Eye Contact in Dog Training is Essential
If you incorporate eye contact in your dog’s training for attention sessions then he will always look up to you for guidance and have excellent behavior. This type of bond will ultimately bring your relationship to a higher level. You will both learn how to read each other’s body language and emotions. He will learn to respect your leadership role in the relationship. Eye contact provides a deeper level of communication than can be achieved by training simply through commands and motions. People who have practiced eye contact have really seen an amazing intensity of focused attention in their dog.
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.
First thing is first. You must say his name to get focused attention in your dog. Display a quick movement after you call to him for a definite response to his name. This will make him look at you. If he comes to you then you can pull out one of the treats you had hidden. Make sure the treats are always hidden so your dog will constantly respond in the same way instead of just during the obvious “training time”.
After you have his attention, bring the expected treat to your face, so he will be required to look you in the eyes. Only then are you to give him his reward. Gradually increase the time he has to make eye contact to get the treat. Repeat the exercise several times to make sure the skill is ingrained into your dog.
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 your dog has become consistent in making eye contact and exhibits good focused attention, you need to then up the training by adding distractions. This can be calling his name from another room. Don’t give any positive feedback until he makes eye contact with you. Next, play with his favorite toy. When he wants to join in the play, call his name and have him make eye contact before allowing him to play.
If you are certain the dog training for attention methods have worked so far then it is time to move to the advanced training exercise. Have a friend come over and offer your dog food. Interject on their moment by saying his name for eye contact. If your dog looks at you praise him greatly and even take the offered food and reward it to him from your hands. If he never does look, then sit off to the side alone and depressed for a few minutes to show how upset he made you, then repeat the exercise. Chances are, your dog will not want you to be sad and will defiantly look at you the second time around. After a few successful outcomes you know you have focused attention in your dog and all of the dog training for attention will pay off throughout the rest of his life.
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.
