Sara Severson Webboard User Reg: 06-10-2015
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My heeler makes super intense eye contact. I understand that many heelers do this. This is bred into them. They are very intense and hard working dogs who use their brain and need to use their brain and problem solve and work. I am doing marker training on walks right now to avert his attention from dogs, people, squirrels, cats, etc. because he will get so fixated on them on our walks, and other dogs act very aggressive towards him. He never barks or whines when they do this, but I want his attention on me. So, it is always dominance/bad when a dog makes intense eye contact? I will still do marker training and get his attention on me, i am just curious if this may be a breed thing?
A lot can go along with the eye contact that can determine if it's aggressive or just curious.
What is the dog's body language?
Stiff? Stalking/ or just watching?
Could be it's just a simple lack of management on your part or a high prey drive that makes the dog want to chase what moves.
Regardless, your on the right track with marker training but at this point don't try and keep his attention with to much distraction. You won't be able to do it and the dog will soon learn that he can do what it wants to.
Start out the training with NO distractions in your house or yard. Slowly add low level distractions to the training as the dog improves.
Elaine Haynes Webboard User Reg: 08-16-2005
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My sister has a heeler BC mix and Brew defintely has that intense stare you describe. Heelers also have a great tendency to nip (especially heels and/or the backs of legs)
Keep working on getting his focus on you but be sure you're asking for it before he's intense on the other dog (or whatever), And have very high value treats to reward him with when he redirects his attention to you.
My sister has a heeler BC mix and Brew defintely has that intense stare you describe. Heelers also have a great tendency to nip (especially heels and/or the backs of legs)
Keep working on getting his focus on you but be sure you're asking for it before he's intense on the other dog (or whatever), And have very high value treats to reward him with when he redirects his attention to you.
Excellent!
Keeping the dog from escalating is uber important.
The further along the dog is in it's intensity the harder it will be to control.
A simple look in the the direction, a flick of an ear, anything that lets you know the dog is starting it's rant is the second best time to stop it.
The BEST time is you seeing the distraction before the dog and get it's attention.
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011
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There is a common misconeception among some casual owners that you should never make eye contact with a dog (or play tug with them, or leave them outside, etc, etc). This is an old wive's tale... In some dog sports, IPO for one, you want good focus. I teach my dogs to look at my eyes when they are anticipating a command.
My dog is a chowhound. When she figured out that she could get treated for staring at my eyes, she would come sit right in front of me and stare me down.
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Is Eye Contact Always Bad/Dominant Behavior?
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