How in HELL do I get my 6 month old pup to focus on me?! -_-?

Question

*sigh* I just walked my dog. I haven't walked him in a lil' while. It's been raining here literally every day for 2 weeks. When I was out walking him, he would pay attention to EVERYTHING but me.... I even did the "tap him with your foot to redirect him" thing like Cesar does (Dog Whisperer) but it had no affect whatsoever. So I tapped him harder and harder, and each time, he didn't even flinch or blink or anything. I tried "biting" him on the neck (softlyish) even, and that didn't work either. I even tried making him look at me and he pulled his face away as hard as he could. Geez, what's wrong with this dog?! He knows sit, wait, and come very well inside the house. And I was gonna try to train him outside, but I'm afraid he won't pay attantion to me at all. I tried telling him to sit several times while I was walking him too, and he didn't do it b/c he was focused on everything else. -_- So, can anyone tell me how I can get this attention without addicting him to treats or toys?

Oh, btw, I enjoy reading long answers. XP

Well... Mr. "cashflow_2000"... I trained my last dog. He was actually my first and he was chow/pitbull. I hadn't even watched anything on training or how to train a dog. I just /did/. I taught him 14 tricks and commands including: Sit, stay, come (also came to a /specific/ whistle), go (go away), down, mark (get on your mark), up, bow, paw, high five, over, touch (to touch a treat with his paw), and taste (to taste a treat)... and he also heeled on walks. Not to mention, he learned what the word "cookie" was. If you'd say it, he'd look up at the cookie jar on top of the shelf. Still think I can't train a dog? And /yes/, he /did/ listen to me outside. Even if he felt roudy and ran out the house, I just told him to stay and he did and I would walk up to get him.... He was only 2 1/5 too when he died. I also started teaching him sign language in which he learned the signs for down, sit, and stay in 10 mins. Unfortunately, he died from heartworm treatment soon after that first lesson.

Oh and btw, I'm 15. (was 13 when I started training my last dog)

Answer 1

You need to be more interesting than the other things in the environment. Keep in mind that things like the Cesar Milan foot tap will only serve to wake up attention, but not keep it. If it doesn't work the first or second time, just doing it harder is unlikely to help. Trying to get your dog to look at you by forcing their face can backfire, too, because direct eye contact is a challenge in dog-speak. If your dog met you directly in the eyes at that point, it would actually be a challenge rather than a deferral.

However, you still want your dog to look at you. So incorporate things that are fun into the routine. Treat your dog when he is paying attention to you (however do not "bribe" the dog by showing the food first). Include some playtime in the walk by tossing a ball or playing with a tug toy for short intervals. One of my trainers describes this as "being more interesting than dirt". It's funny but true... dirt is more interesting to your dog right now.

Keep a few things in mind when watching Cesar Milan:

1) Cesar is a naturally skilled and highly alpha personality (even to other humans). Many of his techniques are absolutely not the right choice for the average pet owner or even professional trainer.

2) Cesar's show is edited. Yes, sometimes that show that little counter, but you do NOT see the whole thing. You also do not see what happens with the dogs in the long term. These dogs are not "cured" when Cesar leaves them. You also don't get to see if there are side effects or backlash to any of the methods.

3) Cesar gets to benefit from "trainer syndrome", which is that dogs are often better behaved for a stranger than for their own families because they aren't quite sure how to react. Even I, a non-professional trainer, get to benefit from this when working with my trainers dogs. It's fun stuff!

I think you made a very good decision to wait to train outside until you get some attention inside, since outside always has much more distraction. I'd recommend stepping back on some of the Cesar techniques and spending some more time playing with your puppy, because if he feels that you are not being fair, or if he just doesn't understand what you want, he is going to tune you out even more, particularly if he feels stressed. And if he's stressed, he won't be capable of switching back to give you attention.

You seem concerned about "addicting him to treats or toys". I can assure you that at this age, it is much much much much much more important to develop a strong bond, get that focus, get that desire to work with you than worry about losing the treats and toys. Your dog is still a raw puppy for the next six months, and this is time you don't want to waste. I can assure you that once you build that strong teamwork and desire to work, the treats and toys won't be an issue.

Also, pay attention when you see drug sniffing dogs on TV. Notice that they get a tennis ball or a good tug when they make a score. We all like to have a paycheck for a job well done, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Answer 2

as the dog is still young, they would only react like that due to not enough attention growing up. since you mostly been inside, as a pup, the outside is new and they want to check out everything. you need to take him to the many obeident classes which cost 25 to 45 .00. they work to teach you and your dog you are the master and how to train them properly. if your dog was trained right away, you wouldn't have the problem of him ignoring you. he thinks he's the master, not you. until you break him of that, you won't get anywhere with him. i've seen that show many times. its for the most part the family as they treat them not as a dog but as a person. classes are the best way to train him. your the boss, you let them know they are loved. they will respond.

Answer 3

You’re not a professional trainer, watching a trainer won't teach you much either, you need to go to a class that will teach you how to train the dog and then you can train it.
You want his attention then you have to make him listen to your voice, text messaging won’t do it, you need a class to instruct you and the proper use of the lead and choker.
You need to go to a training class, I have been into training for some…35 years or there about every pair of dog and handler is different.
Unless you are knowable about training the best thing to do is find a class where you will get trained along with you dog. You will both benefit, you will both learn the proper commands and bond in the progress.
Contact your vet; they may have a bulletin board or postings that list training organizations, schools or associations or clubs. If they don't then ask them where there is something in your area. Join one and you will see what you and your dog can do together.
You only need simple obedience training, but once you get started with it you may want to go on further. I started taking my dog for training, I got involved in it and before I knew it I was teaching the class.
It works like this, you are taught to train your dog, and it’s that simple and only requires spending time with your dog.

Answer 4

Well he's a puppy, and outside there are new smells then inside the house. I would try walking him for an hour or less a day on the same path..I do the same with my dog, and even though she pulls me to get to a new smell, she obeys me pretty well. But like I said he's a puppy, and you should just spend more time with him outdoors rather than inside.

Answer 5

A simple sure way to get your puppy to look at your face is to put a treat in your mouth such as a small piece of cheese or hot dog. Let him see you put it in your mouth then let the treat drop out in front of him. In no time he will be looking at your face waiting for another treat. Every time he looks at your face say "look at me" put the treat in your mouth and then let it drop out. Don't forget to give him all kinds of praises each time he looks at you. He will more likely grab the treat in midair.

Now take him for a walk and as you're walking say "look at me" and repeat the dropping of a treat from your mouth. This will get him more focused on you as you are walking. Eventually you won't have to be giving him treats all the time. Just give him the 'look at me command' and praises.

Training outside can be distracting especially for a puppy. Everything is so exciting and new so he is just being a normal puppy. His attention span is very short at that age so keep his lessons short and don't forget to enjoy him.

Answer 6

If your dog hasn't been for a walk in two weeks he probably just needs to get all that energy out. You know what Cesar says 1 hour walk every day!

Answer 7

There's probably too much distraction for him, especially if it was his first good walk for a while. For training him outside find somewhere boring, like your drive, somewhere he knows well, with minimal new smells, etc. When he's paying attention there move to somewhere slightly more interesting and repeat. Soon he should be able to respond to your commands everywhere, even if there are distractions.

Answer 8

Hes a puppy ,he was cooped up for 2 weeks,what did you expect him to be like. Maybe you don't have time for this puppy. Do you play with him so he gets rid of his excess energy,ever had to deal with a 2yr old child that's been inside for days? Patience is what you need and a basic understanding of the needs of this puppy.

Answer 9

Get a pinch collar. It's not as rough on their esophagus as a choke chain, but it gets their attention by squeezing their loose skin around their neck. I have 2-100lb dogs that on a regular collar, are uncontrollable with their strength. I use the pinch collars, they pull once, remember that I put it on & are perfectly behaived after that.
These collars don't hurt them either.

Answer 10

Be the source of all good things for the puppy. Walk around with treats and toys in your pockets. When the puppy comes to you, pull out one and let the puppy have it, also praise him for coming to you. Pet him, love him (and you don't have to call him George). ;)

Be fun, interesting, and the center of their universe.