Practice

Practice this first at home, 20-40 repetitions, then add distractions.

Description

This exercise fosters stronger communication, reinforces impulse control, and builds engagement between the dog and handler. It’s especially beneficial in busy or distracting situations where maintaining a dog’s focus is essential for safety and responsiveness. The “Watch Me” command is a cue that directs the dog’s attention to the handler’s face or eyes. It serves as a valuable focus tool, helping redirect a dog away from distractions and ensuring the dog is attentive and ready for further commands. “Watch Me” is fundamental in obedience training, behavior modification, and environments where a dog needs to maintain concentration despite external stimuli.

Steps

Use small, high-value treats to motivate your dog and capture attention. Hold a treat near your face, between your eyes, or slightly above your nose to create a visual target. Clearly say, “Watch Me” in a calm, engaging tone. As soon as your dog makes eye contact—even briefly—praise and immediately reward with the treat. Gradually increase the duration of eye contact before delivering the reward, adding one or two seconds at a time. Begin practicing without the lure once your dog understands the cue, rewarding spontaneous eye contact on the verbal command alone. Introduce mild distractions and different environments to build reliability in various situations. Keep sessions short and positive, ending on a successful note to keep your dog motivated and confident.