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Dog boops have become all the rage on the internet. But this booping nose gesture isnt just a way to melt the hearts of your social followers. Its also a seriously loving way to connect with your pup.
But is there a thing as too much booping? And do dogs actually like being tapped on the nose? Lets dive into the basics of dog booping so your family can find that sweet spot.
A boop, simply put, is a gentle tap on the nose. In doing so to dogs, humans like to say “boop!” aloud — though, thats certainly not a requirement. Through this fun booping nose action, you can form a deeper connection with your dog. It can also be a sweet way to greet them. You might even see your cat giving your dog a gentle boop from time to time, or vice versa!
A boop shouldnt hurt your dog, so long as youre being gentle with your approach. Just keep in mind that while your dog might enjoy this moment of connection, too much of a good thing might annoy them. Keep the booping limited to once or twice each occasion and youll both be happy to embrace it as your special “handshake” of sorts.
Be cautious of shoving your palm into the dog’s face. Let him come to the hand and do all the shoving. Don’t coach, coerce, or step toward your dog to help him. This whole exercise is about getting the dog to willingly follow your outstretched palm. Just hold it out there and wait.
Did you find these tips helpful for your and your FirstMate? For more training tips and tricks from Janine and others, check out the Training section of our blog.
The nose touch is the go to behavior for many dog trainers and performance competitors. The trainer offers the dog the flat palm of her hand and the dog excitedly nudges his nose into it. Many dogs eventually find the Nose Touch to be reinforcing even when the food rewards are faded away. Once the dog has learned this behavior well, the trainer can move away from teaching behaviors through food luring and start using the Nose Touch. Now the dog can be Nose Touch-lured into the car, onto platforms, over a scary grate in the sidewalk, onto the scale at the veterinarian’s office, onto furniture, off of furniture, and for tricks like spinning circles. The Nose Touch is frequently used for redirecting a reactive dog away from another dog or person. When the Nose Touch has been trained to reliability, it makes a great cue for a recall as your dog can see your outstretched hand from quite a distance.
Janine Allen is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviour Specialist. Check out her website here!
In this video I am working Millie, a very shy rescue dog. Eventually, I will only reward her for pushing hard into my hand instead of just sniffing. In the meantime, I have been using the Nose Touch to get her out of her kennel and out from other hiding places.
Why you should never hit a dog on the nose?
Tapping or bopping a dog on the nose can be misconstrued as playful behavior, and being too rough with your dog can actually trigger biting, reactive, or defensive behavior. You should be especially sensitive to your dog during its formative years as a puppy.
Booping my dog nose too many times compilation
You likely know your dog experiences the world through their nose. But have you ever thought about directing that nose where you want it to go? Nose targeting, often called “Touch,” is all about having your dog touch a target with the tip of their nose. And where your dog’s nose goes, their head and body follow. That makes touch incredibly useful for training everything from obedience behaviors to tricks. It can even help redirect an anxious or reactive dog. Read on to learn how to train your dog to nose target.