We’ve posted before about a recall being one of the most important skills you can teach your dog. It’s something worth practising regularly on walks.
Another skill that’s just as valuable is engagement (or check-ins).
Engagement is your dog’s ability to stay mentally connected to you while out and about. It’s those moments when your dog chooses to look back at you, even when there are plenty of distractions. This skill supports many of the things we want on walks: reliable recall, calmer behaviour around other dogs, and better responses to cues.
Walks are the perfect place to practise.
How to train it on walks:
- Use an attention noise — a short sound you’ve chosen to get your dog’s focus — to encourage a quick check-in without calling their name
- Every time your dog looks at you, mark it and reward
- Remember to also mark and reward each time your dog voluntarily looks at you
- Start in quieter areas and gradually build up to busier environments
- Occasionally pause and wait for eye contact, then continue walking as the reward
- Keep it short and frequent — a few seconds at a time is enough
Why it matters:
A dog that regularly checks in with you is far more likely to respond when it really counts. Engagement strengthens your recall and overall responsiveness, and using an attention noise helps your dog learn to focus on you even in a busy environment.
Recall and engagement are both essential skills — and walks are the perfect place to strengthen them.
