Training starts with focus. With you getting your dog to look at you, mind you and focus on you and only you. That means not being distracted by the sound of the neighbor’s dog barking or that UPS truck or the smell of dinner cooking. The first big hurdle in all dog training is getting their undivided attention. That’s harder with puppies and harder with breeds that tend to be a little more active or even hyper, but it’s essential if you want to get anywhere. How do you know you have their attention? I like it when a dog is on the leash, sitting still, locks eyes with mine and doesn’t look away. Now we’re ready to learn.