Teaching a “touch” cue
"Touch" is one of my favorite cues to teach a dog. I love watching their progression from accidentally bumping into my hand to purposefully pressing it like a button!
The "touch" cue is incredibly beneficial for your dog because it's such an easy behavior to request! For instance, if my dog and I have practiced this cue extensively and they've mastered it, asking for a "touch" in stressful situations is much simpler than requesting a stationary behavior like "sit." All my dog needs to do is turn their head!
In this video, I use Randall's kibble as reinforcement. If you're wondering what type of treats to use, visit my treat recommendations page!
If your dog already knows a cue like "shake" or any cue with a similar visual signal to extending your hand, you might see them offer that behavior instead of investigating your hand. If this occurs, try using a closed fist or extending just two fingers, making the visual cue for "touch" more distinct from other cues your dog might be offering.
As always, if you encounter difficulties teaching your dog this or any other cues, don't hesitate to contact us for a private lesson or check out our new group class offerings!
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Hi folks, Lily from Spot On Dog Training here, along with my dog, Randall. Today, we're going to show you how to teach your dog the "touch cue" – a fun and simple behavior where your dog touches your hand with their nose.
The touch cue has lots of practical applications. Teaching it is a great way to strengthen your bond with your dog and it can be used to guide them through different situations. For example, if Randall steals my spot on the couch, I can use the touch cue to politely ask him to move. We also use it during vet visits to help Randall step onto the scale and as part of our "go say hi" cue to encourage him to greet people in a friendly and well-mannered way. Discover all the reasons why I love the touch cue by checking out my blog post on our website!
To teach the touch cue, present your flat palm near your dog's face. As they naturally turn their head to investigate and touch your hand with their nose, mark and reinforce the behavior with a treat. Use a marker word like "yes" or "good," or a clicker. For more on markers, check out my blog post,, "What's a marker?" on our website.
Once your dog consistently touches your hand on purpose, gradually increase the distance between their nose and your hand. You should also vary your hand's position and switch between hands to help your dog learn the cue more effectively. When your dog reliably touches your hand every time, you can start using the verbal cue "touch." First, say "touch" as they touch your hand for several repetitions, then say "touch" before presenting your hand. This will teach your dog to associate the word with the action.
