Touch

“Touch” or hand targeting is a fun trick to show off and can be super helpful! Once your pet knows to “boop” your hand, you can use that to guide them into different positions, including walking slowly next to you or placing their head through a cone. You can teach this trick while your pet stays comfy laying down, or if they’re ready for a bit of movement, you can add in some motion.

How To

🐾What you need: a handful of tiny treats or bits of food, your hand

  1. Place a treat between two fingers so your pet is able to access it.

  2. When the pet’s nose touches your hand to get the treat, mark and let them eat the treat.

  3. Repeat several times, altering hand position and adding a bit of movement. 

  4. When your pet is reliably eating the treat in your hand, practice with an empty hand.

  5. Hold your hand out in the same way as before, but this time it’s empty. When your pet’s nose touches your hand, mark and then deliver a treat.

  6. Continue to practice with just the visual cue of your hand extended.

  7. To add a verbal cue, start with your hands by your side neutrally. Say “Touch!”, wait a tiny second, then extend your hand. Mark when your pet’s nose touches your hand. 

  8. Alter hand placement and orientation. Have fun!

Watch Points

  1. Some pets may find the weight-shifting uncomfortable as they recover from surgery. Be sure to use lots of breaks and don’t push for movement too quickly.

  2. Be sure most uses of “Touch!” are things your pet wants to do, otherwise you risk making the game itself unpleasant. For example, in the video below, I wait until Lily seems really comfortable before I see if she’ll target my hand through the donut. I don’t want her to think that “Touch!” will result in her being tricked.

    Adding On

    Once you have a reliable hand touch, you can use it to guide your pet into different positions. For example, need them to walk slowly down the stair? Guide then with a hand touch. Want them to greet people politely? Aiming for a hand helps keep all feet on the ground. Want to redirect from barking out a window? Ask for a hand target across the room instead.

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