Touch is an awesome behavior, my dog and I love this cue. He loves it because it’s easy and he has a long history of rewards for it. I love it, because he comes when called and he gets close enough to touch him. I also use it for getting him use to scary objects, so he isnt scared of a specific object anymore.
Touch is when your dog comes to you and touches his nose to your hand. The goal is to say “Touch”, present your open palm, hold it there and enjoy watching your dog bolt toward you.
How to start:
1st session: Get your clicker and 10 treats. Place your hand in front of your dogs nose (super close), when they hit it with their nose, click and treat (C/T). Do this 10 times (until your treats are gone). Give your dog a few min break or come back to it when you have time. Give your dog a few treats tossed on the floor to signify training is done.
2nd session: Get your clicker and 10 treats. Now you hold your hand a few inches away, C/T, when your dog touches his nose to your hand. Move your hand to both sides, a few more inches away, etc. (until your treats are gone).
3rd session: Get your clicker and 10 treats. By now your dog should know what to do when your hand is presented. If your dog touches your hand RIGHT when you put your hand out there, when his nose touches your hand, you say “Touch” or “Nose” or whatever cue you want put on this behavior is up to you, as long as you are consistent. You want to do this a few times, the instant his nose touches your hand, you say your cue (I will go with touch for the remainder of this blog, because that is what I use).
4th session: Get your clicker and 10 treats. Now move a few steps away and test the cue, “touch” THEN present your hand and see if your dog comes to you to touch your hand. If he does, GREAT, continue putting more and more space between you and your dog, eventually taking it in the back yard and then (putting your dog on a long line) front yard and park. IF your dog is not coming to you just yet, go back to sessions 2 or 3, depending where your dog is at.
No matter where your dog is at by session 4, whether you can move forward or you have to take a step back, don’t worry about it. Dogs learn at different paces, it’s our job to be consistent and patient and reward greatly for the correct behaviors and IGNORE any wrong behavior.