Tri-Tronics G2 Basic Training - Manual (Page 17)

Step Six.
Continue your training repetitions, calling your dog away from stronger and
stronger distractions. When the long leash remains slack most of the time
because you don’t need to help the dog with it, hold the very end of it and
let the rest of it drag. Repeat your training procedure on “Come” and see
whether you ever need to take up the slack and help the dog as you call your
dog away from distractions. The slack long leash is one of the transition
steps to eliminating the long leash completely.
Step Seven.
When you no longer need to take up slack in the long leash, drop the end of
it and let the dog drag it. Some dogs may initially lag a bit when they feel the
leash dragging on the ground. A little “body English” (bending or squatting
to encourage to the dog) can really help your dog understand and overcome
any lagging due to the dragging leash. Continue your training repetitions
with increasing distractions. If the dog becomes confused and doesn’t
respond when you command and tap the stimulation, continue giving the
command with taps of stimulation as you pick up the dragging long leash
and use it to help the dog.
Step Eight.
When you no longer need to pick up the long leash and help the dog, replace
it with a six foot leash again and let the leash drag. When the six foot leash
is rarely, if ever needed, remove it from the dog’s flat collar and continue
training without any leash.
When you see your dog consistently responding when you call and tap, and
your need to use the leash is rare, your helper should gradually increase the
distraction level, such as by squatting down next to the dog or moving
around with the dog.
How to succeed with distractions: Distractions need to be at the right level
for the dog to learn. If they are too strong, so that they scare the dog or
overwhelm him with excitement, the dog cannot learn to solve the problem.
The motto “dogs are individuals” applies when you use distractions to
advance training skills, so observe your dog’s responses. Select distraction
levels that give him a challenge but aren’t too much for him to deal with.
When to change stimulation intensity: After you begin distraction training,
you will probably find you need to increase your stimulation level at some
point. When you first introduce distractions from the helper, you should use
leash guidance to help the dog instead of increasing intensity. After a few
repetitions, if the dog is still not responding to the level that worked for him
without distractions, then increase the level of intensity slightly. If the dog
becomes worried or vocalizes frequently, lower your intensity level and give
the dog more help with the leash. The level of distraction as well as the dog’s
attitude can change, making an intensity level that was previously just right
later become too much or too little. Such changes can also cause a dog to be
more confused at times, even though the task looks like the same task to you.
Be prepared to help the dog if he is having difficulty responding.
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