Start button behavior is a concept that teaches your dog to perform a specific action that serves as a beginning, signaling their readiness or willingness to participate in an activity.
This empowers your dog, giving them a sense of control over the training or handling process. It helps reduce stress while building trust. A start button is part of cooperative care training for grooming, veterinary visits, or behavior modification techniques.
A chin rest is an easily taught start button behavior. In this technique, your dog is taught to place its chin in your hand, showing a readiness to continue with the task. If your dog lifts its chin, it signals that it needs a pause or a break.
Items needed:
treats
a marker (verbal or clicker)
Image courtesy of Hannah Brehaut, CDBC, CCUI, LSHC-S
Phase 1: Start with a Lure
The goal is for your dog's chin to rest on your palm.
Start by using a treat to guide your dog's chin towards your open palm. Hold the treat between your thumb and finger. Once your dog begins to sniff or lick the treat, slowly position it where you want your dog’s chin to rest. Release the treat when your dog relaxes and their chin is in position.
Maintain a steady hand at a height that is comfortable for your dog, typically lower than their chin to prevent them from having to reach up.
Once this behavior is repeatable several times and your dog seems relaxed, continue to the next step.
Phase 2: Mark the Behavior
Repeat the steps in phase one using your chin hand and treat hand; as soon as your dog's chin contacts your chin hand, you will mark the behavior.
Use a clicker or a verbal cue like "yes" to show that they have performed the desired behavior. (At this stage, a verbal marker is generally more effective since you will need both hands: one for luring and one for your dog to rest their chin on. If you use a clicker, you can place it under your foot to click.)
Timing is important; the marker should occur the moment their chin touches your chin hand.
After marking the behavior, quickly reward your dog with a treat.
Next, hide your chin hand behind your back and offer it below your dog’s chin without touching them.
When your dog touches your hand, mark the behavior and reward them; repeat this process three to five times.
Gradually stop hiding your chin hand behind your back and see if your dog will place their chin in your hand directly.
Phase 3: Gradually Increase Duration Over Several Days
Once your dog consistently places their chin on your hand, start increasing the duration of the chin rest before marking and rewarding. Start with a short pause (e.g., one second) and gradually lengthen the time.
Continue to build duration at a pace that suits your dog. If they lift their chin too soon, reset and try again with a slightly shorter duration.
Image courtesy of Hannah Brehaut, CDBC, CCUI, LSHC-S
Once you have introduced the chin rest, you can use it as a start button behavior. This behavior is never cued; your dog should offer the behavior voluntarily. Additionally, consider the stop button: in this scenario, your dog lifting their chin away from the chin rest serves as the stop signal. It is important to acknowledge and reward this stop behavior, and only continue the procedure if your dog offers the chin rest again.
To practice start and stop button behaviors, begin with tasks your dog enjoys, like grooming. This allows your dog to understand these behaviors in a low stress environment. Once your dog understands these concepts, you can apply them to more complex tasks, such as administering ear or eye drops or trimming nails as part of a cooperative care routine.
