The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training. Teoti Anderson

target, click, remove the target, and treat. This is not common, though. Most dogs explore with their noses first. So, if your dog noses the target, click, remove the target, and treat. You remove your target so he won’t touch it again before you are ready to click and treat him again.

      Why is it OK to click the nosing of the target instead of the pawing? Because for dogs, nosing and pawing are closely connected behaviors. If your dog starts with his nose, don’t worry. He will soon switch to pawing.

      2.If your dog started by pawing the target, repeat about ten times and then end your training session.

      3.If your dog started by nosing the target, repeat until he is nosing the target reliably, about ten times. Then, present the target and wait. Don’t click for him nosing the target. Just wait. He will soon get frustrated when nosing no longer works, and he will try something else, likely a paw. The second he touches the target with his paw, click, remove the target, and treat. Repeat ten more times. End your training session.

      Tip: Some dogs like to use their paws more than others do and will pick this up quickly. Others take a while. Training a paw target may take just one session, or it may take several. Just proceed as far as your dog can succeed. Also, some dogs are mouthier than others. You may find your sporting-breed dog trying to pick up the target. If that’s the case, just anchor the target with your foot so he can’t pick it up. This exercise is not a retrieve. If you let your dog pick up the target, it will be harder to teach him to paw it.

      When your dog is consistently pawing, it’s time to move the target.

      1.Start placing the target in different locations, but within a couple of feet (about a meter) of your dog. Click and treat every time he touches a paw to the target.

      2.Hold the target in the palm of your hand, against the ground. Click and treat for every correct response.

      3.Gradually start moving the target a little higher, but still at a comfortable height for your dog. Click and treat for every correct response.

      4.Repeat for a total of ten repetitions. End your training session.

      When your dog is reliably touching the target with his paw, no matter where you present it, it’s time to add the cue.

      1.Just before you present your hand, say the cue “Paw” once, in a friendly voice. When your dog paws the target, click and treat.

      2.Repeat for a total of ten repetitions. End your training session.

      Some breeds are mouthier than others and may try to pick up the target.

      Part II: Puppy Training