What To Do If Your Dog Avoids Eye Contact During Training

Eye contact is one of the most important first behaviors to teach your dog. Once your dog is focused on you, training will become easier. Please see our post on “7 EASY TIPS TO KEEP YOUR DOG FOCUSED DURING TRAINING.”

Depending on the socialization your dog received as a puppy and experiences before you adopted your dog, eye contact may or may not be perceived as a good thing. The goal is to teach your dog that eye contact with people can result in positive things, like treats, playtime, and affection. If your dog avoids eye contact, below are some tricks you can try.

🐾 If your dog does not look at you, hold a treat at arm’s length, well above the dog’s head. Most likely, your dog will look at it and maybe try to jump for it. Don’t let her get the treat! If your dog is small, you may want to sit for this exercise, so you are at the dog’s height.

🐾 Click and treat when the dog looks at the treat. Slowly move the treat in your hand closer to your face. Click and treat every time the dog looks at the treat in your hand. You will gradually move the treat closer and closer to your face ending with it in front of your nose.

🐾 Click and treat when your dog looks at the treat in front of you. Once she is consistently looking at the treat in front of your nose, by default, she will start to also look at your eyes. This is the time when you introduce the cue “Watch me!” when your dog looks at you.

🐾 Depending on how reluctant your dog is about making eye contact, you may have to be patient and break the exercise into smaller steps. For example, one day you can show the treat and bring it 2 feet to the side of your face. Do 5-10 repetitions per day and stop.

🐾 Next day, bring the treat 1 foot to the side of your face, etc. Do 5-10 repetitions per day and stop.

🐾 Once your dog can look at your face without asking or giving any command, it is time to click and treat like crazy!

Most dogs can learn to make eye contact, but if your dog seems to be stressed, or has signs of fear or aggression, contact your veterinarian for advice.