Get the WHOLE family in on the training. This helps your dog listen to every member in the family and it helps generalizes the cues and behaviors. Once everyone is on the same page on how a cue is given and what to reward with, etc. family members can give you a break if you like 🙂
Its good for you, your family and your dog(s).
Here is the last step to “Touch”
Take it on the Road:
Practice in every room of your house, backyard, front yard, driveway, park, and pet store. Practice when you have company, when the kids are being loud, any and every distraction that you can use to practice is the best way to have a reliable “Touch”, so no matter what your dog will always come and touch your hand.Â
Practicing this behavior everywhere you go, will help your dog respond to you in every situation, but if you only practice at home, he will only respond to you at home.
Hi guys! Keep up the good work!! I hope you are seeing more progress.
Here is the next step to “Touch”
If your dog is running to you and touching your hand every time you present it, then you are ready to give it a name! Go back to the first step. Present your hand a few inches from your dog’s nose and when your dog touches your hand, say “Touch” or “Nose” (whichever you prefer… something that is easy for you to remember). It should go like this: offer hand, dogs touches hand/say “Touch”, C/T! Repeat. Work with both hands. After a few touches with you saying “touch” when he touches, start saying it when he is starting to go for your hand, repeat this a few times. After practicing for a little bit, say “Touch” then present your hand and see what your dog does. If he touches, GREAT, you’re ready to move on. If he doesn’t touch your hand, go back to making it easier for your dog.
Hello Again!! How’s training going?? Do you enjoy working with your dog? Let me know!!
Here is the next step to “Touch”
We want your dog to move toward the target (your hand). Present your hand a few inches away from your dogs face, when he touches it, C/T. Move your hand to the side of your dog’s head, when he touches, C/T! Try stepping away from your dog and see if he touches your hand, again if he touches, C/T! Try mixing it up by presenting your hand down low, away from your body, through your legs, etc. Move farther from your dog and see if he’ll come to you to touch your hand. If at any point your dog doesn’t do it, make it easier; move your hand closer, if it’s on the ground, raise it. Our goal as the trainer is to help our dogs succeed.
Hey everyone!! I hope youre not going crazy being cooped up in your house. Sometimes it feels that way to me, so we go outside and enjoy the fresh air… the downside is that it has been raining a lot and it’s been very chilly, but its suppose to warm up soon.
Today I’m sharing the first steps to “Touch”. Touch is when your dog comes and touches his nose to your hand or another object. It is a great alternate to come because the dog has to come and touch you to complete the behavior. This is also a great behavior for dogs that are scared of things. Once your dog knows the cue you can use it to “touch” the scary thing (whether a vets hand, the vacuum cleaner, anything your dog finds scary).
First Steps:
You’ll need your clicker, treats, timer, and treat pouch (if desired). Find a comfortable spot to sit or stand. Hold out the opposite hand that is holding your clicker in front of your dogs nose. Curiosity will take over and he will sniff your hand. Click and Treat (C/T)! Take your hand away. Then present your hand again and when he sniffs/touches/licks your hand he gets a click and treat! If your dog doesn’t show interest in your hand, just take your hand away and present it again.
Your goal is to get 10 hand touches with clicks and treats in 40 seconds.
I will be posting the next step next week. Practice all week- just 10 treats worth of training/per each session.
