Puppy Focus Training: The "Check-In" Game with Charlie
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Most owners spend their lives begging their dogs to "Look at me!" They wave treats, they make whistling noises, and they scream the dog's name. But as a professional trainer, I don't want to beg for Charlie's attention—I want him to offer it to me for free.
When Charlie was 10 weeks old, we started playing the "Check-In" Game. Now, at 13 weeks, he can be in the middle of a busy park and he will still swivel his head back to look at me every few minutes just to see what’s next. Here is how I built that "magnetic" focus.
What is a "Check-In"?
A check-in is when your dog voluntarily makes eye contact with you without you saying their name or a command. It means they are choosing you over the distractions around them. For a breed as social and curious as a Mini Goldendoodle, this is the foundation of all off-leash reliability.
Step 1: Catch Them Doing It Right
In the beginning, I sat in my living room with Charlie and a pocket full of treats. Every single time Charlie happened to look at my face—even for a split second—I’d say "Yes!" and toss him a treat. I didn't ask for it. I didn't say "Look." I just waited for him to make a choice. Within two days, he was staring at me like I was the most interesting thing on Earth.
Step 2: Taking it to the "Real World"
Once he knew that "Looking at human = Payment," we took the game to the driveway. The distractions were higher (birds, wind, cars), which meant the "payment" had to be higher. I use the small, soft training treats listed on my Gear Page for this—they are quick to eat so we don't lose the momentum of the game.
If Charlie looked at a leaf and then looked back at me, he got a reward. By rewarding the choice to look away from the leaf, I’m building a habit of focus that stays with him even when things get exciting.
The "Name" vs. The "Check-In"
I rarely use Charlie's name as a command. I save his name for emergency recalls. By using the Check-In game, I’ve taught him that checking in with me is a lifestyle, not just something he does when he’s "told" to.
This level of focus is exactly what I teach in the "Engagement" section of the Puppy Foundations module in my Goldendoodle Academy. For $45, I show you the hand movements and timing that turn a distracted puppy into a dog that hangs on your every word.
That voluntary eye contact is a life-saver when we are outdoors. It is the exact 'magnetism' I use to build a Rock-Solid Recall Under Distraction.
Final Thoughts
If you want a dog that comes when called and walks on a loose leash, you have to win the battle for their attention. Start playing the Check-In game today. Don't say a word—just wait, watch, and reward. When Charlie chooses you, he’s choosing to be a well-behaved dog.