One of the most challenging aspects of obedience training is getting and holding your dog’s attention. The younger the dog, the shorter the attention span. The smallest distraction could tear your pet’s gaze away from you and have him up and running elsewhere. Avoid this problem by learning a few tricks to maintain your pet’s focus. Not only will this aid in training, it will also help keep your beloved pet out of potentially dangerous situations, such as a busy street or encounters with unfamiliar dogs.

Come and Find Me

When you bring your puppy home, you should immediately start laying the basic training foundation. Let your pet play a little “come and find me.” That means keep your pup around you, even when you are not training. If he wanders away, give him a few minutes then find him and bring him back. Always lavish him with praise and petting once he is near you. Repeat this until your pup learns to come and find you on his own. Every time he seeks you out (even if you did not call), reward him. He will soon learn that you want him nearby and that being with you is a positive thing for him.

As he gets older, and better at this game, having him off leash outside of your home may be a possibility. However I must stress that anytime you are in an unfamiliar place or an area near a potential danger, even the most obedient dog should be left on leash. The safety of your canine companion should always come first.

The Noise Factor

Some dogs make a lot of noise when they get excited. This can be very annoying for you. Some dogs learn bad habits, such as barking at people outside of windows. While having a guard to alert you to intruders is a benefit to dog owning, there are times when you do not need to know someone is outside. For example if you live in an apartment or more urban area where pedestrians walk by your front window often, or a place where cars pass by frequently.

Getting your dog’s attention while he is worked up can seem impossible. If you want to break the habit, you must get him to focus on you so you can show him the proper way to react. Use noise to your advantage. Do not yell or scream, but try making a sharp, unfamiliar sound. This could be the crinkle of plastic or the sound of pennies in a jar or can. Once you have his attention, praise him for being quiet. You may even offer a treat reward. In time, he will learn being silent is a more desirable way to respond when he sees movement outside.

Reward to your Benefit

Use a reward, such as your pet’s favorite toy or a treat, as a way of getting his attention. While you do not want to over feed your pet, the occasional biscuit or healthy dog snack is a great motivation in the battle against distraction. This proves handy when clicker training as well. Nothing gets a dog’s focus faster than a potential treat!

Alpha Says No!

You should always be the alpha in your dog’s eyes. That means he will learn to listen to your command. If you have difficulty keeping your dog’s attention, a firm “no” may be what he needs. You may also opt to scruff your dog if his lack of attention results in bad behavior. Do not worry, this is something even a mother dog would do and it is a natural form of correction in the canine world. Many people discover it is more effective and far less aggressive than spanking or other forms of doggy punishment.

Always accompany a scruff with a sharp “no!” Never scream and yell, but speak firmly with a lower tone. Your dog will quickly understand you mean business. If he goes for his toy while you are trying to train, a solid “no.” may be enough to get his focus back on you and his rear planted where you tell him to plant it!

Dogs are wonderful pets; however they require a significant amount of time and energy when it comes to training. A well trained canine will make for a far more relaxed and peaceful coexistence. Not to mention visitors will appreciate your dog’s docile demeanor. Getting your dog’s attention is the first step to training a well behaved pup. Once you learn the best ways that work with your dog, you can move on to more advanced training. Once you have your dog’s attention, the possibilities are endless!