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Focus & Impulse Control
Indoor group training for dogs who need practice staying focused, thinking through excitement and making calmer choices around other dogs and people.
These 45-minute drop-in sessions give dogs of all sizes a structured environment to practise around real-life distractions without being expected to greet or interact with the other dogs in class.
Whether your dog becomes overly excited when another dog enters the room, struggles to hear you once something interesting is happening, needs more practice settling around activity, or simply benefits from training outside the house, the goal is to help them become better at staying engaged and regulated when life gets distracting.
Not yet ready for our group classes? Contact us to find out which service is best for you.
This class is for dogs of all sizes who can benefit from practising around other dogs and people in a controlled indoor environment. Your dog might become overly excited when another dog is nearby, struggle to disengage from distractions, have difficulty settling when there is activity around them, or seem to forget everything they know once you leave the house.
It can also be useful for dogs who are more hesitant in social environments and need opportunities to build confidence without being pushed into direct interaction. Dogs do not need to greet one another during class, and being social with every dog in the room is not the goal.
Some dogs who bark at other dogs may also be able to participate, provided they can work safely with appropriate distance and support. If your dog becomes extremely overwhelmed by other dogs or needs substantial space to remain comfortable, contact me before booking so we can decide whether this class, From Barking to BFFs, or private training would be the better fit.
What happens during a Focus & Impulse Control class?
Rather than asking every dog to perform the same exercise at the same time, we use different activities and distractions to help each dog practise staying engaged with their person while other dogs and people are present.
We may work on responding to familiar cues around distractions, waiting before accessing something exciting, moving between activities without becoming overwhelmed, settling or stationing while things happen nearby, disengaging from another dog or person, and choosing to check back in with you instead of immediately acting on an impulse.
The difficulty can be adjusted for the individual dog. One dog may be practising a simple check-in while another dog walks across the room, while another may be ready to hold a station or complete a short training exercise with several distractions happening nearby.
The goal is not perfect obedience. It is helping your dog become better at thinking, recovering and communicating with you when the environment is more exciting than your living room.
What your dog may practise
Depending on the dogs attending, we may work on checking in with you around distractions, waiting before accessing something they want, disengaging from another dog or person, settling on a mat or station, moving calmly between activities, responding to familiar cues in a busier environment, recovering after becoming excited, and making more thoughtful choices before immediately acting on an impulse.
The exercises may change between sessions, which means returning dogs can continue practising the same underlying skills in different ways rather than simply repeating one fixed class routine.
Nothing to book right now. Check back soon.
"Carlos is amazing from the start! This is such a great place for little dogs. A much needed service that no one was else serving, a much needed place where little dogs can play and meet! My shy 5 lbs Morkie has a place where he can gain confidence along other little dogs!
There’s a lot of service they offer, and I look forward to trying them all at some point.
When I called Carlos in a panic when I got my second dog, he gave me much needed advice! Thank you!"
Mila Y.
FAQs
Does my dog need to already have good impulse control to attend?
No. The class exists so your dog can practise these skills. Your dog does not need to arrive already knowing how to ignore other dogs, settle perfectly or stay focused on you for an entire session.
Can dogs of any size attend?
Yes. Focus & Impulse Control is open to dogs of all sizes. Unlike the Small Dog Play Sessions, this is a training class rather than a play group, all dogs remain on leash are given their own working space rather than being grouped together for direct interaction.
Will the dogs greet each other?
Not as part of the class. Dogs are there to practise around one another rather than interact directly. Learning that another dog can be nearby without automatically becoming someone they need to greet is itself a useful skill.
Can my dog attend if they bark at other dogs?
Potentially. Some barking does not automatically make a dog unsuitable for the class. What matters more is whether we can create enough space for your dog to recover and participate.
If your dog has intense reactions to other dogs or needs a large amount of distance, From Barking to BFFs or private training may provide a better starting environment. Contact me if you are unsure.
What if my dog gets distracted during class?
That is expected. If your dog were already able to ignore every distraction, they probably would not need a focus class.
We can adjust the exercise, increase distance, use a better reward or make the task easier so your dog has an opportunity to reconnect with you and succeed.
What if my dog gets too excited?
We do not need to try to stop or punish the excitement. We can create more space, add movement, give your dog a break or change the exercise until they are better able to think again. Learning how to recover from excitement is part of what we are practising.
Does my dog have to sit and stay for the whole class?
No. Impulse control is much broader than sitting still.
We may use movement, sniffing, stationing, disengagement, waiting, check-ins and other exercises depending on what will help the dogs attending. The goal is thoughtful behaviour around distractions, not simply keeping dogs stationary.
What if my dog won’t take treats?
A dog who normally likes food but suddenly cannot eat may be too excited, stressed or distracted to learn at that level of difficulty. We can change the setup, create more distance, make the activity easier or try another reward your dog values.
Can a shy or nervous dog attend?
We recommend it, as this class can be a good confidence builder. Because dogs are not required to greet one another, the class can give some nervous dogs a useful opportunity to practise being around other dogs and people without direct social pressure.
If simply being in the room with other dogs is overwhelming for your dog, a quieter training setup may be more appropriate first.
Can reactive dogs attend?
Some reactive dogs can participate, particularly if their reactions are very mild and they can still work comfortably with reasonable space. Dogs who need considerably more distance or become highly overwhelmed around other dogs will usually get more appropriate practice through From Barking to BFFs or private training.
What is the difference between this and From Barking to BFFs?
Focus & Impulse Control is a broader training class for dogs who need practice working around distractions, managing excitement and staying engaged in a group environment.
From Barking to BFFs is specifically designed around dog reactivity and gives dogs more space outdoors to practise around other dogs. If your dog’s main challenge is barking, lunging or becoming overwhelmed specifically when they see another dog, From Barking to BFFs may be the better fit.
Can I attend more than once?
Yes. Returning is useful because impulse control and focus improve through ongoing practice. Your dog may encounter different dogs, people, activities and distractions from one session to another while continuing to work on the same underlying skills.
What training methods do you use?
I use positive reinforcement/reward-based, evidence-based and force-free training. I do not use prong collars, shock or e-collars, leash corrections, intimidation, or dominance-based training. We’ll focus on positive reinforcement, management, clear communication, and work at a level where your dog can successfully learn.
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