If you've ever wondered why I don't teach a cue, watch me, or how I end a training session,

or even how I use a bait pouch in training.

Today is your lucky day because I'm going to answer

five questions sent in from podcast listeners. Hi, I'm Susan Garrett. Welcome to Shape by Dog.

And let's get rolling. Thank you for these questions. First question is, Susan, why don't you

train the cue, watch me?

Now, Watch Me is a cue that is intended to have your dog give you their attention so that,

you know, you guys can basically lock eyes. And I teach the opposite. So I want my dogs to

focus on work and my students' dogs. But guess what happens?

I have the best attention anyone could ever ask for from their dogs when they're working,

but it's created organically. It's a byproduct of the kind of work we do with their dogs

because it's their choice. And when they

choose to look at me, especially when I'm out walking, then I'm going to reward them. And of course,

in the sport of competitive dog obedience, I will get them to target a certain location on my body.

Again, it's not my eyes. I want them targeting a little lower. So I don't teach it,

but I do have it. And the reason I don't teach it is with most of my students, or not my students,

but what I see when I see people who teach watch me, they tend to use it inappropriately. They

tend to use it as a reinforcement when the dog is doing something inappropriately. So, if the dog starts,

you know, looking off at another dog, they'll say, watch me, watch me. Heads up, heads up. And

you're reinforcing the dog for doing something you don't want them to do. So, you know what I might do

in that instance? I might just change direction. And when the dog focuses on me, then reward them.

Maybe just with a smile or a touch or a word

...