‘Touch’ is a behavior that cues our dogs to touch our hand with their nose. Touch has several practical applications such as moving your dog somewhere new (for example off the couch), helping orient your dog towards you, or bring their focus back on you. By learning touch, your dog will also develop the skill of targeting something which can help with teaching future behaviors to your dog. Let’s begin!
How to Teach:
- Start with a treat under your thumb and present it to your dog in a flat hand close to your dog’s nose. As soon as their nose touches your hand, click and release the treat to them.
- Once your dog is consistently going to your hand, present your hand without a treat. When they touch your hand, click and deliver a treat.
- When your dog is successfully touching your empty hand slowly increase the distance you place your hand so you dog has to move to touch it. Click and deliver the treat.
- Remember the behavior is your dog moving towards your hand, not you moving your hand towards your dog. Be sure to gradually increase the distance so they continue to be successful.
- Once your dog is consistently coming to your hand every time you can then add in your verbal cue! Give your new cue, “touch,” and then present your hand to them. When their nose touches your hand, click and treat!