Get your dog to watch you with full attention even when there are distractions

Besides teaching your dog to sit patiently in one place, the most important cue is to get him to look at you with a cue word.  If you properly associate a cue like "Watch Me" with your dog giving you his attention, you will be able to win the "battle" against distractions all the time.

Start by having your dog sit indoors with you standing in front of him.  Watch for his gaze to shift upward toward you.  EVERY time he begins to look up at you, say something like "Watch Me" followed by "Good boy" and a treat.  After some practice you should move this exercise outside, and eventually you will be able to remove the actual treat from the steps.

The end result should look like...