Basic Obedience: Day 10 of 56
This video and training session are part of the Grungehorsam concept, a structured program designed to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully designed from a didactic and methodological perspective to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one, thereby achieving maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you follow the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
Have you ever noticed how much the bond between you and your dog improves when he looks you in the eyes? Eye contact is one of the most important means of communication between you and your dog. When you have your dog’s attention, you also have his full focus. Whether you’re training outdoors, your dog is exposed to strong distractions, or you simply want to communicate better in everyday life—eye contact forms the foundation for many important training steps.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to intentionally make eye contact with your dog and why it’s so important for your relationship. You’ll also learn how this simple act releases the hormone oxytocin, helping to relax not only your dog but you as well. Sound interesting? Then let’s get started!
Goal: Yourdog will spontaneously look at you more often to establish communication with you. With a signal, you can get your dog to make eye contact.
Equipment: Treats; if your dog has trouble focusing, Collar and a leash
Location: At home, later outside
Duration:About 10–15 minutes of practice, to be done daily as part of your routine
Why eye contact is so important during training
Eye contact between you and your dog is more than just a brief glance—it’s a powerful tool for communication and training. Dogs that actively look you in the eyes are signaling that they are ready to work with you. As soon as you have your dog’s gaze, you have their attention —and thus their focus. This makes eye contact an ideal starting point for many exercises and training sessions.
In everyday life, and especially during dog training, your dog’s ability to pay attention to you is crucial. Dogs naturally tend to react to stimuli in their environment—whether it’s a passing car, another dog, or an intriguing scent. Some dogs initiate intense eye contact on their own, while others are easily distracted and rarely look up at their owners. So there are definitely differences in dogs’ individual attention spans.
During training, eye contact is an excellent starting point for all further exercises. Once you have your dog’s full attention, he’ll be much more receptive to your instructions. Eye contact helps ensure that your dog is mentally engaged with you and not distracted by the many things around him. In moments like these, dogs learn that it’s worth paying attention to you and following your lead. Especially in situations where your dog is exposed to strong distractions—such as during a walk in the park or when encountering other dogs—eye contact can make all the difference.
ℹ Info
Friendly eye contact triggers an increase in the release of the hormone oxytocin. This rise in oxytocin has a relaxing effect.
Eye contact for impulse control and calmness
Establishing eye contact is also an effective way to improve your dog’s impulse control. Impulse control means that your dog learns to manage its reactions to various stimuli rather than reacting to them immediately. Eye contact helps your dog practice this self-control. By focusing on you, you redirect its attention away from the distraction and toward calmer behavior.
Friendly eye contact also triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin, also known as the “bonding hormone,” creates a sense of relaxation and trust in both you and your dog. Studies show that regular eye contact between dogs and humans strengthens the emotional bond and reduces stress levels. This makes eye contact not only a useful training tool but also a way to deepen the connection between you and your dog.
Active vs. spontaneous eye contact
There are two types of eye contact you can train your dog to make: active eye contact and spontaneous eye contact.
Active eye contact: Here, you give your dog a clear signal that he should look at you. This can be done using a verbal cue such as “Look” or “Gaze,” which he will come to understand over time. As soon as your dog looks you in the eyes, he is rewarded. This teaches him that it’s worth looking at you whenever you give the signal.
Spontaneous eye contact: This is the next step in training. The goal here is to get your dog to look you in the eyes voluntarily—without a signal—to orient themselves to you. This spontaneous eye contact is especially valuable in everyday life, as it shows that your dog accepts your leadership and wants to actively communicate with you.
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Summary
Eye contact is an important means of communication between you and your dog. It helps you capture your dog’s attention and direct their focus, which forms the foundation for nearly every training situation. Whether it’s waiting calmly in the presence of distractions or carrying out commands with precision —eye contact ensures that your dog is mentally engaged with you and strengthens your bond.
By regularly practicing eye contact, you not only build trust but also help your dog develop impulse control and frustration tolerance. These skills are essential for staying calm in stressful situations. In addition, eye contact releases the hormone oxytocin, which relaxes both you and your dog and helps strengthen your bond.
Whether prompted by a signal or spontaneous, eye contact is one of the most important exercises in your daily life with your dog. So start incorporating this simple yet effective technique into your training today. It will not only improve your training results but also deepen the mutual trust and bond between you and your dog.
This video and training session are part of the Grungehorsam concept, a structured program designed to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully designed from a didactic and methodological perspective to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one, thereby achieving maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you follow the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
The authors: Paulina & Lui
Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dog Training & Store]. Their journey in dog training began with the adoption of their first high-risk dog, Vito. This experience sparked a deep interest in sharing knowledge about dog behavior and training with other dog owners. Initially, this was merely a hobby, but with the adoption of Amalia, an American Pitbull who had been rehomed multiple times due to severe behavioral issues, their passion evolved into a true calling. Amalia’s unique behavioral challenges deepened their interest in dog training and behavioral therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, pursue intensive further training, and devote themselves entirely to the field of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically designed for medium and large breeds.
Based on this insight, Vitomalia [Dog Training & Store] was born—a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for high-quality dog supplies. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experiences, extensive knowledge, and passion for dogs to every product, with the goal of supporting human-dog teams in their daily lives.
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