Sammy Video 10

🐾 Sammy’s Training Diary — Targeting Basics
Today our ARAN Animal Rescue NZ guest superstar, Sammy, learned one of my absolute favourite foundation skills: hand targeting — “touching the hand.”
Why do we teach this?
Because for many rescue dogs, especially those who are a little hand-shy or unsure about people reaching for their collar, this skill becomes pure gold. Instead of us grabbing or guiding them, they learn to move themselves towards our hand. It’s cooperative, it’s confidence-building, and it keeps everyone safe.
➡️ It helps with:
• Moving your dog around without pressure
• Building trust in hands coming towards them
• Teaching a calm, alternative greeting (instead of… leaping up at people)
• Recall training — “touch” becomes a fun, easy cue
Watching Sammy choose to bop my hand with his nose — instead of jumping all over me — is a huge win. These little moments are where rescue dogs start to feel safe, understood, and connected.
Proud of you, big guy. 💜🐾
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