How to Teach Your Dog to Pay Attention to You

The foundation of all dog training is having a dog who will pay attention to you. Many dog owners have difficulty getting and maintaining their dog's attention, especially away from the house.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Treats
• Longline 15'
• Clicker
• Clicker savvy dog

1. Rewarding voluntary attention is the first step in convincing your dog that he should pay attention to you more often. If your dog gives you calm attention by looking at you, click and treat. If this happens and you find that you are not prepared to give a food reward, praise and pet him.

2. Once your dog is behaving as though he is obsessed with you, begin moving around by walking around the room or house. Click and treat him for moving with you.

3. If your dog looks away from you, quickly move away from him. When he looks at you, click and treat.

4. If your dog is offering attention frequently when you are inside, it is time to put on his longline and take him outside. This will allow him to wander away without escaping. When he looks up at you from sniffing, click and treat. If he looks away from a dog or human friend to offer you attention, throw a party! Click and treat, pet, praise and in general make him feel like he just performed a miracle.

5. Be sure to reward attention when you and your dog are out on a walk. Make checking in with you a rewarding experience, that he will want to repeat often.

Tips & Warnings

• Reward calm attention
• Ignore mouthing, pawing, whining, barking and other irritating attention seeking behaviors
• Smile at your dog when he looks at you, let him know that his calm attention pleases you
• Be calm, set a good example for your dog
• Be prepared to click and treat your dog for paying attention when you are out on walks

[WendyD]

on 11/26/2007 This is so true - the more you reward calm behavior, the better your dog will be at calming down and being quiet. Always have some treats on you, especially if you have a puppy! Also, figure out what your dog likes (ours loves to play tug-o-war), and use that as a reward, too!

[showpup]

on 11/15/2007 Great article.