Visual lock-on can send arousal to the top instantly and make recall difficult, with almost no warning before launch.
- Stage 1 — quiet room
Begin one or two steps away in a closed, quiet room. Say the cue once, move gently away, mark the turn and deliver the reward close to your body. Use a light house line if needed; never reel the dog in.
Advance: Advance only after 3 consecutive days of 10 trials per day with at least 90% success.
- Stage 2 — secure private yard
Audit gates, fence height, fence base and visual gaps first. Practise at short distance with no live-animal trigger present, using a safely handled long line if helpful. Reward early orientation; do not wait for fixation or sprinting to test the cue.
Advance: Advance only after 3 consecutive days of 10 trials per day with at least 90% success.
- Stage 3 — booked secure fenced field
Use an empty, securely fenced field after checking both gates. Start close, keep repetitions sparse and finish before scanning becomes fixation. The goal is reconnection within fencing, not proof that the dog can be released at a beach, oval, street or any unfenced place.
Advance: Maintain this stage only after 3 consecutive days of 10 trials per day with at least 90% success.