Everyone likes hugs and kisses, right? Having your dog trained
to give hugs and kisses on command can be a fun (and
comforting) activity for you and your dog.
In addition to learning a bonding activity, teaching these
commands to your pup can be useful because (believe it or not)
there are some people who do not enjoy slobbery dog kisses. By
training your dog to โKissโ on command, you will avoid having
him indiscriminately kiss everyone he meets โ whether they like
it or not.
Just like people, some dogs are natural kissers and huggers,
while others might need some encouragement to display such
affection.
Command 13 โ "Kiss" and "Snuggle"
"Kiss" tells your dog to lick your hand
or face.
Teaching Method โ "Kiss"
Step 1: By now, you know your puppyโs
personality pretty well and you know if he is a natural
โkisser.โ If kissing comes naturally to him and he offers the
behavior readily, an easy way to begin training the โKissโ
command is to simply say โKoko Kissโ as heโs heading your way
with a gleam in his eye and his tongue at the ready. As you are
being licked, say, โYes! Good Kiss Koko!โ When you determine
the kissing has lasted long enough, you can ask him for an
alternate behavior to stop the kissing, such as โKoko
Sit!โ
Step 2: Once he is in a controlled position,
you can repeat the โKissโ command and encourage him toward your
hand or face by pointing to or tapping where you would like a
kiss planted. As always, if he is thinking about it and
sniffing your hand or face, encourage him with โThatโs It,
Kiss,โ and once he does say, โYes! Good Kiss Koko!โ followed by
an alternate command to stop the kiss-fest, like โSit.โ
Step 3: If your puppy is a standoff-ish kind
of guy, you may need to up the ante to encourage him to kiss
your hand or face. Adding a dab of something your dog loves to
your hand or face will certainly inspire him to come give it a
try. Depending on your comfort zone, you can try a dab of
peanut butter, doggie toothpaste, or any other similar
substance can be used to peak your puppyโs interest in kissing.
Please note the word โdabโ โ it is not necessary to smear the
substance all over your hands or face โ a little dab will do
ya! As your pup learns the โKissโ command, you can wean him off
relying on a substance to lick.
Step 4: As your puppy becomes more familiar
and comfortable with the โKissโ command, you can alternate
spots where you would like to be kissed โ your hand, your face,
your arm, your leg -- any place you point to can be a good spot
to plant a kiss. Also practice โKissโ in different rooms of
your house and while you are out and about.
Step 5: Now you can enlist the assistance of
other kiss-friendly people. Be sure you are the person giving
the command to โKissโ and indicating where your puppy should
kiss (the other personโs hand, face, etc.). You should also be
the one to end the kissing by giving an alternate command. If
your puppy is a shy guy and reluctant to kiss strangers,
starting with a less intimate body part such as a hand will
make it easier for him to comply.
Teaching Method โ โSnuggleโ
The โSnuggleโ command tells your dog that you are going to hug
him. Your part of the command is the hugging. Your dogโs part
of the command is to stay still and quiet while allowing the
hug.
Step 1: Start with your puppy in a sit. As you
reach for your hug, you should say โKoko Snuggleโ as you gently
give him a short hug. As you are hugging and he is staying
still and quiet, reinforce by calmly and quietly saying โYes,
Good Snuggle.โ Try to keep your voice soothing and your energy
level calm โ you want him to stay quiet and enjoy the hug, not
get excited and active.
Step 2: If your puppy gets excited or starts
to pull away, correct him with a calm and quiet โNo. Stay.
Snuggle.โ At first, keep your hugs short, ending the hug before
your puppy wants to. As he becomes used to being hugged, you
can extend the length of your hugs.
Step 3: Once he knows the โSnuggleโ command,
you can enlist the assistance of other people to hug your
puppy, again starting with short hugs, while you give the
command.
The โKissโ and โSnuggleโ commands are fun to teach and can help
deepen the bond between you and your dog. No matter what your
mood is, a nice โKissโ and a cuddly โSnuggleโ can be comforting
and brighten your whole day.
How to Teach Your Dog to Jump On and Off
Commands that will let you tell your dog to โJump Onโ or โOffโ
any object you designate are useful and back-saving commands.
The โJump Onโ command will enable you to place your dog
wherever you wish without lifting, tugging, pushing, pulling,
or cajoling. Combined with the opposite command of โOffโ, you
will have the resources to position your dog on any available
surface, and get them off it, with only a word or two.
Command 14a and 14b - โJump Onโ and โOffโ
โJump Onโ means that your dog should leap onto an object with
all four feet, such as a grooming box, a piece of furniture, or
some other flat surface. A backless park bench will also work.
โOffโ means that your dog must put his four feet back on the
floor (and not on an object or a person).
Teaching Method:
Step 1: Prepare
for training the โJump Onโ and โOffโ commands by having
available a sturdy, steady item for your dog to jump on to. It
should be large enough for him to be able to stand, sit, and
lay down on. If you have one, a grooming box is ideal and
makes grooming a pleasant and comfortable activity for both you
and your dog. Or you can use another flat surface in your home
for this purpose.
Step 2a: With the grooming box or other furniture
in place, your dog on a leash, and treats at the ready, walk
your dog toward the box. As you approach, tell him, โJunior,
Jump On.โ You can tap the top of the box to direct his
attention where you want him to go or lure him with a bit of a
treat. Be patient and remember to encourage him with โThatโs
It! Jump On!โ for making an effort and trying to do as you
ask.
Step 2b: Once he
does jump on, praise with, โYes! Good Jump On!โ and give him a
treat. Remind him to โStayโ if he tries to hop off. While he is
up there, make it a happy time. Smile, pet him, brush him
gently, and feed him a treat or two. You want him to enjoy
going where you ask.
Step 3: After a
few minutes on the surface, you can tell him, โJunior Off.โ Be
sure he does not hop off before you fully give the command. If
he starts to move off prematurely, you can say โNo. Stay,โ and
then wait a few seconds before calmly giving the โOffโ command
again. As you say โOff,โ you can look in the direction you
would like him to go and/or point with a sweeping motion of
your arm toward the floor to get him moving in the right
direction. As he hops off smile, treat, and praise, โYes! Good
Off Junior!โ
Step 4a: You can
reinforce the โโJump Onโ and โOffโ commands by approaching from
different directions and moving the box to a different location
(different rooms, inside/outside, etc.). Once your dog has a
good idea of the โJump Onโ and โOffโ commands using the first
surface or piece of furniture, try using different objects to
jump on and off of. Things such as beds and other furniture,
large flat rocks, low walls or walkways โ all can be used to
practice the "Jump On" and "Off" commands in fun and inventive
ways that will help keep your dog interested and willing to try
whatever you ask.
Step 4b: As you
change โJump Onโ scenarios, remember to stay patient and
encouraging by using, โThatโs It! Jump On,โ as your dog works
through the process in different situations. Make jumping on
and off a fun activity and soon he will be hopping up on
whatever you choose and just as happily hopping off at your
slightest command.
Whether itโs a quick snuggle on the bed before sleep or a
pleasant grooming session, the โJump Onโ command, and its
partner command, โOff,โ can be used to maneuver your dog
wherever you wish, no matter what size he is โ and surely your
back will thank you!
Last Weekโs Lesson
Teaching Your Dog "Show Belly"
Next Week's Lesson
Teach Your Dog to "Jump On" and
"Off"
Back to 20 Dog Commands You
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All training tips in this series
are from ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities), a
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