'Obedience' Type Command Instruction
21.06.26
Dog Training. Dog Behaviour. The command 'Watch' or 'Look'
The dog training command "Watch" me (or "Look at me") is super useful.(This action is to watch your eyes, for focus in the situation and can be useful before asking other commands, such as the Recall - perhaps your dog has their head down snuffling in the grass and you want more focus here first).Training the 'Watch' -Get your dog in front of you, sitting or standing is fine. 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” (or "Look" if this is what you're gravitating to) as soon as they look at you (their eyes will be following the movement of the treat) then, “Good dog” and give them the treat.Add the movement of your hand with the treat, back towards 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!😂 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 Behaviourist, Trainer & Author, 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 🐾
09.05.26Dog Training. Dog Behaviour. Timing in dog training is key.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 with the ‘Off,’ command for ‘Off the furniture.’To teach ‘Off,’ off must be said extremely quickly, the instant your dogs feet are all off the object or all on the ground (a very small window of time). Whilst it's important not to wait with this command it's also important not to say it too early otherwise, the word “Off” is associated by your dog with being ON the furniture.This principle applies with commands like “Quiet” too. Where your dog should actually be being quiet, at the time the word “Quiet” is said (we actually use an interrupter for the barking first and then say quiet), Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog 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 🐾
25.04.26
Dog Training. Teaching a hand 'Touch' from your dog.
Teaching 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 Behaviourist & 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 🐾
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Selina McIntyre of Dogs Best Friend, a qualified Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer operating in the Hamilton, Waikato, Tauranga and Rotorua areas of NZ since 2004.