If I am out walking with my young dog and she happens to get behind me and she sees something in the distance she will stand and stare until whatever she is staring at disappears.  She will not come unless I can manage to hide.   If she does decide to come she keeps a certain distance and follows staring at me.  I've tried ignoring this behaviour but don't seem to be getting anywhere.

Hi Morag

Have you had her eyes checked out by a specialist opthalmic vet?  It might not be a bad idea, or is she a collie?

Christine

I have a similar prob. My pup wheaten- when we hold out a toy and wait until she sits (which she does) and then we take it down to her nose level- she has no idea- and keeps her eyes fixed on the spot the toy was in before we moved it (above her hed at our shoulder height) we have to shake the toy before she sees it!

If ignoring doesn't work - try distraction - has she got a fav toy you can keep only for walks that you *suddenly* produce?

Believe dogs see moving things best and may be she is seeing something move in the distance and stares to try to work out what it is, is the nose going too. Or as someone said she may be a collie and to a collie 'giving the eye' is part of being a collie.

Staring that you can't distract a dog from can also be a form of epilipsy I believe. 

Some is behavioural such as shadow watching, chasing, flickers of light such as fires or the sun behind trees but I would want to eliminate health problems

Christine

Hi. my dog is a Parsons she is nearly 3years.  She use to come when I squeaked her ball and was brilliant.  But now she won't when she is the stalking mood. I must admit I did lose my cool with her and went back to get her which I realise was fatal because it ended up in a game of chase which I lost.  I couldn't even get her on the lead to go home she stayed just out of my reach.  So I started putting a short trailing lead on so at least I can get her when I want. But I don't want to go back to get her because she'll just run the other way. But will stop as soon as I turn away from her.
The staring she also does indoors when laying on the chair opposite, she just stares at me as though waiting for me to do something. She is the most peculiar dog we've ever had.  She doesn't sleep with us - her choice except when on holiday.  Thank you for your prompt replies. Happy Christmas