Looking for one skill to work on? These AP tutorials explain how to introduce a nose target, a mat settle and a calmer mealtime routine. Choose the lesson that matches the situation you want to practise.
A nose target: touching a hand on cue
Teaching a Comfortable Nose Target starts with a voluntary nose touch to an empty hand. The tutorial covers when to reward, when to add a cue and how to build from a familiar target to small changes in position.
A mat settle: somewhere to rest
Teaching a Puppy to Settle on a Mat walks through introducing the mat, rewarding relaxed behaviour and adding a release cue. Start here if you want a clear resting place to practise at home before working around more distractions.
Mealtimes: a routine beyond the table
Teaching Your Dog to Settle During Meals combines a resting place with a household plan for food and attention. It also explains why practice away from the dinner table belongs in the routine.
Choose your next lesson
For a longer programme, compare the approaches and intended readers in AP’s service-dog training book guide. For lessons organised by topic, visit the Training Library.