How to Teach a Dog to Touch is one of the easy tricks to teach your dog.
Would you like to get your dog to touch things with their nose or paw? It’s really simple – read on.
Learn the SIT command first, since your dog needs to start in the seated position.
STEP 1
Start with your dog in the seated position by giving the SIT command. Don’t PRAISE or REWARD at this point since there is more to come.
In this step you want to get to the staring point with your dog seated in front of you.
If you use the sit command, don’t give your dog the treats or praise yet. You want them to understand they need to do more to earn these goodies.
STEP 2
Put your open palm in front of your dog’s face an inch or even less away. When they move their nose to touch your palm, say “TOUCH,” PRAISE and REWARD them.
This step has a couple objectives.
First, you want your dog to move to touch your hand. When they do, you want to say “TOUCH” since you want to associate (connect) this verbal command to the act of touching.
Next, you want to praise with a Good Boy, Good Girl and give your dog a tasty treat. This gives an incentive for your dog to remember what to do next time you ask.
STEP 3
Slowly increase the space between your dog’s nose and your palm, say “TOUCH”, but only PRAISE and REWARD them when they actually touch your palm.
In this step, you are just increasing the distance and making it more difficult for your dog to earn the praise and reward.
Eventually you can do this from across the yard if you keep working at it.
FOLLOW ON:
How to Teach a Dog to Touch is not very difficult. It is a good trick for even a beginning trainer.
If your dog doesn’t TOUCH as you move further away, get closer and slowly work your way out. You will get this in no time.
Let us know how your touch training goes in the comments below…
