Talking Dog Part 1 – Eye contact
When we are dog training we will always have more success ‘TALKING DOG’ rather than expecting your dog to understand ‘human.’‘Talking dog’ is an essential piece of dog training. In fact without it you are likely to have little or no success at all. Talking dog has three major elements:
1. Eye contact
2. Body language
3. Verbal commands
Dogs as a whole want to please. They are one of the most loving and intelligent animals out there, so when we are dog training it is vital we set them up for success and train in a way that they can understand, ie Teaching vs telling (see episode 1)
‘Talking dog’ is the most effective way to communicate with our dogs so they understand our expectations and we can start dog training
Here is the first stage of ‘Talking dog’ explained and a brief way of how to implement it. Check out the next blog entries for stage 2 body language and stage 3 verbal commands.
Eye Contact:
Understanding the importance of eye contact is vital as a dog owner. If implemented in a positive gentle manner, not only can you effectively communicate with your dog but you can also enhance their obedience, along with your bond and relationship with them too.
It plays a crucial role in establishing trust, conveying emotions and improving training outcomes with your dog.
Here is a breakdown of its importance:
- Eye contact can support the release of oxytocin, the ‘love hormone’ in both dog and owner enhancing feelings of affection and connection
- Dogs use eye contact to gage emotion and intention, positive eye contact can convey reassurance and calmness, while negative eye contact can signal dominance or threat
- Eye contact while dog training ensures the dog is focused and paying attention. Using eye contact during training can enhance a dogs responsiveness
- Eye contact can help indicate a dogs health or stress levels helping owners to detect problems early
Tips on how to implement:
- Start Slowly and Be Gentle - Begin by making brief, soft eye contact and then look away. Gradually increase the duration as the dog becomes more comfortable. This is even more important if puppy training
- Use Positive Reinforcement - Reward your dog with treats, praise, or affection when they make eye contact. This helps them associate eye contact with positive outcomes.
- Pair Eye Contact with Commands - Integrate eye contact into training sessions. For example, before giving a command, ensure the dog is looking at you. This helps reinforce focus and attention. When obedience training maintain eye contact for 5 seconds to ensure the dog remains focus and engaged
- Practice in a Calm Environment - Start practicing eye contact in a quiet, distraction-free environment, ie a home setting training would be perfect. As the dog becomes more comfortable, you can practice in different settings.
- Avoid Intimidating Gestures - Do not stare intensely or loom over the dog, as this can be perceived as threatening and discourage the dogs obedience. Keep your posture relaxed and your gaze soft.
- Observe your Dog’s Body Language - Pay attention to signs of discomfort or stress, such as turning away, yawning, or lip licking. If the dog seems uncomfortable, give them space and try again later.
- Incorporate Eye Contact into Daily Routines - Use everyday interactions as opportunities to practice eye contact. For instance, before feeding or during playtime, encourage your dog to make eye contact. Delivered correctly effective eye contact can be used when lead walking to prevent lead pulling,
Check out part 2 body language on next weeks blog
If you live in Nottingham, Newark, Mansfield or the surrounding areas and would like support with your dog training get in touch via phone, email, online via my website or on socials and see how I can help.
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