How to Train Your Dog to Focus
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Introduction
Focus is about getting your dog’s attention and keeping it. Focus is imperative to training obedience and commanding respect. Your dog will live a lifetime in a world of distractions. To keep him and others safe, you will need to be able to get his attention and hold his focus. Everyday pets need to know how to stay on task and remain focused, but you might also be training a working dog whose job it will be to save lives. Those dogs will need to remain focused in order to do their jobs. No matter the role of the dog in your life, you will need to take on the role of his leader. Having control over your dog and leading him will be a huge aspect of building the bond between you two. Having your dog focus on command is it part of building that bond.
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Defining Tasks
Teaching your dog to focus gives him an opportunity to pause and focus his attention on you. Dogs do not inherently have good manners. They must be taught. Anytime you see your dog losing focus in a way that could potentially cause harm or make someone uncomfortable is a great time to use these focus methods, because even though manners aren't something your dog is born with, most people are going to expect a well-mannered dog if they are to be around him.
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Getting Started
Be sure to train basic commands before you try focus methods. This may take several weeks but be patient and consistent. Focus is not difficult to train, it just requires a lot of repetition and placing yourself in different situations where your dog varying degrees of distraction to keep him challenged and growing.
You will need just a few things the teach your dog to focus:
- Treats
- A leash to teach him to focus while on walks
- A clicker if you clicker train
- Patience and time for small training sessions several times a week.
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The Watch Me Method
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Get your dog's attention
While walking together, if your dog is distracted, grab his attention by saying his name.
Stand still
Plant yourself firmly without moving until your dog stands calmly as well.
Treat
Hold a treat up to your face and use the keywords, ‘watch me.’
Attention
When you have your dog's attention, give him verbal praise and offer the treat.
Repeat
Each time your dog is distracted on your walk, use the ‘watch me’ tactic to get his attention again.
Practice
Continue practicing this method on several walks until your dog gives you his attention every time you use the command ‘watch me.’
The Clicker Method
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Treats
Prepare yourself with lots of treats and a clicker.
Entice
Toss a treat over your dog’s head and behind him. Allow him to get it and eat it.
Eye contact
When your dog looks at you after eating the treat, say the word, “focus”, click, and give him another treat. Be sure to reward as soon as he makes eye contact with you.
Repeat
Repeat this about ten times in one training session.
Practice
Practice daily for a week or two.
Introduce distractions
Once your pup has the behavior mastered, put him in a place with distractions and repeat.
Command only
Practice and move toward only using the keyword only without tossing the treat.
Reward
Be sure to reward your dog once he makes eye contact with you.
The Wait Method
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Leash
Starting in your home or your backyard, begin a small walk with your dog on a leash.
Start and Stop
Take a few steps with your dog and then stop.
Command
Face your dog. With your palm out facing your dog, put your hand up and say the command “wait” while blocking his path forward.
Treat
Once your dog stops walking ad focuses his attention on you, give him a treat.
Continue walk
Wait a few seconds and move a few more steps.
Repeat
Repeat the above steps until your dog is used to the command. He should stop and stay still, focused on you when you ask him to wait.
Written by Amy Caldwell
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/18/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
More articles by Amy Caldwell
Training Questions and Answers
freckles
American Pit Bull Terrier
5 Years
Question
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i adopted freckles 2 years ago and i struggle with a couple things while trying to train... i’ve never been able to get/keep his attention while we’re outside especially while we’re walking... it’s like he avoids checking in and looking at me. he also pulls on walks but we’ve been getting better (he wears a harness). and when we are inside (usually when we have the AC on and especially with storms) he shivers, whines, begs, paces and paints around the house and we can’t get him to stop, we try cuddling and petting him but it seems to make it worse.. there is nothing wrong medically! he is a wonderful carrying dog, he’s great with all animals and people big and small. he loves to cuddle and sleep and is not a fan of toys at all but a huge fan of treats lol. thank you so much !!
June 11, 2020
freckles's Owner
Darlene Stott - Dog Trainer and Groomer
104 Dog owners recommended
Very handsome! An excellent method that will help Freckles focus on your walks (and it's a great skill to know) is Heel. Use the Turns Method and the Treat Lure Method (vary it over walking sessions): https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel/. As well, work on his listening skills: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you/. As for the fear, try buying Freckles a Thunder Shirt - they do work! Also see if you can distract him with a Kong stuffed with a high value treat such as mushed kibble with a few liver treats hidden inside. Try a diffuser with dog appeasing pheromones. Good luck and all the best to Freckles!
June 12, 2020