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Attention Please!

Attention is likely a key cornerstone to dog training. Let's face it, if your dog does not listen, how can you ever get them to do what you want? Attention exercises are critical.

There are many reasons for lack of attention. Some dogs may be anxious or stressed. Medical conditions, such as deafness do occur. Elderly dogs are also known to loose their hearing.

Mainly though, the reason dogs fail to pay attention, is because they learn to tune us out. Human language has no meaning to a dog, unless they are taught otherwise. I once saw a great cartoon. The owner was reprimanding the dog over some discretion. "Fido! How could you! Do you realize that was wrong Fido?" The next picture illustrated what Fido heard. "Fido! Blah blah blah! Blah blah blahdy blah blah blah Fido?" So what is an owner to do?

If you take the time to watch dog-to-dog behavior, notice how dogs will take great pains to avoid making eye contact. Direct eye contact is a challenge. Dogs generally seek to avoid confrontation, and do it remarkably well. For this reason, most modern experts recommend gentle methods that encourage, but never demand. So let's get started!

You will need a clicker, available at most pet supply stores and your dog's kibble. Make sure your clicker is "charged." For instructions on charging your clicker, go to the permanent resources page. Go into a low distraction environment. Wait patiently, and say nothing. Eventually, your dog will look up at you. How long will this take? Every dog is different. The instant they do, "Click and give one kibble." Repeat, repeat, repeat. Keep sessions short, and end on a high note.

There will come a moment when your dog will "get it." Look for a "lightbulb" effect. At this point, you can start moving around, and expecting longer periods of attention. Keep clicking and treating the behavior you like. As the behavior gets stronger, you can start adding distractions. Finally, when you have a dog that can't keep their eyes off of you, start anticipating when your dog will look at you and add the word just before they turn to look.

Why wait until now to say anything? Waiting to add the command goes back to our cartoon example above. Dogs do not understand English, and guessing dogs quickly become frustrated and unreliable. Frustrated dogs learn to tune us out. It makes no sense to ask for something the dog does not understand 100%.

On the other hand, I find that dogs that understand what their person wants, work enthusiastically. These dogs respond to whispered commands, because our words have meaning and relevance. We start becoming very important in their lives.

Once the behavior is solid, you can eliminate the clicker, and start weaning away from the food. Now how simple is that?

For more information, or if you have questions, please feel free to contact Awesome Dogs.

Not to be reproduced without written consent from Awesome Dogs.
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