Training Your Dog to Focus

I own a 30-pound Spitz/mix that used to be a stray. Missy is extremely shy, and I'd like to know how to teach her to stay focused on me.

Thank you for your time.~~Shari

Expert Reply

Hi Shari,

Good question. Teaching your dog to focus on you is step one before you can teach her nearly anything else. The quickest way to do that is through some positive conditioning.

You didn't mention how long you've had her, so I'll start as though you just got her. The first thing you will need to do is earn her trust. A simple way to do this is by using her name to call her to you, and then giving her affectionate praise, and perhaps a healthy treat. Doing this repeatedly will teach her what her name is, and also associate coming to you with pleasant things. It's important to always be even tempered, and consistant so she realizes she is safe with you.

Once she is responding to your call on a reliable basis, it's time to extend her focus. In basic obedience training, the first exercise taught is training your pet to ignore distractions. Distractions are anything that causes your dog to take its focus off you. This may be another dog, a person, a car, or anything else that catches her attention.

Try walking her on a six foot long leash, and watch for the moment she takes her focus off of you. When that happens, turn immediately and walk quickly in the opposite direction. Do not give her a call or any other indication that you have moved. We want her to be surprised by the sudden pull on the lead. This will automatically shift her focus back onto you. When she does, give her some calm praise and encouragement, and continue on.

This exercise is repeated each time she shifts her focus to something other than yourself. Eventually, you'll find that she is watching your every move to see where you're going next. This is similar to the way dogs behave in a pack. The "Alpha dog" is the leader, and the rest of the pack follows. Essentially you will become the Aplpha, and gain her focus. Once this is achieved you will be able to teach her other things because she is paying attention to you.

I encourage you to consider taking an obedience training course with Missy. The training is actually quite fun, you'll receive instructions from a professional trainer, and you're likely to form an even closer bond with Missy.

Thank you for your question.~~Kelly

Trying to Teach Dog Tricks

My dog is a seven-month-old Pomeranian, and I am trying to teach her how to do a handstand. She doesn't like to walk on her front paws, is very stubborn and refuses to focus on what I'm trying to teach her. Is there a way to teach her or do you recommend a dog training book I can get to help me?

~~ Magifiso

Expert Reply

Hi Magifiso,

I don't think your puppy is being "stubborn". It's probably very uncomfortable for her to be forced into such an awkward position, especially since her bones are still soft. If you insist in pursuing this, she might wind up with lasting joint damage.

I think you should accept her natural limitations and try teaching her other tricks she enjoys learning. Dog Tricks for Dummies by Sarah Hodgson might prove fun and useful. Why don't you give it a try?

~~ Kelly.