How do you distract a fixated dog?

When you turn around, try to get to a safe distance away from the other dog. There is some distance that your dog can be from other dogs without fixating on them, even if it is a football field or more. If he does see the other dog and starts to fixate or otherwise react, simply move him to his safe distance and try clicking/treating from there. Do whatever you need to do - cross the street, turn and go the way you came, etc. Consider walking him in quiet areas where you won't see dogs or at odd hours when few people are out. BAT teaches dogs to give polite signals that mean that they want to get away from the other dog, and they also learn that you will respect what they are telling you and you will give them the distance that they want. If your boy gets fixated at any time, just go back to a further distance.

I stop every time he pulls and start walking backwards. I treat him when he's doing good, but sometimes he is doing good, I treat him, and then he immediately begins sprinting at something. I normally try and cross the street, but sometimes he does not come willingly. I have to pull him and sometimes he resists and causes a scene by stumbling and sometimes he will fall over dramatically.

Increasing your distance from the distraction is one of the first things to consider. Get success with one element of the DII and only then introduce others. Rating your dog’s distractions will let you know what is fair to expect of your dog with the education you have given him in the environment he is in. Start where your dog can have success and grow that success. Only work on one element of the Distraction Intensity Index at one time. The more education your dog has, the more he’ll be able to face by way of distractions without losing focus on you. The intensity of the distraction will reduce for your dog with your commitment to helping him. Value: The first is the value of the distraction to your dog. Use a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being lowest and 10 the highest. How much does your dog want whatever it is? Distance: You’ll need to know how far or how close the distraction is for your dog. When putting in a number, it’s arbitrary. Say the distraction is a bunny. If the bunny is one foot away, the number you put in might be 1000 or 10,000, whatever you decide. If the bunny is a mile away, then that value might be a 1. Choose a number based on your dog’s distractions. If you are consistent with your arbitrary number your DII calculation will always be relevant for you. Senses Engaged: What senses does the distraction engage for your dog? Sight, sound, smell. Depending on your dog, some senses will be higher rated than others. Movement: Is the distraction on the move? If so, the number you put in will likely be higher than if the distraction is not moving. You decide based on your dog. Your goal with your DII calculation is to get the number down so you can work through the distraction challenge with your dog. What do you need to do to reduce that number? Cats, squirrels, chipmunks, bicycles, kangaroos, children, birds, balls, food, lizards, butterflies, dogs, people …. the list of your dog’s distractions will depend on your dog, and while many can be used to your advantage some should be off limits. We still need to deal with our dog’s off limit distractions, but they can’t be used as rewards.