When we’re walking our dogs, we’ll often be near distractions. I’ve got a short video with a tip to help you set your dog up for success.
In the video, I’m walking with Tater on a leash so we can rehearse success. The details on why Tater is back on lead are in my previous blog post for you… it might have something to do with cliff diving potatoes and chipmunks.
The quick tip I have is simple but powerful.
If you are walking somewhere where you know there’s going to be a distraction, keep your dog on the opposite side of the distraction.
When there is a distraction on the right, your dog walks on the left. If there is a distraction on the left, your dog walks on the right. It allows you to put yourself between your dog and the distraction. So say you are passing another dog, put your dog on the opposite side. A great behaviour to teach your dog is to switch sides on cue when you are walking.
The bottom line is that if there are distractions on one side and your dog is on the other, there is a higher probability of success.
If I were walking where there were a lot of distractions, I’d further my chance for success by putting my dog on a head halter rather than a flat collar or harness.
As you can see in the video, Tater walks nicely on a leash. There’s no pulling. If you want to know where to start, it’s with your dog’s Reinforcement Zone, and you can review my vlog post “How do I Stop My Dog from Pulling on the Leash?“.
Coming up, I’ll share how I’m transitioning to off leash walking with Tater. We want to always be evaluating “where is the value” for the dog. Is it with us or the environment? We want to build tons of value for good choices before giving our dog the option of making an undesirable choice (like chasing chipmunks).
Do you walk with your dog on the opposite side of distractions, or is it something you are going to try? Let me know in the comments. If you are experienced and have a cue for your dog to switch sides when walking, let us know what cues you use. My cues are “side” for my right and “close” for my left.
Today I am grateful for a haircut for 16 1/2 year old Encore as her dense undercoat created a extra unnecessary weight for her to carry around in the hot, humid Ontario summer… especially once that coat got wet and swimming is her most favourite summertime activity.
I do practice this but not all the time (bad on me!) and it does help a lot
Practicing both sides, good advice to have them on the off side not close side to distractions
No. I’m training with obedience trials in mind where left side walking is the requirement. People in my country, Australia, mostly walk their dogs on the left and keep left on paths so left is usually best as the dogs will be on the outside. If people walk dogs on harnesses, they are in front so it makes no difference which side my dog is on.
I live in Mexico where everyone keeps their dogs in the front behind gates which come right up to the sidewalk. The dogs all bark like crazy and you know when someone is coming from a block away. My girl is afraid of loud noises but is getting used to cars. You could say that she trained me on switching sides. I know when we are coming to a house with dogs because she will drop behind me and try to switch. After “danger” is behind us, she switches back. This has given me the idea to introduce a cue so that she switches on command.
Unfortunately this option won’t work for us as I use a large mobility scooter. Happy to hear other ideas.
I use left and right, which my dog gets. But how can I get him to stay on that side? Even at home, if he’s had his treat for getting it correct or no treat is coming to try for some duration, he just keeps going left-right-left… incessantly…
If there was distraction, he’d likely ignore me half the time. So transitioning this to the outside is still a way off.
I taught my boy close (left)this side(right)with me (just to walk with me any position)behind (so I go round corners first or down stairs first)
What do I do when I live in town and my puppie is afraid of the sound of cars/semi trucks and Jake braking?
She walks fine in the house and back yard but as soon as we leave the back yard the fear comes out.
I get some snacks to buy my dog attentions 😀 if not, the walk will take longer time than usual!
My 4 month old puppy has been outside walking for about 4 weeks. He likes to sniff everywhere on his walks. I have allowed him to do this to learn about his environment. My bad. I will start to switch his side depending upon the car/people/bike/other animal distractions. Any suggestion to help with the distraction of grass on both sides of the sidewalk?
I use ‘heel’ and ‘side’……but will go back and retrain it!!
I plan to use ‘switch’ when we get good at it👍🏻
Thanks for the training ideas
I use “left” and “right” for cues. Not very original but it works great. 🤗
Hi Susan ! Thank you so much for all your advices ! I see quick changes in my dogs and is great ! But how do you do if you have 2 dogs on leash and both get distracted easilly, specially if they see a squirrel or cat… Do I put both in the same side ? My RZs are one in the left and one in the right.. Thank you !
I use “omgaan” = Dutch for “switch”. Very helpful when hiking or biking and making room to passengers or as Susan explains challenging distractions. Also a fun/nice exercise to practice in daily walks.
Will definitely remind myself to do this when we get back to walking in urban environment.
That’s a great tip! Thanks!
This is a great idea. I am raising a service dog puppy for the blind. While I can do this, because I can see the distraction coming, her blind person will not be able to do so. How do I know when to go back to staying on the same side as the distraction and how do I do that ?
Great advice! thank you!
Thank you all for your input and advice which I will try. I have a 3 year old Sealyham Terrier who is really alert and social.
I haven’t taught him how to switch sides I guide him with the leash so he is on the opposite side. If there are parked cars on the street I will use them to block the distraction.
Thanks Susan. This is a great tip and I usually remember to do it when I am walking only one of my dogs. What should I do when I walk both of them? I usually have one on each side. Here is a story of a time when I forgot to put my dog on the opposite side of a dad walking towards us at 90* with his kids and carrying a sled. My dog was nervous and automatically went to my other side (smart girl) but I put her back on the left! She immediately started barking at the dad and kids. Man, did I feel stupid! I apologized to them and HER!
I started doing this about a year ago and it makes a big difference. I started this to gain some extra distance but what I really like is that if she turns her head to look at the distraction she is turned toward me and it’s much easier to get her attention on me. If she’s on the other side she’s facing away when she looks at the distraction.
I cannot believe I have done the opposite for so long! (Walking my dog on the distraction side!) My poor dog 🙁
Another haha moment! Thank you!
Thanks for this important tip. Having an Afghan Hound who looks at distractions with a 20/20 gaze on all sides is challenging, especially in my urban area. I will try to have him switch sides away from the street. My idea is inspired by Carla Simon’s high tones for certain scent detection cues such as bipbipbip so i will use different tones (not words) for each side. See what happens…
Thanks again!
Great tip. I never thought to do this. Will work on training Finn to switch. Thank you!
I use ‘heel’ for left side and ‘other side’ for right but I have never thought to use that cue for passing a distraction. How thick am I?!
Thank you once again Susan
I will be trying this. My problem to correct. was allowing my dog ”freedom” to be slightly ahead of me just to allow her to have some time to sniff and explore on walks;, Do I stop doing this until the behavior I want is under control? Or can I combine both behaviors?
Karen – I do the same with my Spaniel… always allow him to walk in front and sniff (he pulls like a train) and he crosses sides all the time! I pretend I have taught him to “quarter” but really it’s him following a scent!! Was wondering if 8 should shorten lead and insist he walks in RZ.
My dogs’ cue to move from one side of me to the other is “switch”, used for either side of me.
I ran a walk with my boys.
I use “over” when I want them to swap sides when passing distraction or just to keep them thinking.
I also use “side” for left hip and “Wit” for right hip.
For guidance depending on the situation I may also lead with my hand placed on side I want them.
I have problems with my dog jumping and chasing frogs after it rains.
Frogs are everywhere
Any advise
Yes, I always try to be between my dogs and the distractions.
Would love to see a pic of Encore with her new “do.”
Hi Shelia, Susan has a photo of Encore with her new ‘do’ on her Facebook timeline:
https://www.facebook.com/susan.garrett1/posts/10222812355636299