Watch

• Prerequisites

  • None

• Supplies You Need

  • Treats

• Training Time

  • Read Article

• Instructor

  

  Diane

  » Read Bio

• 
• 

The Watch Me command is used to get your dog’s attention. It is a FUNdamental tool for daily walks, a visit to the pet store, and for learning more advanced commands.

Process

Hold a small treat near your dog’s nose so that your dog can smell it.

Say Watch Me and slowly move the treat towards your face.

As soon as your dog glances at you, praise and reward your dog with the treat.

Release your dog with the OK command.

Once your dog understands Watch Me, try increasing the duration of your dog’s attention by waiting a couple seconds before rewarding. Slowly increase the time interval being sure to always reward before your dog looks away.

Tips

• Try fading the treat to a finger touch to your cheek and then just a verbal cue.

• Your goal should be for your dog to look at you and not the treat. A good test to see if your dog really knows Watch Me is to move the treat towards your face and then move the treat behind your back. Initially, the dog will follow the treat. Wait for your dog to look back at you without repeating the command. Immediately praise and reward when your dog looks at you.