Comments on: How To Get Your Labrador’s Attention Firmly Back On You

By: Sammie@LabSiteHQ

Sammie@LabSiteHQ — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:15:14 +0000

Great question! The trouble with using your dog’s name as a cue is that other people will use your dog’s name, with different meaning. They may say your dog’s name and then not reward the dog for looking at their face. Or they may say it when your dog is too distracted to respond, which can teach your dog that it’s rewarding to ignore their name. (We call this a poisoned cue – you can learn more about them here https://www.thelabradorsite.com/dogs-running-away/). One solution to this is to give your dog two names – a ‘public’ name that everyone uses, and a ‘private’ name that you use as a watch me cue. But most families find it simpler just to teach ‘watch me’ as the watch me cue. 🙂

I hope that helps!
Sammie

By: Clemens Manke

Clemens Manke — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 20:39:51 +0000

Very helpful article. Should a dog’s name have the same affect as a ‘watch me!’ command? If so, why wouldn’t you use the dog’s name instead of another command like ‘watch me’?
Thank you.

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 01:43:26 +0000

We have 2 labs, chocolate & yellow, this article is totally them! I’m forwarding it to my husband so we can train them on this, together!!!

By: Glen

Glen — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 01:10:58 +0000

I use the phrase check in when I want my Finnegan to look at me I then follow up with are you ready that means play time walk time or going in the trunk for a ride but I really make sure I’m excited when I say the word “READY” even when he’s not paying attention to me I just say READY and he comes right to me all excited.

By: Pippa

Pippa — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 06:00:54 +0000

In reply to Amanda.

Hi Amanda, you need to train your dog to respond to the whistle, have a look at this article https://www.thelabradorsite.com/basic-labrador-recall/

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 00:07:20 +0000

Hi Pippa ,
I have a 2-3/4 year old lab Meeka , when she is in the park running with the other dogs she won’t come back !!!!! Very annoying .
A friend on I love my Labradors site suggested blowing a whistle for a treat what are your thoughts .
I tried this today she came back twice but the rest of the time she wasn’t listening .
So I’m going to keep trying this everytime I feed her something is this a good idea ?

By: Kathleen Rayner

Kathleen Rayner — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 08:09:27 +0000

Hi Pippa, thanks for this article and all the others. My boy is now 9months and is getting very pushy, and hes big! So I will put your tips into practice. Your description of a pushy Labrador is him to a t! So I really need to be more strict with him and get his attention back on me.
Kath

By: Pippa

Pippa — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:20:52 +0000

In reply to Pete Doherty. Thanks Pete, enjoy your lovely boy!

By: Pete Doherty

Pete Doherty — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:10:59 +0000

I have just found your link on Facebook The Labrador Site and am really pleased to have done so. My daughter bought us a lovely yellow Labrador and he can be quite an energetic boy. I have just read the Watch Me article and will put the advice into practise.

I shall be a regular on here I think, what a great resource

Pete Doherty