How to Teach Your Dog “Touch” — A Step-By-Step Guide

Old dogs — really dogs of any age — can learn new tricks. They just need regular practice, a good teacher (that’s you), and a little motivation (read: T-R-E-A-T-S). Training your dog and helping them learn new skills not only supports you in your day-to-day life (think: sit, stay, come, and potty training), it also helps your dog’s cognitive development and bonds them more closely with you. Here’s a great recall exercise you can teach your dog in 5 easy steps. It’s called “touch.”

Teaching your dog “touch” on cue is useful in a variety of situations. It can help …

• redirect a reactive dog in the presence of one of their triggers.
• distract an anxious dog and help build confidence in new environments.
• entertain and exercise high-energy breeds.
• as a reliable recall command during off-leash activities.

What You’ll Need:

1. High-Value Treats
2. A Clicker (optional)
3. Your Dog (not optional)