• Dog Training
28/03/2025
The 3 D’s—Distance, Duration, and Distraction—are something I believe to be essential in dog training, as they apply to almost every aspect of shaping behaviour. Understanding and developing each of these elements is key to creating a well-rounded and reliable dog. It’s something I drill often whilst out on the walks.
The order in which you approach the 3 D’s is also important. Personally, I recommend starting with Duration, followed by Distance, and then Distraction.
• Duration comes first because it provides the foundation for good behaviour. If your dog can’t hold a command for a set amount of time, it will be difficult to increase Distance or add Distractions effectively.
•Once Duration is solid, Distance can be gradually introduced. It’s important to test your dog’s ability to respond to commands even when you’re far away, as this simulates real-life situations where you may need them to listen from a distance.
•Finally, Distraction is the last step. Once your dog can hold a behaviour for a reasonable duration and respond at a distance, you can start introducing distractions like noises, other dogs/animals or people. This ensures your dog can maintain focus and obedience, no matter what’s going on around them.
Duration sets the stage for sustained attention and behaviour, making it easier to build in the other two D’s without overwhelming your dog. It’s important to remember that working on all three simultaneously should only happen once your dog can confidently handle each one individually.
