Obedience training
How do you train a dog to stay focused on you around other dogs?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Start at a distance where your dog notices another dog but can still glance back at you within a couple of seconds, since working too close simply overwhelms most dogs before training even begins. Reward that quick glance back heavily, then gradually close the gap by a meter or two every few sessions, always backing off if your dog stops checking in at all.
Finding the working distance
A parked car 40 meters from a dog park entrance is often plenty close enough to start, and the right distance is wherever your dog can notice another dog without fixating or pulling toward it. Every dog's threshold is different, and a dog that reacts strongly may need to start across an entire car park rather than at its edge.
Rewarding attention, not just commands
Marking and rewarding the instant your dog glances at you on their own, before you have even said a word, builds a habit of checking in that pays off far more than repeated sit commands aimed at competing with the other dog for attention. Ten or fifteen of these quick reward moments in a five minute session is a realistic pace.
Closing the gap in small steps
Moving two or three meters closer only after several solid sessions at the current distance, rather than after one good day, keeps a dog's confidence and focus intact. A setback, like suddenly ignoring you again at a distance that used to work fine, just means the last jump was too big and the dog needs one more session at the easier level.
What progress usually looks like over a month
A dog starting at 40 meters from another dog might realistically be working comfortably at 15 to 20 meters within three or four weeks of twice weekly sessions, and expecting faster progress than that often leads to pushing too close too soon and losing ground instead of gaining it.
Key takeaways
- Start far enough away that your dog can notice another dog without losing focus entirely.
- Reward spontaneous glances back at you, not only commands given in response to the distraction.
- Close the distance by only a meter or two after several solid sessions, not one good day.
- A sudden setback usually means the last increase in difficulty was too large.