So, everyone has been practicing doing tricks and training with their pups this weekend, not just eating turkey and pumpkin pie, right?
Geordie at about the age when we did Agility.
Back when Geordie was a tiny puppy, I took him to an Agility class to try to find a way to wear him out. (You can stop laughing now.) For it to count when a dog comes down the incline, he/she has to touch the yellow bar at the bottom with a paw. Most dogs like to jump over that spot, so we were told to hold our hands down and teach the pup to touch our hands as they went past. That would slow them enough to get them to touch the yellow line.
Not my image.
All the other dogs realized that they were supposed to bump their human’s hand with their noses as they went past. Geordie, on the other paw, was very literal. If I held out my hand, he would stop and touch it with his hand. That slowed him too much, and he would end up with a lousy time.
For my boy I had to teach him “paw touch” and “nose touch”. Later I applied the commands to a number of different things. If your dog is good at paw touch, a nifty way to use the skill is to have them press down on the ribbon as you tie a bow on Christmas presents. Just for fun, I would let Geordie choose which paper I used on which gift. That was another paw touch moment. He had fun doing that.
Probably the easiest ways to teach Touch is by example. I would sit down on the floor with Geordie and touch a ball and say, “Mommy touch ball, now Geordie touch ball”. When he was first learning, I might prompt him by pointing at his paw then the ball. As soon as he touched it, I would cheer and give him a treat. As the pup gains confidence, you can have him touch things that aren’t immediately in front of him. Have him walk several steps to touch something. Eventually he can go across a room to do Touch. Most dogs will touch things with their paws. The goal here is to associate the word with the action so that you have a command.
As I worked with Geordie, I taught him the names for his body parts. He knew ear, eye, nose, front paw, back paw, fur, back, tummy and tail. After I taught him his body parts, I would ask him “Where is mommy’s paw?” or tell him “Touch mommy’s ear”, and he would have to touch the right body part. The one that made both Geordie and Toby laugh was “Nose touch mommy’s nose”.
If you were looking for ways to teach your pup Touch, these are some fun ways to incorporate the command into everyday life.
Everyday life? Do I look like an everyday dog to you?!
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Ha ha! What a mental image! Geordie preferred to peck me really hard with his nose. These are fine ways to communicate as long as you don’t mind bruises. 😂
Maverick is good at touching my hand when asked, so I’m gonna start with toys. Maybe crocodile. 🙂
Good boy, Maverick! You’re already way ahead of the curve. 😊
You should write a book and illustrate it – pictures of dogs doing the various tricks – I’m thinking it would sell
I’m practicing organizing my thoughts with these posts. I’l keep practicing with the illustrations too.
Max is too busy practicing the “sleep” command to be bothered touching anything.
Normally I’d say to quit giving the sleep command so much, but I know how happy you must be to see Max sleeping and resting comfortably. Instead try a different touch. While Max is sleeping, give him warm gentle hugs and press your cheek against his fur.
Thank you. We know you spent countless hours working with your special boy.
😊💕
What fun!
YAY, Geordie!
YAY for Geordie’s mom!
(((HUGS))) for Mom! PATS and RUBS for Toby!
Toby is good at these tricks too, so he woofs, “Thank you”!
We know you are, Toby! We are so proud of you! 🙂
Cooper woofs woofs back to you with ❤ !
My lot would take one look at the agility equipment and start tearing it apart…they are like kids who prefer the box to the toy
That is funny! You should take your pups to Agility some day just to watch the very prim and proper set that does that sport freak out over seeing playful dogs in the ring.
Geordie did things his own unique way. He insisted on walking across the top of tunnel rather than going through it.
Good for Geordie…he did it his way….
That’s just amazing. Are you sure Geordie was a dog…??!
No, I am not certain at all!!
Geordie was so great! I’d have to think that you were part of that equation.
You made me laugh about the prim and proper set at agility. I’d generally describe dog people of that ilk as more dominant types. One time a woman told me that I didn’t know how to carry my dog, another time that my sweetie’s name wasn’t good enough. Dogs seem to be (many times) an extension tool of these people. You and Geordie, and Toby are more partners or equals. Yours and their communications is a very special thing.
Weird question: does Geordie ever come to you in dreams or even in waking? Your bond seems very strong.
Yes, Geordie has come around a few times since he’s crossed o the other side. It is always a good day when I get to see my boy.
Geordie had such an incredibly strong personality that it is hard to describe. If ever a dog got loose in the neighborhood, all I had to do was take him outside, and the other dog would be drawn to him. It was the same in Agility class. The other dog moms would turn their noses up at me, but their dogs would be crawling under the chairs to play with Geordie.