Focus / Attention
Its simple, if your dog's not looking at you, hes not listening.
Here is a good way to start getting your pup to start paying to attention, even if there are distracting things going on in his world.
IMPORTANT: Start in a low distracting environment (the living room for example) We are not using a verbal cue for this, but we will reward verbally
REPEAT SITS BACKWARDS
With the dog sat in front of you perform repeat sits backwards 3-5 steps, ideally backing up at a speed of about 140 beats per minute (use a metronome) and rewarding your dog for sitting when you stop. Then after 1-5 repeat sits, change directions 90° in a backwards L or to a backwards U turn and continue with the repeat sits backwards. Backwards exercises are especially good for keeping your dog focused on you. Remember that the goal is that your dog is focused and looking at you while catching up and while sitting.
HAND TOUCHES
Here is a good way to start getting your pup to start paying to attention, even if there are distracting things going on in his world.
IMPORTANT: Start in a low distracting environment (the living room for example) We are not using a verbal cue for this, but we will reward verbally
- Start with your dog seated in front of you
- Have a handful of small tasty treats, make a fist around the treats
- Don't let the dog in, but let him bug the hand that has the treats in it
- Once he stops bugging the hand (and this may only be for a moment) tell the dog 'Good!' and remove one of the treats and give it to him
- Repeat steps 3 & 4 till the dog stops bugging the hand (the usually stare at the hand)
- Now we are going to wait till the dog looks at our eyes (again this might only be for a moment) tell the dog 'Good!' and remove one of the treats and give it to him. Repeat till the dog is staring directly in your eyes without any deviation
- Try a different location in the house (bedroom) when attempting to change locations, give the dog some grace (some dogs place their learning in that particular environment, and find it difficult to assimilate new skills)
- Try a different location in the house (bathroom)
- Try a different location (backyard)
- Try a different location (a quiet park)
- Keep exploring new places and building the dog up, if you find that the dog won't concentrate, then the environment may be too distracting, try lowering the level of distraction by creating time and/or distance .
REPEAT SITS BACKWARDS
With the dog sat in front of you perform repeat sits backwards 3-5 steps, ideally backing up at a speed of about 140 beats per minute (use a metronome) and rewarding your dog for sitting when you stop. Then after 1-5 repeat sits, change directions 90° in a backwards L or to a backwards U turn and continue with the repeat sits backwards. Backwards exercises are especially good for keeping your dog focused on you. Remember that the goal is that your dog is focused and looking at you while catching up and while sitting.
HAND TOUCHES