Focus!
Attention is the most important part of dog training. Below are some training games
to help your dog pay attention.
Focus: Any time your dog offers eye contact on his own, you want to mark it with
either a verbal “yes” or a clicker.
Name Game: For 5-10 minutes each day, practice the Name Game. Say your dog’s
name and when he looks at you, mark and treat. Both of these exercises give your dog
a solid foundation in focus and name response.
Eye Contact Game: The goal of this game is to teach your dog to look away from
distractions and focus instead on you. Present a treat to your dog at different eye
levels (sometimes you can even present two treats at a time). Wait for your dog to
look away from the treats and look to you, and as soon as he does, mark and reward.
Sarah Cross
(Copyright ©2007 by Sarah Cross)
to help your dog pay attention.
Focus: Any time your dog offers eye contact on his own, you want to mark it with
either a verbal “yes” or a clicker.
Name Game: For 5-10 minutes each day, practice the Name Game. Say your dog’s
name and when he looks at you, mark and treat. Both of these exercises give your dog
a solid foundation in focus and name response.
Eye Contact Game: The goal of this game is to teach your dog to look away from
distractions and focus instead on you. Present a treat to your dog at different eye
levels (sometimes you can even present two treats at a time). Wait for your dog to
look away from the treats and look to you, and as soon as he does, mark and reward.
Sarah Cross
(Copyright ©2007 by Sarah Cross)
