Your cue for eye contact could be "Look" or "Watch Me." The choice is yours –
because dogs don't speak, you can call it anything you want. Another option is
to use a hand signal or movement.
Teaching to Target
We will start by teaching the dog a nose touch to your hand that can later be
used for a variety of behaviours where you need the dog in a certain position.
To teach this target, place your hand about ten to thirteen centimetres in front of
your dog's nose. Most dogs will sniff your hand. When your dog's nose touches
your hand, click and treat. Repeat this several times. If your dog shows little
interest in touching your hand, practice a couple times with a treat in the target
hand to get the game started.
As the dog begins to quickly touch your hand for the click and treat, begin
moving your hand slightly farther away and to different heights and sides.
Each time the dog touches the hand target, click and treat. If the dog is slow
to respond (more than three to four seconds), remove your hand target for a
couple seconds and offer it again a little closer. Focus on getting several quick
repetitions in a training session.
You will quickly see how establishing a target behaviour will aid in teaching
recall, loose lead walking and much more.
Loose Lead Walking
No one enjoys walking with a dog who pulls constantly on the lead. Teaching
your dog to walk beside you on a loose lead can be accomplished with your
new clicker skills. If you have worked on the two previous, sections you can use
these skills to help you with loose lead walking. Having your dog's attention like
during "Look at Me" and/or using a target to keep your dog beside you during
the walk will keep the lead loose for a pleasant walk.
You can also use the Clicker to click the dog when he is walking beside you and
give a treat reward by your side. If the lead is pulled tight, simply stop walking
until your dog turns to you or returns to your side, then click and reward. For
most dogs a treat reward works best. With some dogs the chance to continue
walking is enough. We suggest you start with a treat reward and fade it out as
the dog performs the behaviour consistently.
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