Barrel Racing Question!?

I just got my gelding started on barrels and when we canter the pattern he seems to lose focus when going around a barrel. So to get him back on track before we go around the barrel, I yell his name, "Tonto! " or "Hey!". Some people have told me I shouldn't talk to him when we do barrels, but it's the only way he focuses. Do you do anything like I do to get your horses focus on the barrels?