Toes: Service Dog Task or Helpful Behavior for Dressing/Retrieving (Patreon)

In this video I show you how to start training the task of "toes" where the dog puts their feet on your feet and remains in position until otherwise cued.

This behavior can be helpful for those with mobility impairments to get the dog close enough for grooming, dressing/undressing, grabbing something out of their backpack, or to line the dog up to give an object to a handler.

This task can also be used to interrupt dissociative behaviors, mitigate a panic attack or flashback, and potentially help ease feelings of panic or confusion when waking up from a seizure. It encourages the handler to focus on the dog.

If your dog struggles to make the jump from individual paw pads, split it further and put your feet on the individual paw pads first. 

Practice seated first. For some dogs, especially herdy breeds, getting that close into your personal space while you stand can look like looming from the dog. Get them comfortable with the behavior while you're in the seated position and then slowly raise your bum up until you're fully standing. 

The final behavior should include fluency to the point that the dog can move into "toes" position if the handler is sitting or standing, and if the dog is in any position, including moving from heel into toes position.