Attention is one of the hardest behaviors to train your dog. With my method of clear, consistent communication as a baseline, you can master your dog’s attention. Once you can get your dog to look at you have a solid foundation for training and behavior. That is why it is the hardest behavior to train as many owners skip over this behavior as they think it’s a given behavior that requires no work. The three main reasons why attention is so hard to train are Boredom, Distractions, and Inconsistent Expectations. Read on to learn how to master the hardest behavior to train.
Boredom
Dogs can have a hard time not focusing if something in their environment is worrying them, such as a loud noise or another dog barking. To help your dog focus, you can start training in a quiet, familiar environment with minimal distractions, and then gradually introduce more distractions
Distractions
Dogs may become attention-seeking if they’re bored or frustrated, which could be due to a lack of exercise, mental stimulation, or attention from their owners.
Inconsistent Expectations
If different people in your household ask your dog to do the same thing in different ways or reward different behaviors, your dog may become confused and seem stubborn. To avoid this, make sure everyone who spends time with your dog uses the same commands and cues.
Tips to Help Train Attention
Use Positive Reinforcement
Make Training Fun
Keep sessions short
Use Clear, Consistent Communication method
