Week 2 Attention and Eye Contact When Name is Called

 Equipment Needed: 6’ leash, training collar, food rewards (a slip leash can replace both the 6’ leash and training collar if you prefer). 



Explanation and Goal of Exercise: There are times when you want to get your dog’s or puppy’s attention and focus.  This exercise is the start of your dog looking at you when their name is called. This is useful for heeling, recall, and let’s go. 



STEP 1:  Be sure you are prepared with kibble or other appropriate food reward in your hand BEFORE giving a command. 

STEP 2: Say your dog’s or puppy's name. 

STEP 3A:  Immediately upon your dog or puppy looking into your face (and not glancing immediately away), say your release word "yes" and deliver the food reward as you release them. 

STEP 3B:  If they do not look to you, first try calling their name again after a full 10 seconds has passed so you aren't just rapidly firing off their name. If they are just really enamored of something other than you, you could try to gently tug on their leash and see if they will turn. You could also try to make a silly noise after you say their name. Usually though, once they know what the deal is with the food reward, it does not take more than three times to get them to look at you. 

STEP 4:  Repeat this exercise from STEP 1 for 15 repetitions in total. The goal is to get looks for three sets of four in a row without needing to repeat or other correction.   

 © 2024 Robin Rubin DBA Mannerly Mutts 

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