Eye contact on cue so you can interrupt distraction early.
5 min
WATCH
Soft eyes
Guided rep 1 / 5
Hold a treat between your eyes.
0/3
clean reps
1. Setup
2. Cue
3. Mark
4. Reward
Set the room up so watch me can win before you cue.
Why it matters
A doodle looking at you is not rehearsing the unwanted behavior. Watch me creates a clean reset before pulling, jumping, barking, or stealing.
Training steps
1
Hold a treat between your eyes.
2
Say watch once.
3
Mark the first flicker of eye contact and reward from your hand.
4
Build from half a second to three seconds.
5
Practice before mild distractions: a toy on the floor, a door sound, a person walking by.
Doodle pro tip
Doodles scan every room like a party they were invited to. Beat the distraction by paying the very first flick of an eye, long before you hold out for a hard stare.
Success signs
✓ One-second eye contact
✓ Three-second eye contact
✓ Can disengage from a toy
Common mistake
Waiting for perfect staring too early. Pay the tiny first glance.