Stares at Me (constant)

Let's talk about the dog who stares at you. First, see your vet, because new constant staring in an older dog can be cognitive dysfunction, vision loss, or pain. Step one: if the vet clears the dog, decide what the stare is asking for.

Attention, food, a walk? Step two: ignore the demand stare. Eye contact back is a reward.

Step three: teach eye contact on cue. Dog looks at you, mark and pay. Dog looks away, no pay.

Step four: the dog learns that looking at you produces nothing unless you invited it. Step five: train the dog for your family and your neighbors, not just yourself. That means the dog does not bully the babysitter into a second dinner or stare the plumber into leaving.

Now, the deeper fix: a staring dog is a dog who has trained you to respond. Stop responding on demand, and the stare loses its power. Now here's Steve's notes.