Training your dog can be a lot more effective-and even more fun-when you have some extra hands to help out. Helpers can support you in many ways, but to make the most of their time, it’s important to have a clear plan. Knowing exactly what behaviors you want to work on and how your helper can assist will make the training session smoother and more productive.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Training with a Helper
- What specific behaviors am I focusing on right now?
- Which behaviors would benefit from having extra help?
- What exactly can my helper do to support me with each behavior? Think about the criteria for each behavior and how you need to change them
How to Control Helper Distance from Your Dog
- Work your dog in a designated space, like a fenced yard or training area.
- If your dog gets super excited around people, use a barrier like a link chain fence, ring gates or wire Xpen between your dog and the helper at first
- Use targets such as soccer cones or plant pots to mark locations for helpers and dogs.
- Position your dog at one marker and the helper at another, using a line of paw targets or cones to guide following or leading distances or pathways to follow.
Ways Helpers Can Support Your Training
Here are some practical ideas for how helpers can pitch in:
- Set up equipment like cones, targets, or props before training starts.
- Handle the dog during breaks: hold the leash, take your dog to their pen, crate, or on a short sniff walk to relax.
- Hold or position training props-this keeps things organized and efficient.
- Anchor the leash or long line to help control your dog’s movement.
- Manage the long line while moving, so you can focus on cues and body language.
- Count out treats in advance so you’re ready to reward without delay.
- Be your spotter to alert you of distractions like oncoming dogs or children.
- Feed or mark the dog right after you give a cue, ensuring clear communication.
- Monitor timing by counting in their head or using a timer on their phone.
- Control sound recordings-adjust timing and volume to simulate distractions.
- Be a target by holding out a hand or a target stick for your dog to focus on or the object for your dog to run around.
- Greet your dog with affection in a controlled way to reinforce calm behavior.
- Act as a moving physical barrier to gently interrupt or redirect people who approach your dog.
- Serve as a visual barrier by stepping between your dog and distractions, or placing fake decoy dogs or dolls.
- Help manage other distractions like children or other dogs by guiding their placement and movement.
- Bring their own dog and human social dog or child as a controlled distraction to practice focus.
- Film your training session so you can review and improve your technique.
- Offer suggestions for adjusting the training environment or process based on what they observe.
Creating Controlled Distractions to Help Your Dog Desensitize
Helpers can also assist by introducing controlled distractions to help your dog build confidence and focus:
- Moving or changing the position of the food dish.
- Rolling, bouncing, or tossing balls and toys nearby.
- Pushing strollers, carts, or walkers at a distance.
- Pulling a skateboard on a leash.
- Playing with a flirt pole from afar.
- Changing their body language: standing facing away, turning toward your dog, bending down, or using different voice tones (normal, whisper, sing, excited).
- Walking beside, ahead of, or behind you during training walks.
- Walking their own dog near your dog to simulate real-world distractions.
By thoughtfully involving helpers in your dog’s training, you create a richer, more controlled learning environment. This teamwork not only speeds up progress but also makes training a positive experience for everyone involved-including your furry friend!
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