The goal of this trick is to have our dog touch his nose to our open palm.

This is not only a super easy “happy trick”*, but also a great way to focus your dog on you .

Like Food Chasing, the Handtouch is often one of the behaviors our dogs can do for us when they are not able to perform any advanced behaviors (because they are in a new place, or distracted, or anxious etc.)

It takes pretty little “Brain Power” from the dog to do a Handtouch, and the engaging nature and sensory feedback of the trick makes it a perfect skill to ask for when your dog struggles with more difficult behaviors.

Here you can see Elise demonstrate with Missy:

 
And Steffi with Fusion: