Lesson 1: Nose Targeting

If you have already read "Your first time." and have practiced the exercise mentioned several times now you are ready for your first lesson. *CONFETTI AND PARTY BALLOONS!*

Learning this behavior will be helpful for future training exercises and is helpful for guiding your dog into the desired position during training other behaviors later. Targeting is giving your dog a desired area to shoot for and touch with something (her nose or paw). In this exercise your dog will touch your hand with their nose.

This is an easy exercise for you to teach your dog, especially since the both of you are just starting out clicker training. Remember, click just once, always reward, end on a positive note and use a special food reward!

Start with your dog in the sit position.

1. Hold your hand out. Say "target".

2. If your dog sniffs it or touches CLICK and reward. If your dog will not sniff your hand, put some peanut butter or rub some lunch meat juice/ hot dog juice on your hand to get them to sniff it. the idea is just for your dog to use their nose to touch your hand.

3. Repeat, for several short sessions until your dog will respond to the command target and touch your hand.

4. Gradually move your hand slightly away from your dogs nose, so your dog will have to stretch their neck to reach your hand.

5. Try this with your dog standing.