How to Teach a Dog to Make Eye Contact

Teaching your dog make eye contact is a valuable skill that helps them focus on you. This command is particularly useful in distracting situations, as it encourages your dog to look to you for direction. By using positive reinforcement, you can teach this command in a way that’s enjoyable and rewarding for your dog.

Supplies Needed for Teaching Eye Contact

1. High-Value Treats: Use small, soft treats that your dog finds irresistible.
2. Clicker (Optional): A clicker can be useful for marking the exact moment your dog makes eye contact.
3. Quiet Space for Training: Choose a calm, distraction-free environment to start, allowing your dog to focus fully on you.

Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Eye Contact

Step 1: Get Your Dog’s Attention

Start by standing or sitting in front of your dog in a quiet space. Hold a treat in your hand close to your face, between your eyes, to draw their attention to your face.

Step 2: Mark and Reward Eye Contact

Wait until your dog looks directly at the treat or, ideally, makes eye contact with you. The moment they look up, use the clicker or say “yes!” to mark the behavior, then immediately give them the treat. This shows your dog that looking at you results in a reward.

Step 3: Add the Verbal Cue

Once your dog starts looking at your face consistently, add the verbal cue “watch me” or “look.” Say the cue right as they begin to look up, then mark and reward. Repeat this process several times until your dog associates the verbal cue with the action of looking at you.

Step 4: Gradually Fade the Treat Lure

After your dog reliably responds to “watch me,” begin to remove the treat from your face. Hold your hand in front of your eyes without the treat, and reward only after they make eye contact. It can be helpful to reward from your other hand during this stage. That way, you can be sure the dog understands that he’s supposed to make eye contact with you rather than the treat.

Eventually, keep your hands at your side and give the verbal cue “watch me” on its own. Continue marking and rewarding each successful attempt.

Step 5: Increase the Duration of Eye Contact

Once your dog understands the command, you can start working on holding eye contact for longer. After they look up at you, wait a second or two before marking and rewarding. Gradually increase the duration, rewarding each time your dog holds eye contact for a bit longer.

Step 6: Practice with Distractions

Once your dog reliably responds to “watch me” in a quiet environment, introduce mild distractions, such as a toy or a family member walking by. Use the command, reward eye contact, and gradually increase the challenge by practicing in more distracting locations like a park.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. If Your Dog Loses Focus: Keep training sessions short, ideally 3–5 minutes, to prevent boredom. Try using higher-value treats if your dog seems distracted. This can be a difficult task for dogs with short attention spans, especially puppies.
2. If They Look Away Quickly: Practice patience and start with shorter eye contact intervals, building up slowly over time.
3. Increase Distractions Gradually: If your dog struggles to focus with distractions, go back to a quieter environment and build up slowly to more challenging scenarios.

Practical Uses for Eye Contact

“Watch me” is more than just a training exercise—it can be invaluable in daily life. Use it to get your dog’s attention before giving commands, or redirect their focus in a distracting environment. It’s also helpful in situations like crossing the street or when another dog is nearby, allowing you to regain your dog’s attention and help them stay calm. Though it’s not a solution to reactivity, it can be helpful in managing a reactive dog’s behavior.

Final Tips for Success

• Stay Consistent: Always use the same cue (“watch me” or “look”) to avoid confusing your dog.
• Be Patient: Dogs learn at different speeds, so stay positive and reward even small successes.
• Reward Often: Early in training, frequent rewards keep your dog motivated and excited to learn.

Building eye contact through the “watch me” command helps establish a strong foundation for training. It encourages your dog to look to you for guidance, strengthening your bond and enhancing their responsiveness. With practice, “watch me” will become a go-to tool for keeping your dog’s focus, no matter where you are.