Eye contact in training

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Eye contact in training

Posted : 1/26/2010 10:11:33 PM

A couple of weeks ago, our Agility instructor started advising me to make sure that I give Maya direct eye contact at certain points in the course. She said that especially with herding breeds (which Maya isn't) eye contact could be a powerful motivator. It's really made a difference in Agility, and I've started to use it in other contexts as well. I've found that any time I want her to MOVE, as in recalls Maya really responds if I look at her directly. I've also found that I really need to avoid eye contact during stays or wait, because she will break the stay if I don't. It's almost like she is looking for the eye contact as a part of the cue. I find it interesting that you read about how direct eye contact can be seen as a challenge by some dogs, yet it is so rewarding for Maya.

I have lots of questions about this:
Does anyone else use eye contact as a motivator? In what contexts?
Is this habit going to get me in trouble at any point in her training?
Are there any breeds or contexts where this is a really bad idea?

Maura

Posted : 1/26/2010 10:20:48 PM

When a wolf pack is working together one wolf will look at another, then look somewhere else. The second wolf goes to where the first wolf looked. The communication was, "You, go there." Canines use their noses/faces to point. When you and your dog are working together and you look at her you are saying, "You, do this." In one instance the wolf blocks the approach of the moose. In the other, the dog gives a high five. They do not view the boss's look as being confrontational.

I also noticed that I shouldn't look at my dog when he is on a stay. The look seems to say, "I want you to do more." It's a way of saying "Listen up!"

I don't know what trouble you could get into, as you already have figured out to look away during the stay. The dog will either come to you, or get intimidated and move away from you.

Jewlieee

Posted : 1/26/2010 10:44:47 PM

Dogs are so expressive and eye "language" is just one of the ways they get a point across. For instance, in herding breeds there are loose eyed dogs like aussies, and stong eyed dogs like bc's. A strong eyed dog uses eye contact and stares to move and intimidate a herd. a dog will stare hard at another dog, that says stop what you are doing, don't come closer, etc. A stare can also be an invitation to play. Glancing away can be worried or appeasing behavior. Of course, most of this is accompanied by sublte (and sometimes not so subtle) body language.

When I give my dogs direct eye contact, they usually see it as though I am trying to invite them to do something: play, work, come to me, etc. Interact with me in some fashion. However, I can also intimidate them by giving them a hard stare.

when I'm free shaping a behavior, If I look away from them when we are training, it is a signal to try something else. Whatever they just did or are doing is not what I want. When I give them eye contact it is a cue that they are on the right track.

For search and rescue training with neiko, I have to instruct those that are hiding for neiko to find, to never give him eye contact because it is so rewarding and will draw him in. I want him to find the person, then come back and tell me. If the person gives him eye contact he will stay with them and wiggle his butt.