Lestrade will sometimes get laser focus on something and it is impossible to break her concentration.
There are two main times she does this.
1. some people/small animals:
she will just stare it down if she's on leash. Off leash, she'll chase the small animal. People she'll just stay by me. If I ask for a sit, she will only do it if I give her my "correction" which is scratching her butt. She'll sit, but will not break a stare.
2. Smells.
Smells are Lestrade's absolute favorite thing. If she smells something she will shove her nose in it and the only way to get her to break her concentration is to drag her away from the smell. I've tried super high value treats, her favorite toys, even breaking to let her smell during walks. None of it has improved.
I don't know how to reach her during these focused times. She will listen at home. I've tried increasing the difficulty (taking her to the local park), but once she's satisfied she's smelled the thing enough, she's done with it. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground of smell it a little and come back to me.
I know I need to build up to getting her to focus on me when I ask her too, but I am not sure where to start.
Do I let her sniff/stare at what she wants on walks until I get a reliable focus at home? Or do I keep trying to get her to focus on walks while working on a reliable focus at home?
There are two main times she does this.
1. some people/small animals:
she will just stare it down if she's on leash. Off leash, she'll chase the small animal. People she'll just stay by me. If I ask for a sit, she will only do it if I give her my "correction" which is scratching her butt. She'll sit, but will not break a stare.
2. Smells.
Smells are Lestrade's absolute favorite thing. If she smells something she will shove her nose in it and the only way to get her to break her concentration is to drag her away from the smell. I've tried super high value treats, her favorite toys, even breaking to let her smell during walks. None of it has improved.
I don't know how to reach her during these focused times. She will listen at home. I've tried increasing the difficulty (taking her to the local park), but once she's satisfied she's smelled the thing enough, she's done with it. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground of smell it a little and come back to me.
I know I need to build up to getting her to focus on me when I ask her too, but I am not sure where to start.
Do I let her sniff/stare at what she wants on walks until I get a reliable focus at home? Or do I keep trying to get her to focus on walks while working on a reliable focus at home?