The Best Trick Your Dog Doesn’t Know: Watch Me!
Teaching your dog tricks can be fun and impress dinner guests, but there’s another side to schooling your canine on key commands—it can keep them safe. For example, commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it” have major safety benefits when you consider how they might apply to a walk on a busy street or keeping your dog from eating something poisonous. This week, we’re going to discuss a less often used but no less important command, “watch me.
Watch me” should signal to your dog that they need to shift their focus immediately to you. You might be wondering why you would want your dog to pay attention to you when their world already revolves around you (ha), but this command can keep your pet safe if distractions present dangers.
Imagine the world from your dog’s perspective. A noisy bus may seem like a chugging monster they should run from. A squirrel on the other side of a busy street may instantly become irresistible. The bobcat pawing through the trees may look like an immediate threat your dog must protect you from. Another dog passing on the sidewalk might start a barking fit or even a fight. Whenever your dog is distracted by something that could endanger them, “watch me” gets them to focus on you and trust your leadership instead.
Here’s how to practice the command with your dog. Let them see that you have a small treat in your hand, then hold the treat between your eyes and say “Buster, watch me.” When Buster looks at you, give him the treat. Saying the dog’s name with the command will help them remember you are talking to them, not someone else. This helpful video demonstrates the simple technique.
If your dog has this command down pat, the next time you want them to focus on you instead of what’s going on around you, “watch me” will draw the animal’s attention off the external stimulation until the potential conflict or danger has passed. If you consistently reward the command with a treat, petting and verbal praise, your dog will learn that watching you on command is much more rewarding than focusing on whatever else might be distracting her.
Whenever you have questions about how to train your dog, or for recommendations on our trusted partner trainers here in Frisco, Texas, feel free to reach out to us at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals. We’re trained animal surgeons who know all about the ins and outs of helping animals be happy and healthy!