Balancing Focus and Independence

Why Too Much Focus on Attention Could Be Holding Your Dog Back 

In the world of dog training, it can sometimes feel like there’s an overwhelming emphasis on teaching dogs to focus on their people. Whether it’s through eye contact, focus games, or continuous engagement, many training methods seem designed to keep dogs constantly tuned into their handlers. While there are certainly scenarios where focus is helpful and even necessary, overdoing it can come at a cost. In particular it can hinder your dog’s ability to take in the world around them and develop true calmness.

Let’s explore why teaching calmness, rather than constant focus, may be the key to a well-balanced, happy, and resilient dog.

Dogs Need Time to Process Their Environment

Imagine being told to block out the world around you and focus intently on one thing—all the time. That’s what some dogs experience when they’re trained to keep their eyes on you no matter what’s happening in their surroundings.

Feels a bit uncomfortable, doesn't it?

While this approach might look impressive in a training session, it doesn’t teach dogs the crucial skill of processing their environment.
Dogs explore the world through all of their senses. Sniffing, watching, and calmly taking in their surroundings help them understand what’s happening around them. When we encourage dogs to focus exclusively on us, we can unintentionally deprive them of this opportunity to see things, to smell things and to learn how to deal with things in the environment around them.  If they don't get that opportunity, they may not have learnt what to do when they encounter something new or unexpected.

Calmness Over Control

Focusing on calmness instead of control means teaching yourself to be calm in the environment, which will help your dog to self-regulate and feel at ease, regardless of what’s happening nearby.

This isn’t about ignoring your dog or letting them figure it all out alone. It’s about equipping yourself and your dog with the confidence to coexist peacefully with the world around them, without needing constant direction.

A calm dog is one who can:

• Sit quietly while you chat with a friend on a walk.
• Relax at a café as people come and go.
• Observe another dog walking past without reacting barking or lunging.

When we allow dogs to process their environment and feel safe doing so, they don’t need to rely as heavily on their you for reassurance. This can foster independence, reduce anxiety, and create a more harmonious relationship where we are not 'on their case' all the time.

The Stress of Over-Focus

Imagine being in a job where your boss is always looking over your shoulder. You’ll get the work done, but the pressure can quickly lead to burnout. I have been there ... and I left the job!

Dogs need moments to relax, switch off, and simply be dogs. Constant focus on the handler can be mentally exhausting for their dog

Over-focusing on you can also make dogs always feel like they are in 'training mode', always anticipating the next cue or command, watching your hand approaching the treat pocket. This state of alertness may actually increase stress levels, particularly for dogs who are already prone to anxiety or reactivity.

Instead, teaching calmness allows your dog to take a step back and truly relax in their environment.

Helping YOU Let Go of Control

One of the biggest shifts for many is letting go of the need for constant control. It’s easy to feel pressure to have a “perfect” dog who’s always obedient, attentive, and focused. But the reality is, a dog who can relax and navigate their environment calmly is far more enjoyable to live with than one who’s always waiting for the next command.

Training calmness doesn’t mean letting your dog run wild; it’s about giving them the tools to self-regulate while still being responsive to you when needed. It’s about partnership, not control.

A Balanced Approach

The best training combines elements of both focus and calmness, depending on the situation. Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Focus: Use it when safety or precision is required, like during road crossings or advanced training exercises.
• Calmness: Encourage it during day-to-day life, like relaxing at home, walking in the park, or settling at a café.

Striking this balance ensures your dog has the skills to handle both structured and unstructured environments, making them a more confident and adaptable companion.

Real-World Skills

Focus has its place, especially in situations where safety is a priority (e.g., crossing a busy road or navigating through a crowded space). But it’s equally important to allow your dog how to exist calmly and independently in the world. The goal isn’t to have a dog who is constantly glued to your side or staring into your eyes; it’s to have a dog who can make good choices on their own while still looking to you for guidance when needed.

Increase your Distance

Instead of asking for focus while walking past close to another dog, increase your distance from the dog if needed, and you might encourage your dog to sniff the ground, glance at the other dog, and carry on without feeling the need to react. The presence of another dog should be no big deal—just part of the world around them.

Encourage Natural Curiosity

Allowing dogs to engage with their environment can significantly reduce frustration and overstimulation. This might mean giving your dog time to sniff during a walk, slowing down, or even pausing and letting them calmly observe people, dogs, traffic from a safe distance. It’s about gradually exposing them to new environments while maintaining a relaxed state.

Lengthen Your Lead

Using a longer lead can make a world of difference in allowing your dog to be calm and independent. When used safely and appropriately in the right environment, it gives your dog the freedom to explore and engage with their environment while still maintaining a connection with you. It allows them to sniff, observe, and take in the world at their own pace, allowing natural curiosity and resilience. By offering this extra space, you’re empowering your dog to make their own choices and practice calm behaviour without feeling restricted or overly controlled. This can lead to a more relaxed and confident dog, especially in environments that may have previously felt overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, our goal as dog lovers and trainers should be to create a relationship where both dog and human feel relaxed, connected, and understood. Allowing calmness over constant focus helps dogs build confidence, reduces stress, and allows them to truly enjoy the world around them.

So, the next time you’re tempted to ask for eye contact or engagement, consider whether it’s truly necessary in that moment. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for our dogs is to step back, give them space, and let them explore the world at their own pace.

If you’ve been working on balancing focus and calmness with your dog, I’d love to hear about your experiences! What’s worked for you, and what challenges have you faced? Let’s share ideas and learn together.