Objective: To educate the volunteer host home on how to safely train and handle a dog in a public setting. In order to achieve this, you will discuss how to successfully train loose-leash walking with attention and how to handle the dog with distractions. As time and location allow, you can discuss: interactions with the public, how to maneuver the dog through different transitions, and evaluate the dog’s stress level. Public access training is team-focused. Discuss recommendations and feedback based on your observations.

Objectives - During Training

• Loose-leash walking and attention on handler - 95% of an outing is LLW
  • How to get past distractions
    • Auto Leave it
    • “Let’s Go” command
• Team-focused - Handler feedback and recommendations
• As Time allows:
  • Interactions with the public - no petting, body blocking, questions from the public
  • Transitions - stairs, doorways, hallways, aisles, and elevators
  • Stress signs - note any stress signs you observe in the dog to the handler - determine time to leave if the dog is stressed

Loose-Leash Walking Description: Discuss the importance of working on loose-leash walking in public. The dog should remain on the side as designated by the handler (heel or side) and give check-ins or eye contact with the handler as well. Teach them how to practice loose-leash walking and how to work through behaviors such as pulling and lack of attention due to distractions. The volunteer should be aware of how they reinforce loose-leash walking through reward timing and placement as well as consistency. Loose-leash walking and attention will be the main focus of all outings. Loose-leash walking and attention should ultimately be an automatic behavior where the dog mimes the direction and pace of the handler while providing slack to the leash.

Talking Points:

1. Treat placement and rate of reinforcement
   1. Down by the knee and on the correct side
   2. Continue to reward if the dog maintains a loose leash
2. What to do when the dog gets ahead
   1. Stop and see if they come back to you on their own
   2. If they do not, call the dog back using their name or “pup pup”
   3. Lure into side or heel or use the command “Side” or “Heel” if the dog knows these commands
   4. When taking a step forward say “Let’s Go” and after 2-3 steps, mark and reward for maintaining a loose leash and staying engaged.
3. Distractions - On the floor, a person, or other dog/animal
   1. Use the command “Let’s Go” to cue forward motion away from a distraction
   2. When the dog continues to move with you, mark and reward for the right decision
   3. If the dog continues to fixate, use the sound “Uh-Uh” or body block
4. Wrong side/tangled - use lure

Public Interaction Description - Prepare the volunteer for situations that may occur while they are out in public. Because they have a dog, they will attract more attention. Help them understand what to say as well as how to handle the dog. The dog should maintain focus on the handler if a person approaches.

Talking Points:

1. What to do when a person approaches and tries to pet

   1. If the dog’s attention isn’t on you, try to get their attention with their name. If you have their attention, reward! Continue rewarding the dog for maintaining focus on you.
   2. You may need to use a body block for 1 of 2 reasons. 1) A person tries to pet the dog or 2) if the dog loses focus and you can’t get their attention back on you

2. What to say if a person asks to pet the dog - Example

   1. “Thank you for asking, but they are working right now and have to focus on me as their handler. That is why they are wearing their cape.”

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