Eye Contact and Dog Training
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.
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 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 he masters the first exercise and the focused attention in your dog has been steadily maintained, then you can throw in a couple of distractions. Start by calling his name from other rooms. Make sure he meets your eyes upon greeting you there. Then play with his toy. If he wants to jump in on the fun just say his name again to bring his gaze to your stare before letting him join. Be consistent in every exercise you do so your dog does not get confused.
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.
Eye contact during training will make for a better behaved dog, a much closer bond, and will encourage a constant higher thinking from your pet. Eye contact is the most important method used in dog training for attention because he will have to lock eyes with you if he ever wants food, to be played with, or praised. This training process is actually much more humane than to be controlled by the leash because it is easier, faster, and more positive.
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