Hand Targeting

Home » Volunteer » Foster » Training Info » Hand Targeting

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.

  • Have high value treats ready.
  • Say the dog's name and "touch" and put your hand down (flat palm with no treat in the hand).
  • Reward when the dog comes over and touches your hand with her nose.
  • 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.