As dog owners, we’ve all experienced the struggle of trying to recall our dogs when they’re distracted by something exciting—whether it’s a bird, another dog, or a car. Instead of a simple recall, tattle training teaches your dog to "tattle" on triggers, which means they'll naturally come back to you when they spot something interesting.

What is Tattle Training?

Tattle training is a method where your dog learns to communicate with you when they encounter a trigger, without you needing to recall them. The idea is that your dog, upon seeing something exciting, will choose to return to you and “tattle” on what they've spotted. It's like a built-in behavior that allows them to stay focused on you while still acknowledging the world around them.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tattle Training

Step 1: Teach a Marker Word

Before you can begin tattle training, you first need to teach your dog a marker word (like “Good,” “Yes,” or another word of your choice). This word will act as a signal for your dog that they’ve done something right and will be rewarded with treats or praise.

How to do it:

1. Say the marker word just before you give a treat.
2. Repeat this until the word has a strong association with positive rewards.
3. Practice the marker word in various environments to make sure your dog understands it’s time for a treat.

Step 2: Reward Your Dog for Spotting Triggers

Now that your dog knows the marker word, it’s time to start associating triggers with the reward.

How to do it:

1. As you’re walking your dog, wait for them to spot a trigger—something that would usually distract them.
2. When your dog looks at the trigger, immediately say your marker word and reward with a treat when the dog turns to you (if you have done step 1 correct the dog will turn to you).
3. Repeat this several times until your dog begins to understand that spotting the trigger is something they will be rewarded for.

Step 3: Reinforce Quiet Attention and “Tattling”

The final step is to reinforce the behavior of your dog turning back to you when they spot a trigger without the marker word. This will make them automatically turn to you without you saying a word.

How to do it:

1. Stay quiet and allow your dog to look at the trigger. Even if it takes a few seconds for your dog to turn to you, stay quite and without any tension in the lead.
2. When your dog turns back to you after noticing the trigger, say your marker word and reward them with a treat.
3. Repeat this consistently. The goal is for your dog to automatically return to you when they see something, in the same way they would “tattle” on it.

Final Thoughts

Tattle training is a powerful tool for improving your dog’s focus and communication. By teaching them to "tattle" on distractions, your dog learns to return to you rather than react on the triggers. This creates more enjoyable, controlled walks and strengthens your bond.

Always remember to keep your dog on a lead during training. This ensures their safety and helps you reinforce the right behaviors in a controlled environment. Once they’ve mastered tattle training, you can gradually introduce off-leash situations.

With patience and consistency, your dog will learn to stay focused on you, making walks and outdoor adventures much more relaxed for both of you!