The command to “Visit”
This is an easy and fun way to focus your dog on how to be still so someone can pet him and say Hi. While it’s not really a “trick” like fetch or shake hands, it’s quite useful, especially when you are visiting someone who has trouble with mobility, perhaps they are sitting in a chair and cannot reach down and pet your dog.
I began this trick using the command “nose”, (the later video shows I *changed the command to Visit). and then giving the treat while he has his nose on my knees. I would lure his nose to my knees, and then as soon as he set his nose down, I’d say YES and give a treat. At first I’d give him multiple treats as he kept his nose in position.
Then I would pause for just a moment, and give a treat (as long as his nose was still in position). Another very good way to teach your dog to stay in position is to count as they stay in position. I would count to 3, then treat. Then I’d advance to 4. Then 5. Gradually to 10. The point is to help your pup understand to stay in that position. While Arty doesn’t necessarily stay in the position for an indefinite amount of time, he makes a great effort to say a friendly Hello, the person he is greeting smiles and pets him, they make a little connection, and the trick has done its job!
*Training Note (TN): teach your dog the trick first, and then assign the name for it. For this trick, I rewarded him for placing his nose on my knees, then I added the command “Nose”. Later I decided I’d rather use the word “Visit”, I changed it and he picked it up. Dogs are smart!
