5 Easy Steps to Teach Watch Me Command

Ever wondered how to make your dog pay attention to you? Canines are known for their free spirit and desire to explore the world around them. But for you, as an owner, a simple walk in the park can become a daunting experience if your furry companion gets distracted and continuously ignores your commands.

Focus dog training aims to teach your pet to concentrate on you no matter what; the “Watch Me” command is indispensable. Let’s break it down.

Why Is It Important to Teach a “Watch Me” Command?

The purpose of the “Watch Me” or “Look at Me” command is to give you an effective tool to get your dog’s attention. It can be a building block for performing other commands. It works excellently in busy environments where your pet may have difficulty concentrating on you.

You can also integrate the command into the training process. Once your doggo pays do attention to you, they’re ready to get new instructions from you. Making them look at you on a cue can simplify teaching other commands.

How to Teach a “Look at Me” Command

Let’s discuss how to train your dog to focus on you using a verbal cue or a hand signal. Before you start, conduct the training in a quiet, distraction-free area. Also, stock up on the treats you’ll use as a reward for following your pompts.

Step 1: Initiate eye contact

Pick up a treat and hold it in front of your dog’s nose. Move the treat up close to your forehead. Your puppy will naturally follow the treat and start staring at you. Once it happens, mark the behavior and offer a treat, preferably from the other hand.

Step 2: Work on consistency

Keep practicing the sequence daily until you get a consistent response. Make the training sessions short (3-5 minutes) and fun by inserting other commands your dog already knows between the "Watch Me" parts of training.

Also, make this regular to ensure better results. At some point, your canine student will start looking at you when lured with an empty hand.

Note: If your furry friend refuses to follow your empty hand, you can run a treat through your fingers to make them smell tasty.

Step 3: Introduce the verbal cue

Now, you can work on adding a verbal command, “Watch Me” or “Look at Me.” Use the hand movement described above to encourage your dog to look at you. But this time, say “Watch Me!” before using the gesture. After a while, your furry companion should start looking at you consistently, following your verbal command only.

Step 4: Increase the duration

Gradually increase the amount of time your dog should maintain eye contact. Start with withholding a treat for a second or two and slowly build up the duration of the stare. If the dog looks away before maintaining direct eye contact for the desired time, go back a step and build up the duration more slowly.

Note: Remember that staring in the canine world is not a friendly signal (they do it to threaten another dog). So, typically, your dog is choosing to avoid eye contact for a long time.

Step 5: Add distractions

To teach a dog the “Watch Me” command effectively, you must work on using the cue in the real world with multiple distractions present. To prepare your pet to focus on you in different environments, practice the following sequence:

1. Hold a treat in your hand and move your arm to the side of your body. Your dog will most likely look at the treat in your hand.
2. Wait until your furry companion looks at you to understand why you’re withholding the treat. At this moment, mark the behavior and offer the reward.
3. Keep practicing until your student understands that looking at you is a way to earn a reward.
4. Add the command “Watch Me!” before you hold a treat. 

Note: Some canines aren’t food-motivated, so you can reward them with toys or fun games.

Why Won't My Dog Look Me in the Eyes?

Some canines avoid eye contact as it makes them feel uncomfortable. It can be a sign of stress, fear, or anxiety. In canine communication, eye contact can be interpreted as threatening sometimes. It's unnatural to use eye contact in a friendly way.

Be mindful of your pet’s body language, and don’t force them to look at you. Instead, take a break from training sessions and help your canine student calm down. Later, you can resume the training sessions once your furry companion shows no discomfort.

Tips on How to Get Your Dog to Focus on You

Teaching the “Watch Me” command for dogs is easier if you can make them concentrate on you. Looking at the owner on command is a habit that can be developed like any other behavior. Here are some tips on how to do it: 

1. Always reward eye contact to encourage the desired behavior.
2. Work on impulse control by teaching basic commands.
3. Gradually add distance and duration to the command, going back one step or slowing down if needed.
4. Don’t run long training sessions, as dogs tend to lose focus.

Wrap Up

Teaching the “Watch Me” command is essential for maintaining a dog’s focus in a busy environment. It can also assist with teaching other commands. Start by luring them to look at you, gradually fade the lure, add distractions, and increase the command duration.