Targeting: a simple and effective behavior
by Claire Anderson, CPDT-KA, FDM, CSAP-BC
What is a “target” behavior for dogs? In the world of dog behavior and training, to target simply means to touch something. It could mean touching an object with their paws or nose. It can also mean touching a hand with their paws or nose. In this article, we are focusing on nose targeting hands and objects.
Why Teach Targeting?
Targeting is a versatile skill that can improve communication, increase engagement, and strengthen the bond between dogs and their humans.
Targeting provides several key benefits:
Improved Focus and Attention: Hand targeting builds a positive association with the trainer’s hand, making it a useful tool for guiding the dog’s attention and redirecting them from distractions.
Gentle Handling and Movement: Because it’s a hands-off approach to directing a dog’s movement, hand targeting is ideal for teaching leash walking, positioning during veterinary exams, and other tasks requiring the dog to move voluntarily.
Boosting Confidence: Many dogs, especially shy or fearful ones, benefit from an activity where they’re rewarded for approaching a human hand at their own pace. Targeting can empower dogs to engage with their environment in a controlled way.
Foundation for Complex Behaviors: Targeting (hands or objects) serves as a stepping stone for teaching more advanced behaviors like agility, retrieving, and other forms of distance work.
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Hand Targeting
Materials Needed:
Small, high-value treats (something your dog loves but only gets during training)
Quiet training space with minimal distractions
Step 1: Introduce the Hand Target
Begin by holding a treat in one hand and extending the other hand, palm open, in front of your dog below their nose level.
The moment the dog sniffs, noses, or touches your open palm with their nose, immediately mark the behavior with a verbal marker like "Yes!" or a click from a clicker.
Follow the marker by giving the dog a treat from your other hand. Repeat this step several times to reinforce the idea that touching the hand equals a reward.
Step 2: Add a Cue
After several repetitions, start adding a verbal cue, such as “Touch” or “Boop,” just before you present your hand.
When the dog responds consistently, reinforce by marking and rewarding every time they touch your hand on cue.
If your dog doesn’t immediately respond to the cue, don’t rush. Return to offering your hand without the cue until they consistently engage, then try adding the cue again.
Step 3: Vary the Hand Position
Once your dog reliably touches your hand on cue, change the positioning of your hand slightly—moving it slightly to the side, up, or down. Gradually increase the difficulty, rewarding your dog each time they respond correctly.
This helps your dog generalize the behavior and builds their understanding that the touch cue applies regardless of hand position.
Step 4: Increase Distance
Gradually increase the distance between your hand and the dog’s starting position. Begin by moving your hand just a few inches away, then slowly work up to several feet.
Reward the dog generously when they follow your hand from a distance, which reinforces their enthusiasm and willingness to engage with the hand target.
To teach your dog to nose target an object, use the same method as above, substituting an object (target stick, ball, lid, post-it, etc) for the hand.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Dog ignores the hand: If your dog doesn’t immediately touch your hand, they might need more motivation. Start by rubbing a treat on your palm to add a scent, or even hide the treat in your hand initially, giving it to the dog as soon as they show interest.
Dog is fearful of hands: If your dog is scared of hands and hand movement, start teaching targeting on a small, non-threatening object instead.
Distractions: Teaching in a quiet, controlled environment is key. Once your dog reliably touches your hand in a distraction-free setting, gradually add mild distractions, rewarding them generously for responding correctly. Build up to more challenging situations as they gain confidence.
Practical Applications of Targeting
1. Recall and Redirection
Hand targeting can be a game-changer for recall. Instead of simply calling a dog’s name, a hand target invites them to physically engage with you, often making it more enticing. During training, regularly practice targeting as part of your recall routine, rewarding the dog for reaching your hand from various distances.
2. Loose Leash Walking
To encourage loose leash walking, use hand targeting to guide your dog to a position beside you. This technique helps dogs focus on their handler instead of pulling, sniffing, or getting distracted.
3. Veterinary and Grooming Comfort
Many dogs find veterinary exams and grooming stressful. Hand targeting can help guide a dog to position themselves for necessary exams or nail trims. It’s an excellent way to build cooperative care routines, allowing the dog to move willingly without physical manipulation.
4. Behavioral Modification for Fearful or Reactive Dogs
For dogs that are fearful or reactive, hand targeting can be invaluable. It creates a predictable, reinforcing behavior that the dog can engage in to earn rewards. By focusing on your hand or target object, fearful or reactive dogs can learn to navigate a stressful world.
Tips for Success
Consistency Is Key: Reinforce hand targeting in short, regular training sessions and continue using it in different environments to solidify the behavior.
Use High-Value Rewards: For especially important scenarios, like recall, use high-value treats that make the behavior worth the effort.
Avoid Overusing the Cue: Targeting should be engaging and fun for your dog. Avoid drilling it to the point where they lose interest. Always keep sessions positive and upbeat.
Generalize and Practice: Introduce targeting in various contexts to ensure your dog generalizes the behavior, making it reliable in any setting.
Targeting is one of the most versatile tools in any dog trainer’s toolkit. It requires little time to teach but offers significant benefits in building confidence, control, and focus. By incorporating targeting into regular training and daily life, you’re not only teaching your dog a useful skill but also fostering a positive, trusting relationship that will pay dividends in the long run. Whether working with puppies, adult dogs, or dogs with special behavioral needs, hand targeting is a powerful, humane, and highly effective approach for strengthening the human-canine bond.
