The Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop is sponsored by Caru, Nature’s Logic, and The Honest Kitchen.

We’re so excited to be a part of this year’s Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop! Henry and I are joining up with fourteen other dog bloggers to bring you the chance to win almost $600 in prizes while teaching your dog fifteen new tricks.

We’re going to teach you a “trick” that will help you keep your dog’s attention if there is something distracting afoot. Henry is reactive on walks, which can be a challenge in the city, and teaching him to touch my hand on command helps to center him and regain his focus if we run into another dog. Keeping reading for your chance to learn “TOUCH” and win a bunch of fun prizes!

“Touch”

I use a clicker training method with Henry, so I will be referencing it in the steps. Clicker training is very useful to help a dog understand exactly which moment he is doing the correct behavior. You can learn more about clicker training here. Alternatively, you can use a single word such as “YES!” to mark the moment your dog performs the behavior.

1.) Let’s Start!

First, you dog needs to get used to touching your palm with his nose. Present your hand to your dog, holding it flat with the palm facing him. When he sniffs or investigates it, click or say “YES!” and give him a treat. If you dog needs a little bit of encouragement, consider smearing a little peanut butter or cheese on your hand to entice him.

2.) Next Steps

Put your hand behind your back so that your dog can’t see it and wait a second. Present it again, and reward your dog when he sniffs or investigates it again. Repeat this several times until your dog associates seeing your hand with touching your palm.

3.) Adding The Command

When he is touching your hand reliably, you can add in the command “TOUCH.” Keep practicing until he will touch your palm with his nose whenever you present your hand and give the command. Remember to keep rewarding your dog!

4.) Make It More Challenging!

Start asking your dog to “touch” from further distances so he has to walk a bit to reach you. Increase the distance he has to travel little by little until he has to travel across your apartment or house. If you practice and strengthen it enough, your can use “touch” as a recall. Keep it fun and rewarding, and your dog may drop whatever it’s doing to come “boop” your hand!

5.) Have Fun!

You can have some fun with this, too! I like to present my hand to Henry at all different angles and heights, challenging him to spin and jump to reach it. He loves it and we have a lot of fun!

That’s It!

Pretty easy, right? Many dogs can learn this trick quickly. This was one of the first things I taught Henry after I adopted him, and I used it as a bonding exercise as we got to know each other.

Important Notes

1.) It’s so important to keep training fun and positive for you and your dog! If he makes a mistake, consider saying “oops!” instead of “no” to keep things light and happy. He will love working with you if he has a good time!

2.) Try to keep training sessions short and digestible — Henry likes to work in ten-minute chunks — to keep your dog from getting bored or frustrated.

3.) End on a good note! Make sure everyone walks away from the training session feelings great by ending it after your dog successfully performed the behavior.

Enter to Win!

Now that we’ve learned a “TRICK,” it’s time for some “TREATS!” Use the widget at the end of the post to enter for your chance to win some great prizes, and visit each participating blog for your chance to learn a new trick and enter additional times! Giveaway is open to the US and Canada and ends 11:59PM PST on 10/30/16.

Prizes

GRAND PRIZE: $300 Gift Card to PetSmart.

SECOND PRIZE: Sponsored by Caru Pet Food. Prize is a 14 bag assortment of Caru’s Soft ‘n Tasty Baked Bites and Baked Bars. Estimated value is $100.

THIRD PRIZE: Sponsored by Nature’s Logic. Prize is 1 bag of canine beef lung treats, 1 bag of canine beef liver treats, and 1 bag of canine beef tendon treats for 3 lbs of treats in total. Estimated value is $80.

FOURTH PRIZE: Sponsored by The Honest Kitchen. The prize pack will include the new Nice Mussels plus Wishes, Pecks (8 oz), Beams (7 oz), Quickies, and Smooches (16 oz). Estimated value is $72.

PLUS: Follow all participating blogs on Instagram for your details on how to win a $20 PetSmart gift card and a bow tie of choice from Brooklyn Bowtied!

Participating Bloggers

Kol’s Notes

Beagles & Bargains

My Dog Likes

A Dog Walks into a Bar

Wag ‘N Woof Pets

Dog Mom Days

Heart Like a Dog

My GBGV Life

ChiPets

Rubicon Days

Fidose of Reality

It’s Dog or Nothing

Sarcastic Dog

Tails from the Road

Enter Using This Widget!

Trick or Treat Hop



GOOD LUCK!