Training Terms
Distraction
Anything in the environment that competes for the dog's attention or changes the difficulty of a task.
In Review — Pending Editorial ApprovalWhat It Means in Practice
Distractions can be sounds, smells, movement, other animals, people, or environmental features. The handler increases distraction gradually during proofing.
What It Does Not Always Mean
Distraction is not a sign of a bad dog — it is a normal part of the environment that the dog must learn to work around.
Why Context Matters
What is distracting varies by dog and context. A distraction that is minor for one dog may be overwhelming for another.
Commonly Confused With
Trigger
A trigger causes an emotional or behavioural response. A distraction competes for attention but may not cause an emotional response.
Examples
- 1A handler adds distraction by having a helper walk past during a stay.
- 2A handler practices recall around increasing levels of environmental activity.