Eye Contact
Training your dog should be positive. I recommend using a clicker so no punishment (that will tramatize the dog) is used, when she gets it wrong,(e.g. she hops up when you tell her to sit )simply don't click, and it is also less confusing for the dog(e.g. if your telling her "good girl" in a calm reassuring tone when she gets it right and tell her "no" in the same sweet tone trying to be 'positive' she will not know the difference and you'll get frustrated and probably yell after a while and she won't have a clue why). But take heed, this wonderful training tool can be overused (turned into "white-sound" meaning just another noise instead of a reward, not overused meaning training too much). So to prevent this from happening follow these simple steps:
1- click the clicker (only once)
2- immediately give a treat (in about 1/2 a second)
3- Repeat for about two minutes or until your dog is waiting for the click!
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Working on eye contact is very helpful. I mean, if you're trying to train your dog anything and she's looking at everything but you, how is she going to learn? Exactly. That's why it's so important to start on this command as soon as possible (it's recommended that you would train this in the same session as week one, right after priming the clicker). So get out your clicker, have your dog in front of you, and start training using these simple steps:
1-Sit still and wait until your dog gives you eye contact (don't say anything just yet, usually after 3-5 minutes they'll accidentally look up at you).
2- Don't click just yet, wait until she gives you eye contact again, then click and treat.
3-And the next time she gives you eye contact click and treat, and again and again and again. Do this for about 2-3 minutes.
And that's it. Have Fun!