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Right on Target - This seemingly frivolous behavior has numerous practical applications.

Targeting means teaching your dog to touch a designated body part to a designated location. Nose targeting is most commonly taught, but it can also be trained with a front or hind paw, a hip or shoulder, even an ear or tail! The designated target can also be anything imaginable, including the palm of your hand or your closed fist, a finger, target stick, spot on the wall or door, or just about any object you choose to ask your dog to target to.

The question is, why would you want to teach your dog to touch his nose (or other body part) to a designated spot on cue? The reasons are legion. For example:

• Targeting can be used to boost the confidence level of a timid dog.
• It can prompt a dog to offer a new behavior without a food lure.
• You can use it to keep a dog’s attention focused on you instead of on distractions.
• Your dog can turn appliances on and off, close doors, ring bells.
• Target as an “emergency recall” cue.
• Targeting is used to teach dogs to locate the contact zones in agility.
• Your dog can learn to play the piano!
• It’s useful for teaching lateral movement for Canine Freestyle (dancing with your dog) and APDT Rally.
• It’s easy to train, it’s just plain fun, and dogs love it!

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