🐾 Vet-Approved Guide: How to Teach Your Dog Eye Contact in 2025 🐶👀

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

👋 Hello paw-rents! Want a well-behaved, focused, and connected pup? 🐕‍🦺 One simple skill can unlock all that and more—👁️ eye contact! This fun, effective training tool builds trust, redirects attention, and strengthens your bond. Let’s dive into how to teach it—vet-style! 🧠💖

🌟 Why Eye Contact Is a Must-Have Skill 🧸

Training your dog to look at you on cue isn’t just cute—it’s incredibly useful! Here’s what it can do:

• 🎯 Improved Focus: Keeps your pup tuned into you, not the squirrels 🐿️
• 🔊 Better Communication: Helps them read your cues more easily 👂
• ❤️ Bond Booster: Builds trust and emotional closeness 🥰
• 🚨 Safety: Essential for redirection near roads, triggers, or off-leash play 🛑
• 🐕‍🦺 Training Versatility: Great for loose leash walking, impulse control, and more

📘 Step-by-Step Training: Teaching "Look" 👁️🐾

1️⃣ Pick a Marker 🔔

Use a clicker or a happy word like "Yes!" to mark when your pup gets it right ✅

2️⃣ Find a Chill Zone 🧘‍♂️

Start in a quiet room. Sit with some yummy treats 🍖 in hand and relax.

3️⃣ Reward Eye Contact 💡

As your pup glances at you 👀—mark and treat! 🧀💥 If they struggle, reward steps: looking near you, your body, your face, and finally your eyes 🐶➡️👁️

4️⃣ Add Your Cue 🗣️

Once they look regularly, introduce a cue like “Look” or “Watch me” 🎤

5️⃣ Test and Repeat 🔁

Say your cue, wait for eye contact, then mark and reward 🥳 Do this until it’s second nature 🌱

🚀 Taking It to the Next Level 🔝

📏 Add Distance ➡️

Stand a few feet away, say the cue, and reward when they lock eyes 🔭 Slowly increase the gap 🪜

⏳ Build Duration ⏱️

Stretch the time your dog holds eye contact 🧠⏲️ Mix it up—1 sec, 3 sec, 2 sec—to avoid patterns 🎲

🏡 Indoor Distractions 🧺

• 👣 Practice as you move around your home 🛋️
• 🍽️ Cue before mealtime
• 🚪 Cue before opening the door

🌳 Outdoor Distractions 🦆

• 🐾 Use on walks, at parks, and during car rides 🚗
• 🌆 Gradually increase the challenge with busier spots

🧩 Make Eye Contact Fun! 🎉

• 🎁 Use high-value treats often 🍗
• 💬 Keep the tone upbeat and rewarding 🎈
• ⏰ Keep sessions short—5 to 10 minutes

🧠 Troubleshooting Tips 🔧

😳 Dog Avoids Eye Contact?

No problem! Start slow—reward any look toward you. Avoid forcing it. Over time, your dog will feel more comfortable 🙌

😵 Distracted Easily?

Back up a step! Go back indoors or to a calmer spot and rebuild gradually 🧱

🎓 Wrap-Up: Look into My Eyes! 👁️❤️

With consistency and patience 🕊️, your dog will learn that focusing on you = fun + rewards 🎊 Eye contact becomes a go-to behavior for attention, connection, and calm—no matter where you are 🌎

Want expert help every step of the way? 🧑‍⚕️ Download the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com 📱 for personalized support, tips, and peace of mind. 🐾💬

👋 Until next time, happy training and keep those tails wagging! 🐕🎉