Touch
The Touch cue is a useful foundation for many more advanced behaviors and gives you a way to capture your dog’s attention and direct their movements. It builds your dog’s focus, confidence, and engagement with you, making it a valuable tool for both training and everyday life.
Practical Uses for Teaching Your Dog to “Touch”
Recall: Use "Touch" to call your dog back to you.
Positioning: Help guide your dog into different positions (e.g., beside you or onto a scale).
Greeting People: Teach your dog to greet people with a nose touch instead of jumping.
Confidence Building: Encourage a shy dog to explore new environments by targeting objects.
Redirection: Use "Touch" to distract your dog from unwanted behaviors (e.g., barking, pulling on leash).
Improves Focus: Helps your dog pay attention to you in distracting environments.
Fun Trick: It's a simple and engaging trick that most dogs enjoy learning.
Step 1: Get Your Dog to Touch On Their Own
Present your flat hand with your palm facing your dog, a couple of inches away from your dog’s nose. Say their name or make a fun sound if you need to get their attention.
When your dog sniffs or touches your hand with their nose, immediately say “Yes!” or click with a clicker and reward them with a treat.
Repeat this several times, with each hand, to help your dog make the connection.
Step 2: Add the Verbal Cue
Once your dog consistently touches your hand when you present it, say “Touch” just before you present your hand.
Mark and reward every successful touch with a treat and praise.
Step 3: Increase Difficulty
Gradually move your hand to different positions (higher, lower, or to the side).
Increase distance between you and your dog - not too much! Make sure to set them up for success.
Practice in different environments to generalize the behavior, slowly adding distractions.
Step 4: Use a Target Object (Optional)
You can teach your dog to touch a specific object, like a target stick, post-it note, or ball.
This can be useful for advanced tasks, such as turning off lights or closing doors.
If you are using a post-it note, start with it in your hand, then gradually move it to the surface you want the dog to touch (door, light switch, etc.)
Troubleshooting Tips
Dog ignores your hand? Pull your hand behind your back, call their name excitedly and then present it again like you have something special. Make your hand smell yummy before presenting it to your dog. Start with your hand as close to your dog’s nose as possible without touching them.
Dog thinks you are asking for “shake”? You can use a closed fist, back of your hand, or two fingers instead of an open flat hand!
Dog mouths your hand? Remove your hand and wait for a gentle nose touch. Reward only when the touch is appropriate.
Training Tips
Keep sessions short and fun to maintain your dog’s interest.
Practice in different environments to help your dog generalize the behavior.
Use high-value treats to keep your dog motivated, especially in distracting situations.
Be patient, set your dog up for success, and reward progress at every step.
If your dog makes several mistakes in a row, go back a step and make the exercise easier.
Resources:
Smart Bitch Modern Dog Training - Touch for a Fearful Dog
Fear Free Happy Homes - Teaching Touch Cue to Dogs