Focus training is the foundation of dog training. To teach your dog anything, your dog needs to focus on you and be listening. These basic steps (the name game) are the foundation for dog training. Keep the game to around 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times throughout the day. Best of all, they are fun and rewarding for your dog!
Step 1
Get some treats or a portion of your dog’s daily kibble allowance. The treats should be small; they are a taster that will wet your dog’s interest.
Step 2
Choose a quiet room in your home with no distractions or noise. The environment should be calm so your dog is relaxed and won’t be easily distracted. Always set your dog up for success.
Step 3
Lure your dog into a sitting position facing you. You can kneel or crouch a few steps away from your dog facing them.
Step 4
Gently throw a treat to the side of your dog, and let them eat it.
Step 5
When your dog turns to you and makes eye contact, say their name and reward them with a treat.
Timing is everything at this point. The aim is for your dog to associate you saying their name with a positive and rewarding outcome.
Step 6
Return your dog to the sit position, and you return to your kneeling/crouching position opposite them.
Step 7
Gently throw a treat to the other side of your dog, and let them eat it.
Step 8
When your dog turns to you and makes eye contact, say their name and reward them with a treat.
Step 9
Repeat this game by increasing the distance between you and your dog. Allow your dog to come towards you for the treat.
This may mean you move backwards or sideward away from them to continue the game – that’s fine. Your dog is learning to come towards you when you say its name; coming to you is a positive and rewarding experience!
Step 10
When your dog responds quicker and consistently, you can move the game into another room.
When your dog is comfortable and consistent in a low-distraction room, you can very slowly introduce a distraction, such as someone coming into the room (but not a stranger and not engaging with you or the dog). Slowly increase distractions when your dog is consistently responding to you.
Step 11
Once your dog is comfortable and responsive with indoor distractions, you can move to a quiet, low-distraction area outside. Repeat the previous steps in the game.
Step 12
While lead walking your dog, randomly say their name and reward them as soon as they make eye contact with you.
To encourage further focus on you, reward them if your dog looks at you when walking with them, even if you haven’t said their name. This reinforces the lesson that focusing on you is positive and rewarding. I used to carry a few treats in my hand, so there was no delay in rewarding the focus.
When your dog has successfully mastered looking at you during the walk, you can maintain interest by giving the treat randomly – continue with the verbal praise. Instead of giving the treat every time, give the treat every second or third time. This way, your dog knows a reward will come but doesn’t know exactly when.
You may find these articles helpful:
Why You Should Teach Your Dog To Be Calm
The Importance of Focus Training for a Husky This article relates to any dog breed
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