Training Opportunities Present

Often we try to structure training sessions. We plan to do a little bit while we are getting ready for work or maybe in the park while we are walking. Some of us prefer to do this later in the day, say after dinner, or during commercial breaks. If we plan these out that is great however, if we accept the idea to train a few moments when the opportunity presents itself, we will have a more focused, balanced, ready to roll with it type of dog.
This morning we were getting ready for breakfast when my dog began to bark at the ajoining park off our property. I grabbed the leash, a few treats and took him to see (after he sat quietly for a moment) We then worked slowly moving closer while he worked on lie down, walk up, and sit commands with a few touch commands thrown in because that is one he has ingrained to do everytime I ask. It is moments like these that brings your training together. You can never accurately predict distractions and those are the most difficult for most dogs to respond appropriately to. When I sit for breakfast or watch tv at night I keep a couple treats close by so we can work the quiet, leave it commands when a dog runs by out front. The most difficult for my dog is when the neighbor plays ball in the park with his dog off leash and my dog used to completely lose his mind. We started on leash ( I know about what time he will play) we would do sits and lie down then moving closer to door, we are now calm and capable while working on the back deck and soon will move closer by descending the set of stairs and work in the yard (at his level) later we will get closer to the fence and eventually be off leash and quiet. Of course that will probably be 2 weeks before we move but, progress is made and that is what matters.
I love the opportunity to work my training in everyday life as well as those structured sessions. It makes our connection strong and trusting. I never tell him he is bad for barking I just redirect the energies off the activity so he realizes the excessive barking is not needed. He is telling his pack of outside invaders which is always ok to do, just don't freak out about it now. Just let go and move on to other things.