🐾 Vet-Approved 2025 Guide: Target Training Your Dog with the Touch Cue 🐶👉

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

Looking for a simple and powerful way to boost your dog’s focus, confidence, and cooperation? 👃🎯 Target training—also called “touch training”—teaches your dog to tap their nose to your hand or an object. It's fun, fast, and full of potential! 🎉🐾

🔍 What Is Targeting?

Targeting is when your dog learns to touch a body part (usually their nose 👃) to a specific object, such as:

• 🖐️ Your open hand (most common)
• 📏 A target stick or spatula
• 📱 A phone or household item
• 📝 Sticky notes or marked spots

It’s a foundational behavior you can use in dozens of ways to guide your dog, reduce fear, and encourage polite, purposeful movement 🧠🐕

🎯 Why Use Targeting?

This simple skill opens the door to many other behaviors and benefits:

• 🚪 Moving your dog across a room or threshold
• 🚗 Guiding them into a crate, carrier, or car
• ⚖️ Helping them get on the vet scale or table
• 🎬 Creating alternative cues for recall
• 🔓 Opening/closing doors and drawers with advanced shaping
• 🧠 Building confidence and reducing fear in new situations
• 👋 Teaching polite greetings with guests

🧰 What You’ll Need

• 🍗 High-value treats or kibble
• 🔊 A clicker or a marker word like “Yes!”
• 🖐️ Your hand or an object as the target

📘 Step-by-Step: Teaching the Nose Touch

1️⃣ Start Close 🔽

• Hold out your hand, palm open and fingers down, 2–3 inches from your dog’s nose
• When your dog sniffs, licks, or touches your hand, click and treat! 🎯🍖

2️⃣ Repeat and Reward 🔁

• Do several short sessions of 5–10 reps
• Change the hand’s position gradually—closer to the side, slightly higher, or lower

3️⃣ Add the Cue 🗣️

• Once your dog is consistently touching, say “Touch” right before they do it
• Click and treat immediately after each successful touch

🔁 Targeting an Object

Want to use a target stick or object? Follow the same steps:

• 📏 Present the object close to your dog’s nose
• Click and treat for nose touches
• Add the “Touch” cue once consistent

This is helpful when guiding your dog into small spaces, greeting new people, or creating physical distance from your hand for safety or accessibility 🔄

🚶 Adding Movement to the Touch

🚶‍♀️ Method 1: Stationary Handler, Moving Target

• Hold out the target, cue “Touch,” then move it slightly away as your dog approaches
• Gradually increase the distance and complexity

🏃 Method 2: Moving Handler

• Start walking slowly while holding the target ahead of you
• Click and treat every time your dog follows and touches the target
• Try walking backwards or switching hands!

🌳 Add Distractions & Real-Life Practice

• 🏡 Practice inside first
• 🌼 Then move to your yard or hallway
• 🚶 Try outside during walks with mild distractions
• 🎯 Make a fun game: weave through chairs, jump up for the target, or pass through doorways

🤝 Have a friend or family member offer their hand as the target while you cue and reward. This can help with polite greetings and socialization 🧍‍♀️🐶

🧠 Pro Tips for Success

• 🎊 Keep sessions short and upbeat
• 🔁 Always end on a successful rep
• 📍 Gradually increase complexity—don’t rush!
• 🎤 Make your “Touch” cue sound fun and energetic

💬 Final Thoughts: Target Training = Trust + Fun 🐕🎉

Targeting is one of the most versatile, empowering behaviors you can teach. Whether for training, vet visits, confidence-building, or fun games—it’s a win for both you and your dog 🧠🐾

📲 Need Personalized Help?

For step-by-step coaching or help adapting touch training to your pup’s needs, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱

Our expert team is here to guide you with practical solutions and positive training plans that build real results 🐶💬

🎯 Ready, set—Touch! 🖐️🐾