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)


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