How to Help a Shy Dog Blossom Using Targeting and Clicker Training

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Decide if you are going to use a dog training clicker or if you want to train your dog to a verbal marker, such as "yes." If your shy dog is afraid of the sound of the clicker, use a verbal marker instead.
Step 2:
Train your dog to the clicker. The first thing you need to do is get the dog to associate the click or the verbal marker, with a treat. To do this, take a handful of the dog's favorite treats. Click the clicker, or say your verbal marker, then give him a treat. Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times.
Step 3:
Teach hand targeting to a shy dog next. Take a soft treat with a lot of smell to it. Rub the treat on the palm of your hand and then hold the treat in your hand, tucked between two of your fingers.
Step 4:
Hang your hand down by your side with the palm of your hand facing the dog's nose. When she sniffs your hand, click the clicker or say your marker, and give her the treat.
Step 5:
Progress to the next step of hanging your hand down by your side without a treat, or the smell of a treat on your hand. When the dog touches your hand with his nose, click the clicker and give him a treat using your other hand.
Step 6:
Take targeting a step further by training your dog to target an object instead of your hand. Choose an object such as a chair. Place a treat on the object. When she touches the object to get the treat, click the clicker and let her eat the treat. Continue practicing this without the treat on the object, the same way you did with hand targeting.
Step 7:
Target a stranger. Finally, socialize your shy dog by teaching him to hand target a stranger. Take your dog around another person. Teach hand targeting to the other person the same way you trained him to hand target you. After doing this with enough people, your shy dog learns to approach and greet people with a touch to their hand.

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