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

Mon Jul 11 16:34:11 UTC 2016

I use the touch command like Tami and Julie, to redirect from sniffing
and such undesired behaviors as well as positioning the dog. I also
use it as a sort of recall. Thai loves the touch command for some
reasons I don't fully understand, so it's an extra insentive to come:
he comes running, touches my hand, and sits in front of me. I can
sometimes use touch to quickly figure out if Thai is hiding something
in his mouth. For example, he'll steal a sock, put the whole thing in
his mouth so the humans can't see it and Puppy can't take it. He
typically won't touch if he's hiding something, at least not
enthusiastically on the first request as he normally does.

Danielle and Thai

On 7/11/16, Julie J. via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
> available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> -----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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NAGDU:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/tami%40poodlemutt.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/axs.brl%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.2265 / Virus Database: 4365/12090 - Release Date: 07/10/16
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dsykora29%40gmail.com
>