How do I build focus?

[Toller_08]

We've always had very focused, into people dogs. Now we have Keira. She's an absolutely wonderful puppy with a ton of drive and willingness to learn, but she focuses all of her drive and energy on everything but us. This makes it really hard to teach her anything because we'll have her attention one second and the next it's gone. She won't give us any more than 15 seconds of attention at a time, if that. She wants her reward for doing something right (half the time I don't think she's realized what she actually did to get it..), and after she gets it, we no longer matter to her. Tonight at classes the trainer told us she's one of those "take the money and run" type dogs, but she didn't tell us how to fix it because the class was already running overtime and another one was waiting to come in. We're planning on going for a private lesson some other time this week to work on this problem specifically, as we've never dealt with such an extreme lack of focus before. She is only 15 weeks old, so I don't expect her to listen like an older puppy/adult would, but she really, really needs to learn how to focus on us when we need her to instead of leaping around grabbing dust bunnies and other dogs and such. Any help would be very much appreciated! If you need more information, let me know.

[adojrts]

I build focus at first by loading or charging the clicker, so they know that the click means food/treat is to follow. Then I take their meal put it up high or in my pocket and when they look at me, click and reward. I don't say anything, but then if its a meal time, they are usually pretty focused on me anyways.
Then at anytime in the home, if the pup looks at me, C/R. Soon they are following me around. I then take it outside to a fenced yard, don't say anything but wander around and of course the pup/dog is usually sniffing and running around checking things out. The second they look at me I click, the fly to me for their reward or a few kibbles from their meal.
It doesn't take long for them to pay attention to where I am and to remain focused. Then I work on off leash heeling, clicking and rewarding for being in the heel position. Working on duration, meaning I walk further without clicking and rewarding.

Hope that helps
Lynn

[Paige]

I'd love to know this too. Spanky is a pain in the rear. Only when on his leash. Off his leash he is amazing with paying attention. On lead, ha! The imp comes out.

[OutlineACDs]

I know she's young, but you could start her on NILIF. ALL good things come from people, including permission to play in the yard and w/ the other dogs. Teach this by leashing her and asking for attention, a sit, anything she knows THEN releasing her to play. Interrupt play often by calling her to you, then release her back to what she was doing. You may have to start by walking up to her, shoving a tasty treat in her face, and using the leash to guide her back to you while calling her name. The more independent she is the more you will need to work at it. Good Luck!

[Dekka]

Bounce is 6 months and all of a sudden has focus. It could be her age. Just keep working at it (some good ideas here) and don't stress about it, it will come.

[adojrts]

Originally Posted by OutlineACDs

I know she's young, but you could start her on NILIF. ALL good things come from people, including permission to play in the yard and w/ the other dogs. Teach this by leashing her and asking for attention, a sit, anything she knows THEN releasing her to play. Interrupt play often by calling her to you, then release her back to what she was doing. You may have to start by walking up to her, shoving a tasty treat in her face, and using the leash to guide her back to you while calling her name. The more independent she is the more you will need to work at it. Good Luck!

Oh boy, thanks for adding that lol, the release is so important and of course the part that I forgot to add.

[tobilove23]

If you want a good book heres one on training focus