Teaching the Watch Me command

[Carolk9s]

found this article, the watch me or look command can help lay a solid foundation to your training program.

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/deb_wood/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/living/1041944688178850.xml

[bk_blue]

I liked that Carol. What would you suggest for a dog who doesn't respond to food? eg. Blitz is not interested in food when there are more exciting things around (maybe he just knows he will always get fed by me because he is spoilt LOL).

[Carolk9s]

Is he a toy fanantic? A squeaky perhaps? A clicker can do wonders as it tells the dog very quickly that they have done right. If he is a toy driven dog, you can use that to get his attention along with the command. At first, as soon as he looks at your face, throw the toy right away. Gradually increase his 'wait' time. You can also use the clicker, as soon as he looks at you, click and PRAISE.
Maybe with the 'right' kind of food he'd change his mind, try something really different from what he usually gets to set the pattern. Maybe some little chunks of boiled chicken? Hotdog? Liver? Cheese?
Sometimes it can be puzzling but fun to find out what turns YOUR dog on!

[bk_blue]

Carol, he's not into toys at all :roll: unfortunately. Sometimes even the best food doesn't work if he's really distracted. This mainly happens at obedience, he likes to watch the other dogs in the higher classes strut their stuff, ignoring me and my "drop" "come" "stay" etc. I might look into a clicker- can you get them at the pet shop?
They taught us the "watch me" command, said in a higher pitched voice, and I practise it with him and it works most of the time... but in class he just gets so distracted.