What's the big deal with attention?

Attention is the key that makes training possible. Your puppy watches you and your family all the time. He is constantly learning from observation. Now we want him to learn that watching you is fun and rewarding, too!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Observe your puppy this week. Mark (say “YES”) and reinforce whenever you notice him giving you quiet attention, in other words watching you. Reinforce calmly with you own attention, a smile, a touch or a piece of his food. Immediately ignore any unwanted, rude or pushy behaviors.

2. Say his name at a time or place when your puppy is usually already interested in you one time only. Immediately mark and reward when your puppy looks at you. Reward with anything your puppy finds interesting: a treat, a toy or scratching a favorite spot. Repeat frequently.

3. Loose interest immediately if your puppy jumps on you. Turn your back, look at the ceiling or even leave the room. Immediately mark and reinforce when all four feet are on the ground.

4. Lure your puppy’s attention in the beginning if necessary. Touch the treat to his nose and then bring it up to your face. Mark (say “YES”) when he makes eye contact with you. Immediately give him the treat. Repeat about 4 times. Next, touch the treat to his nose and then move your arm out to your side at shoulder height. Wait for him to look away from the treat and into your eyes. Mark and immediately give him the treat. This second part teaches the puppy that looking in your eyes is what gets the treat.

5. Hide the reward/reinforcer once your puppy starts to catch on. Don’t have the food or toys visible when you speak to him. Produce the reward as soon as your puppy comes and looks at you as a fun surprise. Start varying the rewards as much as possible. Sometimes food or toys or games or rubs, etc.

6. Try hiding or playing with his toys by yourself or pretend to eat his treat if your puppy doesn’t come when you say his name. Ignore him if he tries to join in. Make it well worth his effort to look at you.

7. Train in an area where your puppy already pays attention to you, like the kitchen. Gradually move to other areas and introduce distractions. Use “higher value” rewards when moving to a new area or adding a new distraction.

8. Keep a log or diary so you are aware of changes in behavior. Changes can be small and take time. It is easy to overlook success if you aren’t paying attention!

TROUBLESHOOTING: NO CHANGE? MAKE SURE YOU AREN’T USING HIS NAME TO SCOLD OR NAG. ONLY SAY IT ONCE.