The first thing to teach is the name game or the "WATCH ME!"  You'll need alot of treats (small pieces) that your dog likes to start.  Say your dog’s name, and when he looks at you...bring the treats up to your eyes & make eye contact with him.  If you are a Vocal trainer say YES or Great!  If you're a Sound trainer use a Clicker or clap once.  A Signal Trainer?   Use a THUMBS UP and reward with a treat.  Wait until your dog gets a little distracted then repeat the exercise.  Do this 10 times in a row, rewarding each time for eye contact made.

After repeating the process of the name game, the dog will start coming towards you to get his/her treat - and the message will become clear that you are rewarding eye contact when calling the dog’s name.

For all dog training exercises, always start with no distractions so your dog will succeed and be rewarded.  Move onto increasing distractions slowly. When you start the name game, start in a quiet place with just the two of you.  Then add a few people, move to a different location, or be around other dogs - always rewarding eye contact.

In the training world eye contact is called “focus”.  You will always want your dog to focus on YOU before he/she does anything.  It's like the schoolyard game called “Mother may I”.  Haven't played it before?  Ask your parents or grandparents to explain it, and: "May your Dog(s) always look at you with great FOCUS!" Jean