Did you know you can teach your pup to look at you (by default) for direction?
There are two types of ‘focus’ you can teach your pup:
- Put it on cue (say their name/or ‘look at me’ to get them to focus on you)
- Default attention behavior (teach them to randomly check in during distracting situations)
I have three fun (and easy) games to teach default attention behavior. You can check it out in the video below, or keep reading!
All you need is a clicker, high value treats, and your dog or puppy on a leash!
Game One – Reward for looking
- Drop a treat by your feet
- The second they look at you, mark the behavior (click/verbal marker) and drop another treat
Game Two – Learning to Come Back
- Toss a treat 2-3 feet away
- Wait for them to come back to you
- If they don’t come back try game one until the default attention is stronger
Game Three – Engage/Disengage
For this one you will need a small distraction – either a toy/play barking sounds on YouTube
- Make/play a noise that won’t scare them, but doesn’t get them too excited (away from you)
- Wait for them to look back at you
- Mark and reward them looking back at you