Eye contact is a powerful communication tool that can strengthen the bond between you and your dog. When your pup looks into your eyes, it's not just a simple glance – it's a moment of connection and understanding. By teaching your dog how to make eye contact, you can establish trust, enhance communication, and foster a deeper relationship. Ideally this would be taught at a young age.
Have you ever been told that dogs find eye contact threatening? While this may be the case, it is typically a prolonged stare. We are teaching our dog a cue to look at us, praise and then treat them. If you find that your dog struggles with making eye contact, praise for even the quickest glimpse at you and let them work their way up in time from there.
The Benefits of Eye Contact
- Trust and Respect: When your dog makes eye contact with you, it demonstrates trust and respect. It shows that they value your presence and see you as a leader and a source of guidance. Building trust is an important part of communication and being able to provide enrichment to your dog.
- Focus and Attention: Teaching your dog to maintain eye contact helps to improve their focus and attention during training sessions or in distracting environments. By redirecting their focus towards you, you can keep their attention on the task at hand and ensure better learning outcomes. This is something that I use frequently with my fearful pups. When something scary is approaching, they know they can look at me and trust me to keep them safe while that scary thing passes us by.
- Communication and Understanding: Eye contact is a form of non-verbal communication that allows you to convey messages to your dog and gauge their responses. It helps in understanding their needs, desires, and emotional state. Eye contact can serve as a silent language between you and your dog, strengthening your connection and working on effective communication.
Teaching Eye Contact: Step-by-Step Guide
- Start in a Quiet Environment: Begin the training process in a quiet space free from distractions. This will help your dog focus solely on you and the training exercise.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: Grab some small, tasty treats that your dog loves. Hold a treat in your hand and bring it up to your face, between your eyes. Wait for your dog to make eye contact with you. Immediately mark.
- Mark and Reward: As soon as your dog makes eye contact, mark the behavior with a verbal cue like "Yes!" or a clicker if you are using one. Immediately follow the mark with a treat as a reward. Repeat this process at least 5 times, gradually increasing the duration of eye contact before giving the reward. Remember to always mark first, then treat. As soon as they make eye contact, “YES”, then give them the treat.
- Add the Cue: Once your dog starts to understand the concept of eye contact, introduce a verbal cue like "Look" or "Eyes." As you say the cue, bring the treat up to your face and wait for your dog to make eye contact. Mark and reward the behavior as before. Consistently using the cue will help your dog associate the word with the action. Do this at least 5 times.
- Generalize the Behavior: Practice the eye contact exercise in different environments with increasing distractions. Gradually introduce mild distractions such as other people or toys while ensuring your dog maintains focus on you. By gradually increasing the difficulty, your dog will become adept at making eye contact regardless of the distractions around them.
- Reinforce and Maintain: Eye contact should be reinforced consistently throughout your dog's life. Incorporate eye contact training into everyday activities such as before mealtime, before going for walks, or when giving basic cues. Regular reinforcement will help strengthen the behavior and keep your dog engaged with you.
Remember, patience and consistency are essential when teaching eye contact to your dog. Some dogs may pick it up quickly, while others may take more time. Always end training sessions on a positive note and keep the experience enjoyable for both you and your dog. Always set your dog up for success.
By teaching your dog the art of eye contact, you're not only improving their life and focus but also deepening your connection and understanding. This simple yet powerful skill will enhance your enrichment sessions and create a stronger bond with your furry companion.