'Watch me' don't get the dog to look into your eyes?

[kita]

It is worth being careful when you train the 'watch me' command that you don't look/stare into the dogs eyes when it looks at you.

Try and look at the gap just between its ears, you can still see that the dog is looking at you so you can still praise it when it does.

The reason for doing this is that some dogs can see it as a direct challenge if you meet their eyes and indeed some more insecure/nervous dogs can be very much cowed or scared if you do this.

You are not trying to 'stare' your dog down, you are just trying to get his/her attention on you.

Sue

Originally Posted by kita

It is worth being careful when you train the 'watch me' command that you don't look/stare into the dogs eyes when it looks at you.

Try and look at the gap just between its ears, you can still see that the dog is looking at you so you can still praise it when it does.

The reason for doing this is that some dogs can see it as a direct challenge if you meet their eyes and indeed some more insecure/nervous dogs can be very much cowed or scared if you do this.

You are not trying to 'stare' your dog down, you are just trying to get his/her attention on you.

Sue

Good advice Sue. And use bright, 'open face' if you know what I mean, not a scowl or frown. Dogs do the left gaze thing so are very perceptive re human facial expressions.

See what happens if you smile at your dog - what does it do? And if you look directly at your dog with a neutral expression and it quickly averts its gaze then you seriously need to work on your relationship with your dog!

[Beki]

very good point sue!!

[ianock]

I get sasha to 'look' at me to calm her down when throwing the ball which seems to work so she looking at me & not fixated to the ball in my hand.

Is this wrong

[Sophie]

Ian that's fine just don't stare directly into your dog's eyes. They can look at your eyes but don't stare back into his.

[RstuS]

Bodie constantly looks in my eyes whether I have a blank expression or not. and I can look directly into his without him looking away. He's looking for my next move, and if I smile or he makes me laugh thats it, he knows. For example, Im watching tv and theres a toy placed on my lap, I really want to watch something, think he will give up as he looks at the side of my face I got no expression for him to go on, he wont give up and it makes me laugh, he knows then "Ive got him" Then the Mrs gives me a row because "we" are making too much noise