Teaching your dog the “touch” command is simply asking your dog to touch your open palm with their nose. It is a dog training basic, but can easily be misinterpreted as inconsequential. In reality, teaching “touch” often becomes the most successful and enjoyable cue that trainers teach. It is simple, yet so specific that dogs catch on to it quickly and seem to hold on to it for a long time.
Here’s how to teach your dog how to “touch:”
Get the Behavior
Start with your dog in a sitting or standing position.
Have several small pieces of treat in one hand. Chewy, bite-size training treats, pieces of kibble, or bite-size pieces of hot dog will work.
Hold out your other hand with an open palm about four to six inches away from your dog’s nose. When your dog touches your hand with their nose (no teeth allowed!), say “yes!” and give your dog one piece of treat from the first hand. If your dog is unsure of what to do, you can get your dog’s interest by rubbing your touch hand with a treat to entice your dog and try again.
Repeat several times.
Add the Command
When your dog is intentionally bumping your hand with her nose any time you hold it out, say “touch” just before you hold out your palm. When they touch their nose to your palm, reward with “yes!” and give your dog a treat from your other hand.
Repeat several times.
Add Distance and Variety
Practice by moving your hand into different positions, placing it on different sides of your body, and different distances and asking for a “touch.” Every time your dog touches your hand, say “yes!” and reward them.
If your dog doesn’t perform the command when you move your hand, go back to where you were successful and build to that new hand position in baby steps.
Any time you change how you ask for a behavior, it is a new challenge for your dog even though it might not seem like it to you. For instance, working on “touch” from three feet away and then expecting it from 20 feet may be going too far, too fast. To bridge that gap, work in smaller steps building to the bigger distance.
Make sure your dog is doing the command really well at home or in a less distracting environment before using it outside and on walks where the stakes will be higher.
Dog Training Tips: What is ‘Touch’ Used For?
Touch is also known as hand targeting and is a great way to get your dog’s attention. It can be part of your everyday routine, just like “sit” or “down.” Here are some useful ways to use “touch:”
- Use “touch” for recall: instead of using “come,” use the “touch” cue to get your dog to come to you. This is especially useful when at a park or in public, because it requires the dog to come right to your body, making it easy grab them if it’s necessary.
- Try “touch” as a distraction: instead of allowing your dog to go up and greet every passerby on walks, turn those moments into a training exercise. Step to the side of the sidewalk and ask your dog to touch your hand multiple times. This will keep your dog distracted long enough to let the dog or human pass by, and then you can continue on your walk.
- Use “touch” to encourage walking: does your dog just stop and refuse to budge while on walks? If this happens, don’t pull your dog (which will only make them want to stay put even more), use “touch” to get them walking again.
- “Touch” as a redirect tool: if you have a dog that is always barking at the door or window, “touch” can be a great way to get your dog’s attention and redirect it onto something more appropriate.
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