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Attention Trilogy Game

This game is the start of a solid responsiveness to your cues.

The recall cue you use may want to be something that isn’t as formal and sacred as your true recall where they come, sit in front and stay until released. You could say “This way” or “Here” for example, instead of “Come.” It’s up to you.

Name Response 10x

Name Response + Recall Cue 10x

Name Response + Recall Cue + Eye Contact 10x

Setup:

  • Do 30 repetitions in 3 sets of 10.

  • Reward name responsiveness 10 times, take a break with "Ok."

  • Reward name + recall cue 10 times, take another break with "Ok."

  • Reward name + recall cue + eye contact 10 times. End with "Ok" and ignore the dog for a couple of minutes.

Shape the Behavior:

  1. Command: Say “Get it,” toss a treat away from you, let dog go after it.

  2. Wait: Wait for the dog to turn back towards you.

  3. Mark: When they do, mark “Free” and encourage them to come get the reward.

  4. Encourage: If needed, encourage them to look back towards you.

  5. Repeat: Repeat until they reliably turn back towards you after eating the treat.

Name Response:

  1. Command: Say “Get it,” toss a treat away from you, let dog go after it.

  2. Name: As the dog eats the treat, say their name.

  3. Mark: When they look at you, mark “Free” and reward them close to your body.

  4. Repeat: Repeat 10x, then release for a short break with “ok.”

  5. Adjust: If needed, continue with the Name Response for all 30 repetitions before adding the next step.

Adding the Recall Cue:

  1. Command: Say “Get it,” toss a treat away from you, let dog go after it.

  2. Name + Recall: As they eat the treat, say their name followed by your recall cue (e.g., “Fido Come!”).

  3. Mark + Reward: Mark “Free” as they make their way to you and reward close to your body.

  4. Repeat: Repeat 10x, then release for a short break with “ok.”

  5. Adjust: If needed, do the Name Response + Recall for all 30 repetitions before adding the next step.

Adding Eye Contact:

  1. Repeat Previous Steps: Repeat the previous steps while encouraging sustained eye contact when they return. If teaching “come” as a sit in front of you, follow through with that or use another recall like “This way” or “Here.”

  2. Mark + Reward: Mark and reward for prolonged eye contact, rewarding in an ebb and flow pattern. Example: Rewarding every second for a while then sometimes making them hold it for longer (1/1/1/2/1/1/2/3/2/1/1).

  3. End Session: End with “Ok” and ignore the dog for a couple of minutes.

  4. Completion: Aim for 30 repetitions total to conclude the session.

NOTE:

You’ll know it went well if when you are done they are still interested in working with you and wanting to keep going. This is how every lesson should end.