Building Focus on the Placeboard

Once your dog is confidently going onto one placeboard and sitting, we can begin to develop focus and engagement.

Placeboard training is not just about getting your dog onto the board — it is about teaching your dog to settle, think and choose to engage with you.

To begin, bring a treat up to your eye level. As soon as your dog looks at you and gives you eye contact, mark the behaviour with your clicker and reward.

Repeat this several times so your dog begins to understand that offering eye contact is the behaviour that earns the reward.

Once your dog understands this, we can start asking them to think for themselves. Instead of bringing the treat up to your eyes, simply wait and allow your dog to offer the behaviour naturally.

As soon as your dog gives you eye contact without any cue from you, click and reward. Even if it is only for a split second, this is a great start. Your dog is learning to make the choice to focus on you.

Over a number of sessions, you can gradually increase the length of time you ask your dog to maintain eye contact before clicking and rewarding.

As with all training, consistency is key. Build this slowly, reward the behaviour you want and remember that small moments of focus will develop into a strong, reliable connection between you and your dog.