How to Get Your Dog to Focus on You: Teaching “Watch Me”
Teach eye contact on cue by rewarding the moment your dog looks from the treat to your face. Build to three seconds, then use it before doors, roads and distractions.
Is your dog pulling, barking or jumping up?
Tell us about your dog and get a training plan built for them: one five-minute guided session a day, and an AI coach that knows your dog. Your first lesson is free.
What you’re teaching
Step by step
- Hold a treat in your closed hand, out to the side at arm’s length. Say nothing.
- Your dog will stare at the hand. Wait. The instant their eyes flick to your face, say “Yes!” and give the treat.
- Repeat until they look at your face right away, about 5 to 10 tries.
- Now say “Watch” just before you expect them to look. Mark and treat.
- Stretch it: wait one second of eye contact before marking, then two, then three.
Common mistakes
- Holding the treat by your face. That lures the look and your dog learns to follow food, not to check in.
- Jumping from one second to five. Add time one second at a time.
Using it in real life
What to teach next
Check Safe Human Foods, Daily Calories & Breed Vet Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my dog make eye contact?
Some dogs find direct eye contact uncomfortable at first, and some are simply locked onto the food. Reward any glance toward your face to begin with, keep your expression soft, and build from a flick of the eyes to a second, then two.
Should I hold the treat next to my eyes?
No. That teaches your dog to look at the treat, which happens to be near your face. Hold it out to the side so that looking at you is a choice your dog makes.
Will this help with pulling and lunging on walks?
It’s one useful piece. A dog who checks in with you is easier to walk. For pulling, pair it with loose-leash training. Lunging, barking or growling at dogs or people is worth a session with a qualified trainer.
Put your dog on a magazine cover, free
Upload one photo and we’ll make your dog the cover star of Pupupp Magazine. Yours to keep and share.
Make my dog’s coverMore Guides for Dog Parents
Curated Gift & Keepsake Partner Guides
Verified Sister BrandHomeowners insurance rarely covers losing a tennis bracelet or stone outside the house. Compare BriteCo and Jewelers Mutual for $0-deductible worldwide jewelry protection.
See how 0.50 ctw, 1.00 ctw, and 2.00 ctw lab-grown diamond stud earrings actually look on the earlobe—plus screw-back vs. guardian push-back settings.
Compare certified D–F VS+ lab-grown diamond carat savings (60%–75% off mined retail) and find your exact bracelet or ring size.