Engagement with Dogs: What is It and Why is It Important
Engagement refers to the connection and focus your dog has on you, especially in environments filled with distractions. It’s about capturing and holding your dog’s attention in a way that makes them eager to interact with you, whether during training, play, or daily life. Engagement is crucial because a dog that is focused on you is more likely to follow cues, respond reliably, and make good choices even in challenging situations.
It’s the foundation of a strong relationship and effective communication between you and your dog.
Creating engagement is all about making yourself valuable and exciting to your dog. This means using positive reinforcement to reward behaviors like checking in with you, responding to their name, and showing interest in what you’re doing. Engagement can be encouraged through games, interactive play, and consistent rewards for attention and focus. For some dogs, it comes naturally, while others may need more time and effort to learn how rewarding it can be to engage with their human. Factors like the dog’s age, personality, and past experiences can impact how quickly engagement develops, but with patience and the right approach, every dog can learn it.
How do you Build Engagement?
There are some fun games that boost engagement and help your dog associate you with excitement and rewards.
Most of these have their own skills/cues section in this library, so I’ve linked those for you, but I’ve also added some “Coles Notes” on this page.
Teach your dog to turn to you immediately upon hearing their name. Start in a low-distraction environment and reward them every time they look at you when you say their name.
Tossing treats or toys into the grass or around a room encourages your dog to find them. This game builds focus and reinforces their willingness to stay engaged with you for cues on what to do next.
Reward your dog for making eye contact with you. Gradually increase the duration of the eye contact and practice in different environments to strengthen the behavior.
Call your dog’s name and run away from them while clapping or making fun noises to encourage them to chase you. Reward them generously when they reach you. This game is great for building recall and enthusiasm for coming back to you.
Using a tug toy or a soft ball to play interactive games with your dog strengthens your bond and can be a high-value reward for many dogs. Always use clear cues like “drop it” to keep the game controlled.
Hand targeting, where your dog learns to touch their nose to your hand, is a fantastic game for building engagement. It encourages focus, strengthens your bond, and can be used as a foundation for other behaviors like recall or redirection from distractions.