When your dog spends most of a walk sniffing ahead of you, it’s easy to miss the little look they give you as they come up from the grass. That look is the moment to reward. It’s useful precisely because the dog thought to look back before you called them.
Pick a quiet stretch and give your dog room to sniff on leash. When they glance your way, say a quiet “yes” and offer a treat by your leg if they come close enough to take it. Then let them go back to the patch they were sniffing. If you ask for a sit or move them on every time they look, that glance starts to interrupt the walk. Letting them resume teaches them they can keep track of you and still explore.
If you never see the glance
Try walking a short stretch without saying their name. Watch what they do when they finish sniffing or when you ease your pace. If the leash is tight the whole way and their attention never comes back to you, try a quieter spot or give them more space from whatever is holding their attention. Once they’re looking back in that setting, try a stretch with one easy distraction, such as a person far across the street.
You’ll still want a separate recall cue for the times you need your dog to come all the way to you. A glance tells you your dog can turn their attention back to you in that setting. It doesn’t tell you they’re ready to be off leash. On your next walk, look for the first easy place where you can reward that glance and let the walk continue.
