Trick - Hide Your Eyes

[Wooferhound]

1) With your dog sitting in front of you, gently place the end of his lead over his nose (please ensure that the handle end is loose and will not cause any discomfort, if in doubt, use something that can be looped that isn’t too heavy or tight).

2) Ask your dog to ‘wait’ and slowly take your hands away from his face so that you can get your treat readily. Then give him your release command, allowing him to try to remove the item you have placed on his nose.

3) As soon as he lifts his paw to brush the item away, praise and reward him. Continue to click for each wipe of the paw until the item is removed. Repeat until your dog understands the movement you want and then add in the verbal commands such as ‘wipe’ or ‘face’ before you praise. Practise until your dog produces the move from the verbal cue alone. Build up the time your dog holds his paw in position by withholding the praise or commanding him to ‘wait’.

* If your dog finds this move tricky, try teaching it from the down position. Your dogs’ paws are then closer to his nose and for some dogs this can be easier.