10 Minute Training: Day 3
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
Day 3: Hand Targeting (Touch Training)
Week 1: Foundations & Communication
Goal:
Teach your dog to touch your hand with their nose on command, helping with focus, recall, and overall engagement.
What You Need:
Treats (small, soft, and high-value)
A quiet space to train without distractions
What to Do:
Present Your Hand: Hold your hand out palm open and facing your dog, about an inch or two away from their nose.
Wait for a Response: Most dogs will naturally sniff or investigate your hand. As soon as their nose touches your palm, immediately say “Yes!” in a positive tone.
Reward Immediately: After saying “Yes!”, give your dog a treat.
Repeat: Do this 10–15 times in a row, keeping the session short and fun.
Tips for Success:
Don’t Force It: If your dog doesn’t touch your hand at first, try rubbing a treat on your palm or moving your hand slightly to encourage curiosity.
Keep It Simple: Avoid giving extra commands—let your dog figure it out naturally.
Timing Matters: Say “Yes!” the moment their nose touches your hand, then reward quickly.
Increase Difficulty Gradually: Once your dog understands the game, start moving your hand slightly further away or to different positions to reinforce the skill.
Why It Works:
Hand targeting is a great tool for building focus, improving recall, and redirecting behaviour. It also helps nervous or excitable dogs gain confidence by giving them a clear, easy task to complete.
End of Day 3:
By the end of today’s session, your dog should start to understand that touching your hand with their nose leads to a reward. Over time, this will become a useful command for guiding them, getting their attention, and even helping with leash training!
Keep up the great work—tomorrow, we’ll continue building on these skills! 🐾
Further Reading:
Come back tomorrow for day 4
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