Cheap Pet Insurance

October 30th, 2008 by Pamella Neely

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.

Dog training or attention requires the use of the dog’s name to initially get his attention. Get his attention by giving a quick movement as you call his name. This will encourage him to look at you and make eye contact. He will have to make eye contact before getting food, receiving a play session or being loved on. He will come to recognize you are the master over him.

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.

Bring the treat up to your eyes to make his gaze land on your stare. Once he gets eye contact idea, reward him with praise and the treat. Increase the seconds you make him lock eyes with you for each treat. Always repeat the successful trials 3-5 times to make the exercise common knowledge for your dog.

If you are beginning training with a new puppy, then try to hand feed him for a few weeks. Use the kibble as a training reward. After he becomes consistent at making good eye contact, you can gradually discontinue the food and treat rewards and just use verbal praise.

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.

The last part of the dog training for attention exercise requires your friend’s assistance. Have someone else offer your dog some food. Interject immediately on their moment by saying his name. Wait for him to make eye contact with you and then praise him greatly for doing so. Even give the offered food to him out of your own hand as a reward. If he fails to look at you after calling for him then separate yourself where he can see you pout for a few minutes. Your friend is never to give him any food during the whole exercise. Try the entire process again until your dog behaves as he should. After several successful outcomes you know you have focused attention in your dog and all of the dog training for attention methods have worked.

Once you have become successful in getting your dog to give you focused attention, your relationship with your dog will greatly improve. He will be tuning into your emotions, and you will learn about his personality as well. The two of you will be communicating and forming a strong bond. It is a very humane way to train your dog.