The Whiplash Turn is a fun and useful pattern game that helps bring your dog’s focus back on you. When your dog sees a treat on the ground, they should quickly look back at you for another reward. This makes your pet’s response to their name stronger and helps them focus on you. The game also adds distance training. Over time, this game redirects your dog from distractions and improves their recall. By throwing a treat away from you, your dog learns that looking back at you leads to more rewards. This is a great example of a less exciting behavior (looking back at you) leading to something more exciting (getting a treat).

Items Needed:

• Treats
• A clicker or marker word, such as “yes”

Phase 1: Learn the movement.

1. Put a treat on the ground in front of your dog’s front feet.
2. While your dog eats, walk around your dog and stand behind their tail.
3. As they finish eating, say their name and watch closely. The moment your dog starts to turn toward you, mark the behavior.
4. Reward the turn. When your dog fully turns to face you, place another treat on the ground.
5. Repeat the process until your dog starts turning quickly and automatically.
6. Eventually, your dog may turn before you even call their name. This means they have learned that the treat itself is the cue to look back at you.

Phase 2: Add Distractions.

1. Introduce easy distractions. When your dog reliably turns to you, add small distractions that will not alarm your dog, such as music or family talking in another room.
2. Increase difficulty. Gradually make the distractions more challenging, keeping your dog under threshold.
3. Throw the treat instead of placing it on the ground. Once your dog can turn to you despite distractions, start tossing the treat away from you. This will help them learn to center their attention and focus on you from a greater distance.

Tips:

• Try not to lean over your dog when placing the treat.
• Move quickly to get behind them before they finish eating.
• If your dog moves too fast, drop several treats so they take longer to eat, giving you more time to move behind them.

Troubleshooting:

• Be patient. If your dog does not turn right away, wait a few seconds before trying again.
• Say their name only once. Calling their name too often can make it lose meaning.
• Modify if needed. If your dog does not respond when you are behind them, start by standing in front of them. Say their name and immediately give them a treat. Do this three to five times to help them connect their name with the reward.
• Always reward the turn. Do not ask for a sit or make them wait before giving the treat. The goal is to build an instant response.

This game creates a strong foundation for future training. It is simple but powerful: helping your dog focus on you and improving their recall. By pairing a treat with their name, you encourage them to return to you, ignore distractions, and center themselves when needed.

Pattern games can be found in the book series Control Unleashed® by Leslie McDevitt CDBC, CPDT-KA, MLA.