Obedience training
What are the three Ds in dog training?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
The three Ds are duration, distance and distraction: how long an action lasts, how far away the handler is and what else competes for attention. They help you describe changes in difficulty. Work on a manageable change while keeping other demands easy, rather than increasing everything together.
Describe the demand clearly
For a stay, duration means time holding the position; distance means separation from you; distraction might be nearby movement or sound. They are not interchangeable. Recall is a moving response, so do not describe a long held stay as though it were the recall itself.
Use an adjustable practice plan
Write what changed since the last comfortable attempt. An illustrative note might say handler stepped farther away while another person entered. That shows two changes and gives you a reason to simplify. A fixed extra meter, five seconds or eighty-percent threshold is not a universal progression rule.
Reduce difficulty when necessary
A dog struggling with a new demand may need a shorter hold, less distance or quieter surroundings. Reward the response you intend and allow breaks. Do not insist on several failures before adjusting, or require one final repetition when the dog is already struggling. Keep ordinary lead and barrier safety separate from the training exercise.
Key takeaways
- Name the specific demand being changed.
- Keep other demands manageable.
- Use the response to adjust, not a compulsory failure count.