Dog trainer shares how to 'get more attention' from your pet and it's so easy
Getting your dog's attention is a crucial part of training and one expert has shared the 'best way' to get more attention from your pet and improve your relationship with them
A dog trainer has revealed the 'best way' to secure your pet's attention and improve your bond with them. Ensuring that dogs listen to their owners, especially in communal areas like when taking a stroll in the park, is crucial but it can be challenging at times to make your furry friend attentive and responsive.
Getting your dog's focus is an essential aspect of training, and Adam Spivey from Southend Dog Training has offered up some professional tips. Since 2012, Adam has been training dogs, earning a stellar reputation for his candid methods and direct attitude. He also wrote How To Train Your Dog and How To Raise The Perfect Dog.
In a recent TikTok video, the experienced dog trainer outlined techniques to garner more attention from your canine companion. Adam advised: "So before your dog gets anything fun or exciting, you wanna make sure you're waiting for eye contact."
He recommended that owners should seek eye contact with their pet in a variety of scenarios, such as before taking a walk, attaching their lead, unclipping the lead, or allowing them into the car or garden.
The canine professional detailed: "The more the dog learns acknowledgment of you leads to good things [and] the more the dog pays attention to you.
"When you're outside anytime the dog checks in with you, mark and reward. Mark random check-ins constantly and your dog will be a lot more attentive on you and if you really want to step it up, start hand feeding."
Adam added that improving your bond with your dog involves making them "work for every single bit of food."
He hailed hand feeding as a "game changer" and clarified that it requires you to "interact with your dog and get them to do something to get their food."
Dogs Trust, the UK's leading dog welfare charity, has indicated on its website that securing focus and attention from your pet is vital for training.
Without first ensuring their attention is on you, your dog "will likely be distracted and more interested in other things."
The organisation has set out two key steps to capture your dog's attention.
The initial step is to train your pet to look at you upon hearing their name. Dogs Trust advises: "Say their name and reward them with a tasty treat the moment they look at you.
"Repeat this several times, at least twice a day for about a week until they can reliably look at you when you say their name."
They recommend refraining from using their name unnecessarily over the next couple of weeks until it's clear they've grasped that their name being called means they should look at you.
The second step they propose is to introduce a marker word once your dog consistently responds to their name, such as 'yes', 'good girl' or 'good boy.'
Dogs Trust explains: "We introduce this word so that when we are training our dog and they do a nice behaviour that we like, we want them to look at us so we can give them a reward.
"With enough practice, you should notice that if they do something good and you say their marker word, they should look at you, expecting a treat or other reward."
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