Teaching 'Touch'

Teaching your dog to “touch” is one of the simplest yet most versatile skills you can add to their repertoire. This command, where your dog learns to touch their nose to your hand (or another object), isn’t just cute; it’s a practical foundation for many training exercises and an excellent way to bond with your dog.

Whether you’re working on recall, reinforcing focus, or building your dog’s confidence, “touch” provides a fun, low-pressure way for them to engage with you. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions to teach "touch," even if you’re new to dog training. So grab some treats, and let’s get started with this simple trick that can transform your training game!

Touch

• For this game, you want a handful of small treats/kibble in one hand, while your other is empty. While you are teaching this skill, one hand will always be the target while the other will be the food delivery. It helps to keep your food delivery hand behind your back unless you're giving a treat.
• Hold out your empty hand, palm forward as if you are offering something. You can turn this into a hand signal by pointing two fingers, while your others remain closed in a fist.
• Your dog will naturally want to check out what treats you might have in that hand. As soon as his nose touches your hand, say “yes!” and reward with a treat from your other hand. 
• Repeat. Again, and again. Keep it fun! If you hold your hand out and he doesn’t show interest, pretend like you are getting something/etc and then try again - or you might need to present it closer to his face.
• When he reliably is moving towards your hand, start saying “touch” right before he moves towards your hand - this will attach a verbal cue to a behavior he already knows how to do.
• Try saying "touch" before presenting your hand, to see if your pup looks for the target on their own.
• A good way to strengthen this skill once it is learned is by holding out your hand in one direction for the first repetition, then next time hold your hand out a different direction/spin around/etc so that he is actively moving to follow your hand.