Does your dog look at you when you talk to him? Does he give you his attention when you say his name?

< This dog isn't likely to come when called, walk on a loose leash or follow a simple command. Why? Because the dog and its owner are disconnected. The only thing connecting them is the leash.   This dog and handler are connecting. >

My dog knows I'm on the planet!!

Attention is the key to perfect loose leash walking,
instant response to commands, and a reliable come when called.
If your dog looks at you eagerly when you say his name
and will choose you when he is distracted, you hold the key to an obedient dog.

 

"Wren" the rat terrier - photo courtesy of Lindsey Beal

Observe your dog carefully. Whenever you notice your dog giving you quiet attention, reinforce calmly with your attention, a touch, praise, part of his meal or whatever else you can think of that he'd like. Immediately and abruptly ignore any pushy or rude attention. Build meaning to his name. Say it once right before you move to the kitchen to feed him, pick up your car keys, his leash or favorite toy!

The Name Game.

Based on a game by Connecticut trainer Leslie Nelson from Tails U Win

When you are in an area, like the kitchen, where your dog usually finds you quite interesting, say your dog's name one time only, clearly but softly. When your dog looks at you, instantly praise while he continues to look. Reward with tiny pieces of treat, part of his meal, favorite toys or other things your dog finds rewarding. Repeat a minimum of 5 or 6 times a day.

• If your dog jumps on you, immediately lose interest in him. Look at the ceiling and withhold reward. The INSTANT his feet are back on the ground continue your verbal praise and whatever reward you were using.
• In the beginning you can use a treat as a lure to help your dog look at you. Hold the treat under your chin or up near your eyes to help him look up. As he looks, say "YES!" and begin rewarding.

As soon as your dog begins to get the idea, don't have food or other rewards visible when you speak to him. Produce the reward as soon as he comes and looks at you. Vary your rewards ... sometimes food, sometimes toys, sometimes games, sometimes rubs and hugs. Be as variable as you can be. If he doesn't look at you when he hears his name, do not repeat it! Nagging and begging creates deaf dogs. Try hiding on him or whip out his favorite toy and play with it yourself. Ignore him if he tries to join in. Produce something yummy and eat it yourself, or at least pretend to, play with another pet, pick up his leash and walk out the front door without him. Use your imagination. Make it well worth his while for him to look at you. Take it on the road. Begin training in the kitchen or some other area where your dog finds you fascinating. Gradually move to other locations and introduce more distractions. In more distracting situations, you will want to use higher value reinforcements.

If you are not seeing marked improvement be sure you (or other family members) are not using the dog's name to scold him or repeating it over and over. Don't repeat yourself. Dogs ignore things that have no value. If he hears his name a thousand times a day for no reason or for an unrewarding reason, it will quickly become irrelevant and he will tune it out or avoid it. Your dog's name should be music to his ears!