Watch (Watch Me)
Teach your dog to make eye contact on cue—building focus, engagement, and calm communication anywhere.
Overview
Watch (or Watch me) teaches your dog to look at your eyes on cue. That tiny moment changes everything: you get attention before action, which makes recalls, leash walking, and greetings much easier. It’s a calm, positive way to redirect your dog in exciting places and is a cornerstone for dogs working through distractions or reactivity.
Topics
Key Benefits & Features
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Instant focus: Eyes up → brain engaged → better responses to the next cue.
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Calmer walks: Use it to reset near triggers (dogs, people, noises).
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Safer choices: Looking to you replaces staring, fixating, or rushing ahead.
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Everyday utility: Works at curbs, store entrances, vet lobbies, and during training.
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Confidence building: Short wins stack into longer, steadier attention.
Training Phases & Steps (simple, step-by-step)
Setup: Quiet space, small treats, non-retractable leash. Use a marker (“Yes!” or click) to pinpoint success.
Teaching (quiet room)
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Say “Watch” once. Lift a treat to your eyebrow line.
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The instant your dog meets your eyes—even a quick glance—mark “Yes!” and deliver the treat.
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Repeat 6–10 times. Keep reps short and upbeat.
Advance when: Your dog looks up quickly after the cue.
Build duration (1–5+ seconds)
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After the cue, wait 1 second of eye contact → mark → treat.
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Grow to 2–3–5 seconds over multiple mini-sessions. If they look away early, reset and try a shorter time.
Remove the lure
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Say “Watch,” keep the treat at chest level (not by your face).
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Mark/treat for eye contact. Gradually move treats to a pouch or pocket.
Add simple distractions
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Practice with mild movement (take a step, shift weight) or a toy on the ground.
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Cue Watch → mark/treat for success → take a short break. Keep it easy and positive.
Proofing (real life)
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Practice in the yard, sidewalk, parking lot. Start at easy distances from distractions, then close the gap over time.
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Insert Watch before other cues (heel, sit, recall) for snappier responses.
Your Role at Home
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Use one cue, then wait. Avoid repeating “Watch, watch, watch.”
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Keep body language calm and face soft; breathe. Dogs read our energy.
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Reward eyes, not just “being near you.” Precise timing is everything.
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End before your dog gets bored; many short wins beat one long session.
Who It’s For
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Puppies and teens learning self-control around distractions.
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Dogs that fixate or struggle to refocus on walks.
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Families who want a quiet redirection tool instead of leash tugs or nagging.
Quick Start Checklist
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Pick your cue: “Watch” or “Watch me.”
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Prep 20–30 tiny treats.
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Do 3 micro-sessions today (60–90 seconds each).
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Goal: 1–2 seconds of clean eye contact in a quiet room by day’s end.
Best Practices (Do / Don’t)
| Do | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Mark the instant eyes meet yours. | Builds a clear “eye contact = reward” rule. |
| Grow duration gradually. | Prevents frustration and glances away. |
| Practice in new places slowly. | Generalizes the skill to real life. |
| Pair Watch → cue (e.g., heel). | Better results when the brain is “online.” |
| Keep the tone warm and friendly. | Dogs choose to look when it feels good. |
| Don’t | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Don’t repeat the cue. | Say it once, then wait. |
| Don’t lure forever. | Fade food from your face to your chest, then pouch. |
| Don’t start in chaos. | Win easy reps indoors first. |
| Don’t reward stare-downs at triggers. | Ask for Watch and pay the eye contact. |
| Don’t punish misses. | Reset, lower difficulty, reward success. |
Everyday Examples
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At a curb: Say Watch → 2–3s of eyes → cross together.
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Before a cue: Watch → then “Heel” or “Sit” for crisper responses.
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Near a distraction: Dog spots another dog → Watch → reward → turn or continue calmly.
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In a store: Pause by an aisle → Watch → reward → move on.
Common Questions & Answers
What if my dog won’t make eye contact at all?
Use higher-value treats and a very quiet room. Lift the treat toward your eyes and mark tiny glances—even a half-second counts. Chain short wins; duration can come later.
How long should my dog hold eye contact?
Start with 1–2 seconds, then grow to 3–5 and beyond. In busy places, even a split-second is a win you should reward. Context drives duration.
Can I use Watch instead of corrections when my dog is distracted?
Yes. Watch is a calm redirection. Pair it with distance from the trigger, then praise and go about your business. It teaches your dog a job (look to you) rather than just “don’t do that.”
My dog looks and then immediately looks away—help?
Your ask is likely too long. Pay shorter eye contact for a bit, speed up your mark, and keep sessions brief. Add duration later.
Should I use a clicker or a word?
Either works. A clicker is very precise; a happy “Yes!” is convenient. Be consistent with whichever you choose.
Troubleshooting
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Dog fixates on the treat, not your eyes: Move treats to your chest or pouch; bring an empty hand to your face, then reward from the pouch after the mark.
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Breaking eye contact early: Lower duration, reduce distractions, and raise rate of reinforcement for a few sessions.
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Over-aroused outdoors: Increase distance from triggers, cue Watch once, and celebrate short eye contact. Insert brief movement breaks.
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Slow response to the cue: Practice a Watch → treat pattern 6–8 times in a row indoors to sharpen the association.
Glossary
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Marker: A quick signal (“Yes!”/click) that tells your dog the exact moment they were right.
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Duration: How long your dog maintains eye contact after the cue.
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Rate of reinforcement: How frequently you reward—higher rates speed learning.
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Trigger: Something that excites or worries your dog (dogs, people, sounds).
Watch is the simplest way to switch your dog’s attention back to you—and attention is the gateway to everything else. Build it in quiet spaces, mark tiny wins, and expand to new places at your dog’s pace. Use it before cues, near distractions, and during public outings. With a few short sessions each week, you’ll get smoother walks, quicker responses, and a dog that chooses to check in with you.