05/06/2026
If your dog nails every cue at home but won't engage with you the second you step outside, here is the change you need to make...
A little known fact is that dogs are context-specific learners. So what does that mean for you?
It means if you only ever practise a sit in front of the fireplace in your lounge, your dog learns "sit" as a thing that happens in front of the fireplace in your lounge. Take them to the park and you get a blank stare, because to them this is a brand new puzzle.
So we need to teach the behaviours you want in lots of different places. The most effective way to do that is by using my zones system.
Green Zones: Kitchen | Hallway | Lounge | Garden
Start in low distraction, familiar environments until the new skill is rock solid.
Amber Zones: Quiet Walk | Car Park | Secure Field
Then add some moderate distractions, but make sure it is still manageable.
Red Zones: Park | Town Centre | Busy Walk
Once your reactive dog has successfully mastered the skill in the green and amber zones, move to environments with the most distractions.
Work through the zones in order and "my dog can't do it anywhere new" slowly turns into a dog who can hear you wherever you are.
Tell me in the comments which zone your training keeps falling apart in, and I'll help you troubleshoot in time for next week šš»