Touch command.

[marmstr]

The trainer at our local Petsmart puppy class uses "touch" instead of "come" because people use the word "come" so many different ways. It made sense when she told us about it and that's what we've been trying to teach. We'll probably switch to 'come' or something more generic like 'hey you, you crazy animal get in here' when she's more reliable about any recall.

[Tanya]

My old Brownie taught herself the "touch" command... whenever she "demanded" attention and you didn´t pay it she would come from behind and give you a nose push right in the middle of your butt...

She certainly got the attention she wanted afterwards LOL

LOL! love it. Rocky does this, not sure if it is directely related to learning "touch" but he will poke me in the stomach. or in the pant pocket where assumes I have treats!

[Tanya]

The trainer at our local Petsmart puppy class uses "touch" instead of "come" because people use the word "come" so many different ways. It made sense when she told us about it and that's what we've been trying to teach. We'll probably switch to 'come' or something more generic like 'hey you, you crazy animal get in here' when she's more reliable about any recall.

I agree that "come" is not the best word for recall as we use it too naturally in conversation (Ex" ok come boy, let's go for a walk..."). but in the class did "touch" mean to touch your hand or was it just a word that replaced "come" but ment for the dog to move to your side?

[marmstr]

I agree that "come" is not the best word for recall as we use it too naturally in conversation (Ex" ok come boy, let's go for a walk..."). but in the class did "touch" mean to touch your hand or was it just a word that replaced "come" but ment for the dog to move to your side?

It means come to our side and touch our hand. Currently we're working on 'touch' along with 'sit' so that we can get leash on/off and a toy out of her mouth.

"Graduation" from puppy class is tomorrow. Wish us luck! She/we have to demonstrate 'touch', 'sit', 'drop-it', 'leave-it', 'down', 'stay', and 'wait'. She's probably nearly 100% on 'sit', 'wait' and 'leave-it' (including 'leave-it' in reference to the cat!) and 60% on 'drop-it' (if you count just letting go for someone to take it). "Down", "stay" and 'touch' from any distance are still a 'work in progress'...hopefully she'll pass. I'd hate to have the dog that fails puppy kindergarten and isn't promoted to the next level!

[kassabella]

Good luck tomorrow.

I taught Kassa to touch whatever I pointed at.This went on to other things. She would open doors, or hit the plate in flyball, touch my hand please, or tap my hand that held the treat, or touch my hand when she found the marker. I agree come gets other words. Ours is often hey...or hey you and they come, but know come is exactly that. Now.

Erns touches my hand that has the treat.

Interesting and interesting Nathans comments.