Why Eye Contact is So Important When Training Your Dog

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.
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".
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 he is a brand new puppy, you may try to hand feed him for the first few weeks. Use the hand fed kibble as treats during this exercise but as soon as he learns the concept, then you can wean him off the food and resort to praise when he does well. Always repeat each successful exercise 3-5 times to really embed the concept in your dog.
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.
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.

Article Source: www.harperandassociatesinsurance.com

Pamella Neely writes about training your dog and eye contact for dog training.

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