Trainers are often asked, “What behaviors should I begin teaching my dog?” Teaching your dog to touch the palm of your hand is not only very easy for beginner clicker trainers to teach, but it is also a valuable skill that has many applications. To start, training this skill teaches your dog to focus his attention on you. This can be helpful for dogs that are nervous or distracted in certain situations, such as the approach of another dog. It also teaches dogs what to do when people approach with extended hands, sometimes perceived as a threat by some dogs, as well as how to greet people politely as opposed to jumping up on them.