[NAGDU] What is the "Touch" Command Used For?

[Julie J.]

I use the touch command like Tami does to bridge to other behaviors, but I 
also use it by itself when I want the dog to move into a particular spot and 
there is no other obvious command.  Examples: when I'm sitting down and 
grooming and I need the dog to take a step forward or turn around so I can 
reach the other side, I'll use touch and lead the dog into position with the 
touch cue.  Another time I might need the dog to move a little back or to 
the left or something in an elevator to make more room for others, touch 
works really well in this tight space.

HTH
Julie
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now 
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-----Original Message----- 
From: Dani Pagador via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, July 04, 2016 3:34 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Dani Pagador
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] What is the "Touch" Command Used For?

Hi, Tami.
You wrote, in part, "I continue to use it to ensure I have the dog's
attention, to find out where the dog's nose is, to direct the nose and
so forth. ... I also use touch a lot to redirect from sniffing."

The "touch" command isn't something I remember learning with either of
my girls--Got them both from New Zealand, but I am 45 and have early
bouts of senioritis.

Would you describe the hand signal? I know that you use the closed
fist with a treat to teach and reward when the command is obeyed, but
need A-Z directions re the command itself.

In response to someone asking how to teach the "touch" command, a list
member posted:
"The “touch” command, or the target command is when your dog touches
your outstretched hand with his nose.

"You can teach this by putting a treat in your closed fist and holding
out your hand.  When the dog sniffs your hand, give him the treat.
Repeat for practice until he understands the word “touch.

"you can also do this by using a clicker.  Hold out your hand.  When
the dog touches or sniffs your hand, click and treat.  Add the command
“touch” when your dog is consistantly touching your hand when you
present it.  Back off on the treats and only give them randomly,
eventually fading them out altogether, or just reward very randomly to
keep the dog sharp."

Peg has a love for dog chocolate i.e., cat or chicken #2, which get
left on the grass plots she goes to for relief. Our apartment complex
has 10-12 stray cats and a few stray chickens, as well as other dogs
that live in the complex. Would I be able to use the "touch" command
to deter her picking up the much beloved by her dog chocolate?

She is 13-pushing-14, insisting she's three. She has neck problems, so
can't use a collar with a lead attached anymore. I have her lead
attached to a chest harness.

Ideas?

Thanks,
Dani

On 7/4/16, Tami Jarvis via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Dani,
>
> For me, the "touch" is a really important foundation behavior, so it's
> the first thing I teach while I'm teaching the dog to associate a click
> with reward. I can then use touch to teach the early versions of just
> about anything else. I continue to use it to ensure I have the dog's
> attention, to find out where the dog's nose is, to direct the nose and
> so forth. It's also handy for teaching find at first. I just put my two
> fingers (the hand signal for touch) on the object I want the dog to
> learn, then click and treat when the dog touches it. I also use touch a
> lot to redirect from sniffing and so forth. Dogs tend naturally to watch
> a human's hands to find out what the human wants, so that makes it just
> really handy in a lot of situations. Most of my hand signals are
> modifications of the signal I use for touch, since the dog's nose
> follows those first two fingers.
>
> I also use touch to teach the dogs to show me objects by name and so
> forth. It can be a fun game when we're hard up for entertainment and
> useful when I drop stuff.
>
> hth,
>
> Tami
>
> On 07/04/2016 11:30 AM, Dani Pagador via NAGDU wrote:
>> Hi, Everyone.
>> I'm looking through old mail and cleaning my NAGDU folder out. Saw a
>> msg re the "touch" command and how to teach it. What is this used for?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Dani, wanting to see if she can teach her old dog a new skill
>>
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