This simple test is derived from Service Dog certification testing. This is given at the end of our one-hour In-Home Love & Leadership Training Course. It quickly shows the owner how effective our Focused Based Canine Training really is. It is both a drill and a tool to practice effective communication with your dog using eye contact (them focusing on you), your movement or lack of movement, and touch.
We use this instead of talking and treats for immediate feedback for both the dog and the owner. Here we are using a direct stimulus, Frank walking around and towards and away from the dog. Another example of a direct stimulus would be another dog. Indirect stimulus would be say just standing in a park or on a street corner. The slightest tension on the lead is the dog alerting you to something, instead of responding to the alert you subtly redirect the dog which brings their eyes back on you, communicating the them that you don’t care about it. The next time they are presented with the same stimulus they ignore it because you showed them you don’t care about that thing.