, or the official CGC puppy book, .聽Find a and take the Canine Good Citizen test for your dog.