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Touch Pads

Teach your dog to use a raised target for body awareness, clean positions, and better focus—useful for everyday manners and sport.

Overview 

Touch pads are small raised targets (foam/rubber discs or low platforms). Teaching your dog to stand with front or back feet on the pad builds rear-end awareness, confidence, and precise positions for everyday life and sport. Pads give your dog a clear “X marks the spot” so starts, stops, and “go to place” are simple and repeatable.

Topics

Key Benefits & Features

  • Rear-end awareness: Dogs learn where their back feet are—huge for tidy sits, stands, and heel position.

  • Clean positions: Consistent start/stop points for heel, sit-stay, and place.

  • Distance targeting: Send to a spot (“Go to mark/Place”), then add duration and distractions.

  • Confidence & focus: New textures and tiny challenges build bravery and attention.

  • Easy to generalize: Swap pad types and locations to take the skill anywhere.

Training Phases & Steps (simple, step-by-step)

Setup: A non-slip pad about dinner-plate size; small treats; non-retractable leash. Train on carpet/rubber mat or grass.

Teaching — Front Feet On (FFO)

  1. Explore: Place the pad down. Mark “Yes!” and treat for any interest (look/sniff/touch).

  2. Shape: Lure a tiny step so one, then two front paws land on the pad → mark → treat on the pad.

  3. Name it: When consistent, add a cue (e.g., “Front” or “Pad”) as your dog steps up.

  4. Hold: Ask for a 1–3s stillness before release (“Okay/Break”). Mark/reward on the pad.

Advance when: Your dog trots to the pad and plants front feet confidently on cue.

Teaching — Back Feet On (BFO) (optional but powerful)

  1. Back onto pad: With front feet on floor and pad behind, step forward with your body to encourage the dog to back up so back paws land on the pad. Mark/reward.

    • Alternate: Use a low platform and walk the front feet off so the rear lands and stays.

  2. Name it: Add a distinct cue (e.g., “Back” or “Feet”) to avoid confusion with front-feet work.

  3. Tiny holds: Build 1–2s duration, then release.

Reinforcing — Duration, Angles & Mini-Distance

  1. Duration: Grow holds to 3–5s with calm rewards.

  2. Angles: Approach from left/right/diagonals; mark clean landings.

  3. Mini-distance: Take 1–2 steps away, cue the pad, and reward when your dog targets it.

Proofing — Surfaces, Places & Distractions

  1. New pads: Try different textures, sizes, colors.

  2. Locations: Kitchen, garage mat, yard, sidewalk (grippy spot).

  3. Distractions: Mild movement, a person nearby, toy on the ground.

  4. Distance sends: Build to 3–5–10 ft, then add simple chains (e.g., Pad → Sit/Stand → Release).

Maintenance — Make It Useful

  1. Use the pad as a station/marker in daily life.

  2. Pair with obedience: Pad → Sit/Down/Stand, or Pad → Heel start.

  3. Sprinkle easy reps weekly; jackpot great choices to keep enthusiasm high.

Your Role at Home

  • Keep sessions 3–5 minutes; finish on a win.

  • Reward on the pad (low and calm) so your dog wants to stay there.

  • Use distinct cues for front vs. back feet.

  • Gradually change one variable at a time (duration or distance or distraction).

Who It’s For

  • Puppies and adults needing body control and confidence.

  • Families wanting cleaner heel position and reliable “place.”

  • Dogs prepping for agility/obedience/focus games or just better manners at home.

Quick Start Checklist

  • Pad that won’t slide; treats ready.

  • Day 1 goal: Front feet on with 1–2s hold.

  • Day 2–3: Add a cue, vary angle, and start mini-distance.

  • End each session with a cheerful release and a break.

Best Practices (Do / Don’t)

Do Why it helps
Mark the instant paws land. Clear timing speeds learning.
Pay on the pad and low. Reinforces stillness and staying.
Change one variable at a time. Keeps confidence high.
Use distinct cues (Front vs. Back). Prevents mix-ups.
Keep sessions short. Avoids frustration/fatigue.
Don’t What to do instead
Don’t train on slick floors. Use mats/grass; add pad grippers.
Don’t push/pull paws into place. Shape steps; let your dog choose.
Don’t hover food far from the pad. Reward on the target.
Don’t rush to tiny pads. Start larger; shrink as skills improve.
Don’t jump to chaos too soon. Win easy reps, then add distractions.

Everyday Examples

  • Heel start/stop: Dog places front feet on pad at your left seam; you step off cleanly into heel, then return to a tidy stop.

  • Doorway manners: Send to pad near the door; add sit and wait while you open/close.

  • Place at distance: Cue from 6–10 ft, then add duration while you chat or prep food.

Common Questions & Answers

What if my dog won’t step on the pad?
Mark and reward any interaction first (look/sniff). Lure small steps so one paw, then two land. Use higher-value treats and a comfy, non-wobbly pad.

Should I use the same pad every time?
Start with one consistent pad to teach the concept. Once your dog understands, rotate pads and locations to generalize the skill.

Can I do this with puppies?
Absolutely. Keep pads low and stable, sessions very short, and reward calm, confident steps.

How long should my dog stay on the pad?
Begin with 1–3 seconds, then grow to 5–10+ depending on the task (e.g., door manners vs. sport drills).

Troubleshooting

  • Dog lies down on the pad: Only pay standing front feet (or the target you want). Reset, shorten session, and reward quicker.

  • Sliding pad: Move to rubber mat/carpet; add non-slip underlay.

  • Paw pecking/tapping: Pay calm stillness; feed slower, lower; add a brief count before the mark.

  • Avoids new textures: Start with a favorite mat, then layer in new pads; jackpot brave steps.

  • Back-feet confusion: Train front feet to fluency first. Use a different cue and setup for back-feet work and keep pads low.

Safety & Gear

  • Non-slip surface and stable pad (no wobble).

  • Pad size matched to your dog (start larger).

  • Stop if your dog shows discomfort; for health concerns, consult your veterinarian.

  • Avoid over-repetition on hard floors—mix in soft surfaces.

Glossary

  • Front Feet On (FFO): Dog’s front paws stand on the pad.

  • Back Feet On (BFO): Dog’s rear paws stand on the pad.

  • Generalization: Performing the skill on new pads/places.

  • Criteria: The exact goal you’re rewarding (e.g., “both front paws, 3s hold”).

  • Marker: A quick “Yes!” (or click) to pinpoint success.

Touch pads turn “stand somewhere around here” into a clear “stand right here.” They build confidence, rear-end awareness, and crisp positions that make daily life—heel, door manners, place—easier. Start on a stable, non-slip surface, reward calm front feet on, then explore back feet and distance sends. Keep sessions short, change one variable at a time, and you’ll see cleaner cues and a dog that loves having a clear job.