Kiss Dog Training Shawnee KsUpdated Blog: When You’re Hyper‑Focused… What Do We Miss? (The Gorilla Experiment)

Updated for Kansas City & Shawnee Dog Owners

 

This is one of those ideas I come back to often because it explains why good intentions alone don’t fix behavior problems. I’ve shared this concept before, but it’s worth revisiting because it comes from outside the dog‑training world and still applies perfectly to how dogs (and people) learn.

 

The Outside Idea (Quick Summary)

Psychology and attention research uses a famous example often called the “gorilla experiment.” Participants are asked to focus on a specific task—like counting passes in a video. While they’re concentrating, a person in a gorilla suit walks directly through the scene. A surprising number of people never notice it.

The takeaway is simple: when we hyper‑focus on one thing, we often miss something obvious happening right in front of us.

 

Why This Matters in Dog Training

I see this constantly with dog owners.

People get locked onto why a dog is doing something:

  • Why won’t my dog listen?
  • Why did this behavior start?
  • Why does my dog do this to me?

That hyper‑focus feels productive, but it often causes owners to miss the real issue: what behavior is being practiced and reinforced every day.

 

The Gorilla Most Owners Miss

Dogs don’t change because we understand their motivation.

They change because:

  • routines change
  • environments change
  • reinforcement changes
  • human behavior changes

When owners fixate on explanations, they often miss the reinforcement loop that’s quietly keeping the behavior alive.

That’s the gorilla.

 

A Real‑World Example

A dog jumps on guests when they walk in.

Owners debate excitement, dominance, respect, or anxiety—while the dog is learning one very clear lesson:

Jumping works. I get attention every time.

Until that loop changes, the behavior won’t.

 

What to Do Instead

Instead of asking why, ask:

“What do I want my dog to do instead—and how do I make that pay?”

When the right behavior is practiced consistently and rewarded clearly, the unwanted behavior fades without confrontation or confusion.

 

SEO + Local Context

While the attention research behind the “invisible gorilla” applies to dog owners everywhere, I see this hyper‑focus problem constantly with clients in Kansas City and Shawnee.

When we zoom in on why a behavior happened instead of shaping what we want instead, progress stalls—whether we’re working on basic manners, leash pulling, or more serious behavior challenges.

If you’re a dog owner in the Kansas City metro or Shawnee area, this is exactly the kind of mindset shift we work on during in‑home sessions.

 

Read More on the Original Concept

The original attention study is widely referenced in psychology literature and is often discussed as the “invisible gorilla” experiment.

Read more about the concept here (Simons Foundation)

 

Related Resources From KISS Dog Training

Clear, practical guidance on replacing reactive habits with rewarded behaviors.

Short, practical breakdowns of behavior loops, timing, and reinforcement.

 

Need More Assistance?

Articles and videos can point you in the right direction, but applying these ideas correctly is where most people get stuck.

If you need more assistance, contact us:

Contact KISS Dog Training

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