Teach Hand Touch with a Lure

Use this only if your dog still hesitates to touch your empty palm.

  1. 1Put a piece of food between your fingers and hold out a flat palm.
  2. 2Offer your hand about 2 inches from your dog's nose.
  3. 3Mark as soon as your dog sniffs or touches your hand, then let them eat the food.
  4. 4Repeat several times at this close distance.
  5. 5As your dog gets the idea, offer your hand a few inches farther away.
  6. 6Once your dog can touch from about two feet away, mix food-in-hand reps with empty-hand reps rewarded from your treat pouch.

Use food as a temporary support when building a solid hand touch.

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