Why Target Training Is Important

Target training may look like a simple game, but it can become one of the most useful skills in your dog's training toolbox! Target training teaches your dog to intentionally touch a specific object or location with a part of their body (Usually their paw or nose). One of the most common examples of target training is a hand target. This is where your dog learns to touch their nose to the palm of your hand.

So why is this helpful?

Target training gives us a way to guide our dogs without physically moving, pushing, or forcing them into a position. Instead, we can teach our dogs where we would like them to go and allow them to make that choice themselves.

A hand target can be used for many things such as....

• To move your dog to one location to another

• Redirect your dogs attention away from something in the environment

• Help position your dog during grooming and or veterinary exams

• Teach recall, loose leash walking, everyday skills

• Builds confidence around new objects and environments

• Create fun tricks such as "spin" and more advanced behaviors like closing a kitchen drawer and more!

What starts as a simple nose boop aka the touch cue to your hand can simply become one of the most useful skills in your dogs life.