DOG TRICK: Teaching Nose to Book

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If you’re an avid book reader, this trick is for you. Now you can curl up on the couch and BOTH settle in on reading a book.

By Laura Pakis, Certified Dog Trainer and Professional Blogger,

If you’re an avid book reader, this trick is for you. Now you can curl up on the couch and BOTH settle in on reading a book.

What You Will Need

Great treats
Book
Your dog

Getting Started

I like teaching this trick with very few distractions so find a secluded area, and let’s get started.

Step One

It is important to teach your dog to target or “touch” the book.

Put treats in one hand or in a treat bag or your pocket. With the opposite hand, open a book wide with your fingers to the side and put it in front of your dog’s face. When your dog touches his nose to the book or sniffs at the book, praise and treat. Continue opening and closing the book, praise and treat when your dog makes contact with the page.

Step Two

Keep doing Step One until your dog knows what he has to do to get you to praise, now you may add the command “Book.”

Step Three

Next hold the book higher up, over to the left, the right or in front of you. Your dog should follow the book wherever it is and touch it with his nose on command. If at first he has trouble understanding when you move the book, go back a step and be patient.

Once your dog’s confidence is built and he understands the command you can have him repeat the behavior a few times before treating, then you can taper off the treats.

Now that you’ve taught your dog to “read”, why not teach him to read letters. Here’s a link to do this: http://www.dogchatforum.com/teach-dog-to-read.htm

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