'Obedience' Type Command Instruction
29.11.25Dog Training. Getting your dogs attention. Teaching the command 'Watch'.The dog training command "Watch" me is super useful.(This is to watch your eyes, for focus in the situation and can be useful before asking other commands, such as the Recall).Get your dog in front of you, either sitting or standing and say their name sharply in a commanding but friendly tone. Immediately offer a treat, do this once or twice. Then the third time, bring the treat up quickly just in front of your eyes, tell them to “Watch” as soon as they look at you (their eyes will be following the movement of the treat) then you can say, “Good dog” and give them the treat.Add the movement of your hand with the treat, back to your dogs face and up to your eyes. After a few repetitions, test how training is going. With any treats hidden away, ask your dog to 'Watch,' if their eyes dart quickly to yours, you have achieved the 'Watch Command.' If your dog starts snuffling around your hands, trying to find the the treats for example, you have some more practice to do!😂 Though a point here, when using treats for training, these should never be completely eliminated (just dramatically reduced over time and given sporadically) to keep your dog on their toes. Your dog will get so that they watch your eyes regardless of whether you have a treat, when you command the ‘Watch,' Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins ‘Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood’ thank you 🐾
29.08.25
Dog Training. The importance of timing in dog training.
Did you know many dog owners inadvertently train the opposite of what they want their dog to do?It all comes down to timing.An example of this is the ‘Off,’ for ‘Off the furniture.’Be aware of how you give the command for off the furniture. To teach ‘Off,’ off must be said extremely quickly, the second your dogs feet are all off the object or all on the ground (a very small window of time). Whilst it is important not to wait with this command it is also important not to say it too early, otherwise, the word “Off” is associated by your dog with being ON the item.This principle applies with commands like 'Quiet' too. Where your dog should actually be being quiet, at the time the word “Quiet” is said, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant, & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog training and behavioural tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins ‘Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood’ thank you 🐾
24.05.25Dog Training. Teaching your dog the hand 'Touch' commandTeaching a hand 'Touch' from your dog (very useful for getting a close 'recall' and then can be utilised as part of a positive distraction process around arousing stimuli); 'Touch' - Hold your hand out flat and wait for your dog to engage.- When your dog does engage say “Touch”- Immediately treat them here.If your dog doesn’t sniff at your hand, start by having a treat between two of your fingers and hold this out to them.Work towards targeting from further away, with your hand in different positions and then with increasing distractions around.Practice the hand ‘Touch’ using both hands too.You can ask for repeated ‘hand touches,' as you turn around on the spot, as part of your distraction process, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog training and behavioural tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins ‘Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood’ thank you 🐾
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Selina McIntyre of Dogs Best Friend, a qualified Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer in the Hamilton, Waikato, Tauranga and Rotorua areas of NZ since 2004.