Attention: Can’t Train Without It!

The importance of attention is often over looked when thinking about training, but the truth is that it is the first step to getting your dog to do what you ask. Attention can be a very easy thing to get out of your dog, if you take the right steps.  

The first step in getting, and keeping, your dogs attention is to reward them for giving it to you. We often punish our dogs for the bad things they do, but rarely reward them for the good things. Whenever you see your dog looking at you, reward them.  It is that simple! In the beginning you will probably get the most attention when you are in the house with little distraction, but slowly work with more distractions around, then start to work outside. In no time your dog will be looking at you all day!  

The second step is to control your dogs rewards so that they have to earn them. We have to work for a living, why shouldn't they! Start by thinking about all the things that your dog finds rewarding.  This could be anything from food, to taking a walk, to playing with a toy, to going in the yard, the list is endless! Then start to control these rewards, and have your dog work to get them. Some examples are:       

1)Have your dog sit and stay while you prepare their dinner. The reward is a bowl of food!

2)Have your dog sit or down while you put on their collar and leash. The reward is a walk!

3)Come away from a group of dogs. The reward is a treat, and then returning to play (2 rewards!)!

4) Wait while you open a door (so they don’t barge through). The reward is going through the doorway!  

Again, the list is endless. Think about how you can control your dog’s rewards in your every day life and you will be on your way to having a dog that works for you, not against you!

Darby Crisp, CPDT