Lesson 1: Understanding the 4 canine drives and use of Distractions by Deb Kidwell

                                   Understanding the 4 drives 

                        and the use of distractions 

by Deb Kidwell

 

Use combination of surprise and momentum along with repetition

Four drives – social, prey, defense, fight

Only the first three concern us for our training purposes

Planted and natural

When I started couldn’t figure out why dog didn’t perform when distracted, answer was because I didn’t train purposely against distractions, that’s an essential element of KMODT

 

Examples

Social drive natural low distraction? parking lot with activity in distance

Social drive natural high distraction? other dogs in close vicinity, people walking by talking

Social drive Planted? Low-ratio in a box in the distance, training near kenneled dogs

Social drive Planted? High-tunnel of love test, where dogs are on sit or down stay near working dog

Sum up common elements - Mostly involves people and other dogs, anything dog would generally interact with

 

Prey drive low distraction? Working in a park with squirrel activity in distance, people playing ball

Prey drive high distraction? Other small animals in close proximity

Planted? Low, toys in training area

Planted? High, walking next to toys in the training area

Sum up common elements – small animals moving quickly like a mouse, squirrel or bird or a toy that dog wants to play with like a ball (involves action), anything dog considers prey

 

Defense low distraction? Anything unexpected in the distance, moving quickly

Defense high distraction? Unexpected activity close to the dog, puppies moving through the area where the dog is working

Defense planted? Low – trash bag hanging from a tree not too close

Defense planted? High – trash bag close to dog working, person coming around the corner of a house (into view quickly so as to startle), person waving something making noise, another dog suddenly appearing

Sum up common elements – anything surprising or unexpected, appearing suddenly

 

Drive	Low distraction	Medium distraction	High distraction
Social natural
Social planted
Prey natural
Prey planted
Defense natural
Defense planted
Notes