Getting Attention
It is vital for your relationship with your puppy that he is able to learn from you, especially when training him in obedience. He needs to know you are the leader, and this is why getting his attention is crucial.
Being able to hold your puppy’s attention is an essential part of his training that will greatly assist you when teaching him commands, such as “sit,” “stand,” or “down.” The technique for this is known as “watch me,” and it entails getting your puppy to fix his attention on you through the use of the clicker and treats. “Watch me” is also a highly effective way of gaining your puppy’s attention when he is distracted and calming him down when he is excited. It helps to enhance your control and you can use it as a preliminary instruction to get your puppy to look at you before asking him to carry out a command. The treats encourage your puppy to realize the benefit of focusing on you. This technique is worth extensive practice—the better you are able to hold your puppy’s attention, the greater the progress the two of you will make.
Practice getting your puppy’s attention. Use the “watch me” technique demonstrated at Watch Me.