"watch" command

[Jennifer Hughes]

Is there a difference between the "watch" or "look" command and simply calling the dog's name and expecting her attention?

I really like the idea of making the dog focus on me, especially in circumstances that normally overexcite her. I have just been using "Tanna" - my trainer had us teach them to look right at your eyes when you call your dog's name. She usually looks, and I click and treat, but then she looks away. Is "watch" meant to be used differently? Should I teach her that, too?

Advice?

[Kendall Aliza]

Generally speaking, when I call my dogs name I want him coming to me and then I let him know I was his full attention by saying, "look at me". You probably use your dogs name A LOT on a daily basis which makes the command likely to be overused or only applicable in certain situations. For example, a lot trainers tell you to create a neg marker other than "no" bc "no" is overused. Make sense? Maybe you could use one of his nickname ONLY when you want him to look at you?

[Kendall Aliza]

Generally speaking, when I call my dogs name I want him coming to me and then I let him know I was his full attention by saying, "look at me". You probably use your dogs name A LOT on a daily basis which makes the command likely to be overused or only applicable in certain situations. For example, a lot trainers tell you to create a neg marker other than "no" bc "no" is overused. Make sense? Maybe you could use one of his nickname ONLY when you want him to look at you?

[Kendall Aliza]

Generally speaking, when I call my dogs name I want him coming to me and then I let him know I was his full attention by saying, "look at me". You probably use your dogs name A LOT on a daily basis which makes the command likely to be overused or only applicable in certain situations. For example, a lot trainers tell you to create a neg marker other than "no" bc "no" is overused. Make sense? Maybe you could use one of his nickname ONLY when you want him to look at you?

[Sheryl]

My understanding is similar (although I won't post it three times.... just kidding.... you gotta love computers, eh? :) ). I use his name all the time (as do other people), but only use watch me to get eye contact. This is one that we have just started to work on, too.