How can I build focus and impulse control in a mixed-breed?

answer_md":"## Exercises to improve attention and patience

Impulse control exercises teach dogs to delay gratification and respond reliably under distraction. Regular short practices strengthen self-control and make daily life smoother.

Useful exercises:

• Wait at doors and before meals: progressively increase wait time before releasing the dog to go through or eat.
• Leave it and trade games: teach the dog to let go of items for a better reward.
• Focus games: ask for eye contact (watch me) and reward quickly to build attention on cue.
• Structured training sessions with increasing distractions to generalize control.

Practice multiple times daily in brief sessions and reward success enthusiastically. Use predictable rules across household members and gradually raise difficulty. For dogs with high reactivity or impulsivity, professional guidance helps tailor a plan and ensure steady progress."