We are going to teach our dogs how to follow our hand. This behavior is helpful in leading our dogs. This is great for crate training, walking past something that scares or overexcites your dog and is good for agility or freestyle dance training.
You will need to use some sort of obstacle (ex: your leg, a chair, a cone, etc).
Step 1: In this step your dog should know “touch” (see the “touch” pamphlet).
Step 2:
- We are going to expand on “touch” in step 2. We are going to present our hand like we are going to do “touch”. When they go to touch your hand, pull your hand away just an inch or so, then click and treat, C/T. Repeat this step gradually increasing the distance your dog has to go, so it looks more like your dog is following your hand.
- The best way to increase the amount of time between starting the behavior and the C/T: first get to 3-4 inches of following. Then go back to 1-2, then 3 in, then 1, then 4, then 5, then 7, then 4, then 6, then 8, then 2, then 5, then 10, then 7, mixing it up like this helps keep our dogs on their toes and they are more likely to follow your hand because they wont assume the next step.
Step 3: The next step is putting a cue to the behavior of following the target. So as your dog is doing the behavior say, “this way”. Repeat this step 3-5 times. Then test it out on your dog. Say “this way” and move your hand. Make sure to click and treat for the dog doing the behavior. If they don’t follow then, Go back to adding the cue to the behavior.
On the road: Once your dog knows the cue at home, make sure to practice anywhere and everywhere you take your dog (work, home depot, the park, etc).
*IMPORTANT- if your dog has a hard time doing the behavior in a new environment, move away from any and all distractions. Lower your expectations, some dogs may need to go back to the beginning so to speak.