Hand Targeting

Hand targeting is great to not only teach the dog commands like come but also for dogs who are nervous about hands moving toward them.

  1. Have high value treats ready.
  2. Say the dog’s name and “touch” and put your hand down. (Flat palm with no treat in the hand).
  3. Reward when the dog comes over and touches your hand with her nose.
  4. As she improves at the game work on moving farther from her before asking her to touch.

*If she will not touch initially with an empty hand you can start with a treat in your hand the first few times.