Free Dog Training Tips for Building Focus

Getting a new dog is exciting and frustrating in the same breath. While you may have been told the dog is well behaved, normally, this is not the case. Building your dog's focus is the first step in any training exercise. Once your dog knows to focus on you, the other training becomes much easier.

  1. Expectations

    • When beginning any new training, it is important to have realistic expectations. Dogs are born with the ability to adapt to new situations; owners are the reason for training difficulties. A dog will only perform what you expect of it, so if you're not sure what to expect, the dog can't perform. Start with small, short exercises and build from there.

    The Beginning

    • Grab a bag of treats, which you will need to start the focus training. Place the treats into a pocket, training pouch or on a table; your hands need to be empty. Grab a treat from your pocket and show your dog. Close your hand around the treat, and hold it off to the side of your body. Your dog will naturally focus on the treat. Wait for it to shift its eyes from the treat in your hand to your face. When it does (it won't be for a long period of time) say the word "yes" and hand over the treat. Repeat this action 10 times, switching between the hands. Always give a treat when it looks at you.

    Building Focus

    • You dog will eventually catch on to the game and start ignoring the treat in your hand. It will begin staring at you, its eyes holding your gaze for much longer as the repetition continues. Gradually increase the amount of time looking at you before rewarding it. You can count in your head to three to start, increasing to 20 to 30 seconds as the dog succeeds.

    Introducing Distractions

    • Once your dog has mastered looking at you instead of the treat, you can begin to introduce distractions. Have a family member walk behind the dog while you are working, praising it when it shifts its gaze from the family member back to you. Reward the dog instantly, as you are building a new step. Your dog will realize that looking at you and not the distraction "pays off" with food. As with the initial exercise, begin pausing between the praise and food reward after it has mastered the distraction. Build off of this exercise using toys, children and other dogs as the distractions.