Command: “Watch Me”
Training Steps:
- Capture Attention: Hold a treat near your face and say “Watch Me.”
- Maintain Eye Contact: Once your dog looks at you, maintain eye contact for a few seconds, then reward them with the treat.
- Increase Duration: Gradually extend the duration of eye contact before giving the treat. Start with a few seconds and build up to longer periods.
- Practice in Various Settings: Use this command in different environments with distractions to strengthen your dog’s focus on you.
Explanation: “Watch Me” is used to gain and hold your dog’s attention, which is crucial for effective communication and during training sessions. It helps keep your dog focused on you amidst distractions.
Use Case: This command is valuable during training sessions, in busy environments, or situations where your dog needs to ignore distractions, such as when crossing a street.