How to Teach Your Dog the Look Command

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The look command means that your dog should follow your finger and place attention where you are pointing. While it may seem like a command that is limited in its practical use, it is beneficial for your dog to know.

If your dog is prone to getting distracted while you're out on a walk, lunging at things, pulling on the leash, and generally not being able to rein in her curiosity and focus, the look command can help.

The reason the look command helps in those situations is that it teaches your dog to cast her attention where you direct her but then return it to you. So, even though you may be pointing out something interesting or exciting by using the look command, your dog will learn to check it out but then look at you to find out what's next. That can help keep her from getting too excited and pulling on the leash to get to the exciting thing. (You can learn other techniques for leash-pulling here: "How to Train Your Dog to Walk Nicely on a Leash.")

How to Teach the Look Command

Here is a step-by-step guide for teaching your dog the look command.

1. First, get a toy that you know your dog really loves. It helps if it's one that makes a noise.
2. Tell your dog to sit and stay, and put the toy behind your back.
3. Get your dog's attention.
4. Once her eyes are on yours, move the toy out, away from your body, and say, "Look."
5. When you see a movement of your dog's eyes toward the toy, say "yes" or click your clicker and then give a treat as a reward by continuing to hold the toy out but directing your dog's attention away from it and back to you.
6. Over time, begin to save the treat longer and longer before giving the reward.
7. Once your dog will reliable look at the toy, save the reward for when she returns her attention to you after looking at it. Initially, you will need to do something to get her to look back at you, but eventually, she will do it automatically.
8. Once your dog looks back at you reliably after looking at the toy, begin practicing the look command with a pointed finger at something else in the area. Start with an object that's close to you and move it away gradually as she gets it.
9. Once your dog reliably looks at what you're pointing at and then calmly back at you, add distractions to your training. You can do that by having a friend help and make noise nearby or by going for an actual walk. Just remember to take the treats with you.
10. Remember that you'll need to continue practicing with your dog to make sure she remembers the look command. Even doing training sessions consistently once a week as refreshers is a good idea.

Training your dog to follow commands is a great way to bond with her. It also reduces stress and helps keep her mind sharp as well as helping the two of you have a better relationship because she understands what you want.

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