Dog Behaviour – How to Get and Keep Your Dog’s Attention

Getting your dog’s attention is one of the most important foundations for achieving the behaviour you want. Once you’ve got their focus — and can keep it — you’ll be amazed how quickly training progress follows.

Keeping your dog’s attention isn’t just useful for competition work — it’s invaluable in everyday life too, from walking calmly on a lead to listening to you when distractions are everywhere.

Step 1: Introduce a “Watch” Command

🐶 Choose a new command such as “watch” or “look at me” (avoid using their name — it needs to be a separate word).
🐶 Use a tasty, favourite treat to draw their eyes up to your face.
🐶 The moment they look at you, praise warmly, give the treat, and say your command.
🐶 Release them from the command.

Repeat this process, gradually increasing the time they maintain eye contact.

Step 2: Build Focus Through Repetition

🐾 Keep repeating the exercise — each time asking your dog to hold their gaze for just a little longer.
🐾 Reward and praise generously when they focus on you.
🐾 Over time, they’ll automatically look at you when they hear the “watch” command.

As with all training, you can gradually phase out the treat and rely more on praise, keeping the occasional treat as a surprise reward.

Step 3: Add Distractions Slowly

Once your dog is responding to you well in a quiet place, begin to add distractions.

🐶 Start small — perhaps someone walking past or a toy nearby.
🐶 Praise them the instant they succeed, release them, and play together.

Training must always feel like a positive, happy experience for both of you.

Step 4: Be Patient and Positive

🐾 Build your dog’s attention span gradually — tiny increments add up to big results.
🐾 Never get frustrated or angry if they lose focus.
🐾 Simply reset, praise when they get it right, and ensure the treat you use is one they truly love.

The Key Ingredients

The magic recipe for building attention and good behaviour?

Praise, fun, and patience.

With these three things, you’ll build trust, strengthen your bond, and create a dog that looks to you for guidance with joy and confidence.

🐾 Would you like more step-by-step help with your dog? You’ll find proven solutions in my Dog Training DVDs and Online Courses — trusted by over 26,000 dog owners worldwide. And remember to scroll back up to grab your FREE eBook, packed with kind, effective methods to stop pulling, aggression, and unwanted behaviour.