Use this to plan where to practice a familiar skill as you add new environments.
1Recognize that different locations carry different distraction levels, separate from objects or people.
2Avoid the most common mistake: increasing location difficulty too quickly.
3Build a sample progression suited to your dog, such as living room, kitchen, bathroom, porch, driveway, backyard, sidewalk, then busier public spaces.
4Choose locations where you can create distance from distractions as needed.
5Retrain the skill in at least 10 different locations before expecting your dog to perform it anywhere.
6Step back to an easier location if your dog struggles, rather than pushing forward.
A new location can change the behavior, even when the cue is familiar.