If you’ve clicker-trained your dog already, you can use a ball-point pen or another item that makes a similar noise to a clicker, if you need to. You can also use a verbal marker like “Good” or “Good dog” rather than using a clicker, as long as you do it consistently. Make sure to either click or say your verbal marker every time the dog does what it’s supposed to, and before you give the dog a treat.
Praise the dog for any touch, as long as it’s deliberate and it’s not any behavior that you consider rude, like nipping or gnawing on your hand.
Keeping the training sessions relatively short will help your dog stay interested. If the dog starts to get frustrated or lose interest, cut the training session short and try again a few hours later.
As the dog gets the hang of hand targeting, give it a challenge by moving your hand slightly just before the dog touches it.
Sticky notes make a great target because the adhesive makes it easy to transition from targeting your hand to, eventually, the door. However, if you’d prefer to use a different target, that’s fine, as long as you use the same object consistently. [6] X Research source At this point, it’s helpful to practice your training sessions near the door you want the dog to close.
Over the course of your training, gradually move the target so you’re holding with the tips of your fingers, rather than in the palm of your hand. Once the dog consistently nudges the target, you can try moving the target to the door.
You may also want to toss the treat a little away from the door so the dog has to deliberately return to the target each time.
Even though the door is shut at first, it’s better to pick one spot on the door for the target and use it consistently. By placing the target at the edge of the door, it will be easier for the dog to close it. Continue with the same pattern of training—10 repetitions several times a day for 3-5 days until the dog is consistently touching the target on the door. If at any point the dog doesn’t seem to understand what’s going on, go back to the previous training for a few days.
Consider putting a towel between the door and the frame so it doesn’t slam shut, which might startle the dog.
As you do this, gradually move farther from the door, but continue to give the verbal command consistently.
This step can take a little patience, but continue consistently working with the dog several times a day until it seems comfortable. Leave the target on the door until you’re sure the dog knows that it is supposed to close the door.
For instance, if you used a sticky note, you could cut it in half before a training session. Try a few sessions with the note that size, then cut it in half again. Keep doing this until the target is so small that you can just remove it.
