If you want to see an outstanding level of focused attention by your dog, then use Eye contact in your training methods. The incorporation of eye contact into your daily training results in a higher level of understanding by your dog. You both learn to respond to each other's body language. This results in a better behaved dog who looks to you for guidance.
Eye contact requires full attention from your dog. This kind of clear thinking will make for a much better behaved pet, build an overall closer bond, and will really set the standard of who the master is in the household. Eye contact is a method used in dog training for attention. If your dog wants food, to be played with, or admired, then he will have to lock eyes with you and follow your lead. This training process is actually much more humane than to be controlled by the leash because it is easier, faster, and more positive.
Reward your dog with a treat when he looks at you. Be sure to keep the treats at various places so he won't just expect a treat at a special training time, but will remain attentive and make eye contact with you at other times as well. He will then begin to obey you every time.
Raise the treat to your eyes so his gaze will lock with yours. Once he does this reward him. Slowly increase the seconds of eye contact for each reward. Soon he will know exactly where to look for his prize.
If your puppy is new to you then you can try to hand feed him his kibble for the first few weeks of living with you. Just use his kibble for the exercises. Once your dog gets good at making eye contact, you can wean him off of food and treats for praise and just use verbal positive rewards.
Once you see that the focused attention in your dog has been steadily maintained then it is time to spice up the exercise with some challenging distractions. The first thing you can do is call out his name from another room. When he comes to you make sure he locks eyes before receiving any positive attention. Next grab his favorite toy and play with it. When he wants to jump in say his name to bring his stare back to your eyes before you allow him to play. Consistency is the only key that will allow him to progress to the advanced part of the exercise.
For the next stage of focused attention training, you need to engage the help of another person. Have the other person offer your dog some food. Before the dog can take it, call his name. If he makes eye contact with you, then take the proffered food and give it to him, hand feeding him. If he doesn't look at you, then sit off to one side and look very sad. He should be intent on not having you sad, and should then give you the required attention. At that time, reward him. Never let the other person give your dog the food. Only you are to do that. After several successful attempts, you will know you have succeeded in focused attention training.
Sharing eye contact with your dog brings your relationship to a much higher level. While he learns to read your commands, he is also tuning into your every emotion. Meanwhile you are learning his personality too. In a way you both are "talking" to each other and your bond will be much stronger than a dog that never experienced dog training for attention.
Eye contact requires full attention from your dog. This kind of clear thinking will make for a much better behaved pet, build an overall closer bond, and will really set the standard of who the master is in the household. Eye contact is a method used in dog training for attention. If your dog wants food, to be played with, or admired, then he will have to lock eyes with you and follow your lead. This training process is actually much more humane than to be controlled by the leash because it is easier, faster, and more positive.
Reward your dog with a treat when he looks at you. Be sure to keep the treats at various places so he won't just expect a treat at a special training time, but will remain attentive and make eye contact with you at other times as well. He will then begin to obey you every time.
Raise the treat to your eyes so his gaze will lock with yours. Once he does this reward him. Slowly increase the seconds of eye contact for each reward. Soon he will know exactly where to look for his prize.
If your puppy is new to you then you can try to hand feed him his kibble for the first few weeks of living with you. Just use his kibble for the exercises. Once your dog gets good at making eye contact, you can wean him off of food and treats for praise and just use verbal positive rewards.
Once you see that the focused attention in your dog has been steadily maintained then it is time to spice up the exercise with some challenging distractions. The first thing you can do is call out his name from another room. When he comes to you make sure he locks eyes before receiving any positive attention. Next grab his favorite toy and play with it. When he wants to jump in say his name to bring his stare back to your eyes before you allow him to play. Consistency is the only key that will allow him to progress to the advanced part of the exercise.
For the next stage of focused attention training, you need to engage the help of another person. Have the other person offer your dog some food. Before the dog can take it, call his name. If he makes eye contact with you, then take the proffered food and give it to him, hand feeding him. If he doesn't look at you, then sit off to one side and look very sad. He should be intent on not having you sad, and should then give you the required attention. At that time, reward him. Never let the other person give your dog the food. Only you are to do that. After several successful attempts, you will know you have succeeded in focused attention training.
Sharing eye contact with your dog brings your relationship to a much higher level. While he learns to read your commands, he is also tuning into your every emotion. Meanwhile you are learning his personality too. In a way you both are "talking" to each other and your bond will be much stronger than a dog that never experienced dog training for attention.
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