Teaching Focus

Teaching your dog to focus on you is important for communication, bonding, training, distraction control, safety, problem prevention, socialization, and confidence building. Regular training sessions with eye contact exercises and positive reinforcement are recommended to achieve focus. Consistency and gradually introducing distractions are crucial for success.

on you, follow these steps:

1. Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment to start your training session.

2. Hold a treat or a toy in your both of your hands, making sure your dog sees it.

3. The dog will likely be looking at your hands.

4. Once your dog looks at you, say "focus" or any other cue word you prefer.

5. Reward your dog with the treat or toy and offer verbal praise.

6. Repeat the process several times, gradually increasing the duration of eye contact before giving the reward.

7. As your dog becomes more proficient, start adding distractions one at a time. This could be the presence of another person or a mild noise.

8. If your dog becomes disinterested or distracted, regain their attention by repositioning the treat or toy in front of your face.

9. Continue practicing in different environments and with increasing levels of distractions.

10. Once your dog reliably focuses on you with distractions present, begin phasing out the use of treats or toys as rewards. Instead, provide verbal praise and occasional rewards intermittently to maintain the behavior.

Remember, consistency and patience are key when teaching your dog to focus on you. Keep training sessions short and positive, and always end on a high note. Gradually build up the duration and difficulty level of the exercises for long-term success.