Why the “Look” Command Should Be One of the First Things You Teach Your Dog
The Look command teaches your dog to check in with you before reacting to the world around them. That may sound simple, but it is one of the most important foundation skills a dog can learn. When a dog learns to look back at their person, they are learning more than a command. They are learning: “When something happens, I can check in.” That check-in can help a dog pause, think, reconnect, and make a better choice. This is why the Look command should be one of the first skills taught after a dog has had time to settle into the home. Not because we want to control every move the dog makes. Because we want to give the dog a safe place to bring their attention. Why This Skill Matters So Much Many people start training with sit . Sit is useful. Sit can help with manners. Sit can help with waiting. Sit can help with doorways, greetings, meals, and basic structure. But sit does not always teach a dog how to think through the world. A dog can sit and still be worried. A dog can sit and still...