Stage 1. Have your dog on a lead: this will stop him wandering away, if he becomes distracted. • Show him a titbit. When he shows an interest in the titbit, call his name. When he looks at you, reward him instantly. • Using your voice, praise him, telling him what a good boy he is. Even give him a friendly pat. (Eventually you will be reducing the food rewards and the reward will be your voice or a pat.) • Practise this a few times daily. • Once he is able to do the above, raise the titbit towards your face. Now when his name is called and he looks up at your face, making eye contact, reward him. Be careful not to stare down into your dog’s face. The reason for this is that many dogs feel threatened by a stare.
Stage 2. Once your dog is able to look up at you when you say his name you are ready to move on to the next stage, which is getting him to look up at you when there are distractions. When you say his name, you want to be more interesting to your dog than anything else.
Take the Lead Dog School & Animal Behaviour Clinic
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