Starting position: Your dog is in a sit or a down, facing you, somewhere quiet where they are relaxed.
🎯Triggering the behaviour (step by step)▼
✅
Principle: The idea is to trigger your dog's natural reflex of wanting to remove something from their nose.
The stimulus
Gently place a small piece of adhesive tape on top of the nose (between the eyes and the nostrils).
The movement
Your dog will instinctively lift a paw to try to remove the annoying object.
Capturing it
The moment the paw touches or passes over the muzzle, say “Shy!” straight away.
The reward
Remove the tape (if your dog has not already done so) and give the treat immediately.
🗣️Introducing the verbal cue▼
Linking the word
Say “Shy!” (or “Shame”, “Embarrassed”) just as your dog is about to lift a paw.
Pretending
Gradually, pretend to put the tape on without actually doing it, while giving the cue.
🎓Fading the lure▼
Just your finger
Use only your finger to lightly touch the top of the nose while giving the cue.
Rewarding every attempt
Reward even a quick movement: say “Shy!” and give the treat.
Raising the criteria
Only reward if your dog keeps the paw on their nose for a second or two.
💡Final tips▼
The prop: If the adhesive tape worries your dog too much, you can simply blow gently on the nose or lightly tickle the muzzle with a feather duster.
Repetition: Do not drag out the session with the tape. 3 to 4 repetitions per session are enough.
Choice of paw: Some dogs prefer the right paw, others the left. At first, always reward the same paw to make the behaviour stable.
Patience: If your dog scratches the floor instead of their muzzle, ignore it and start again, drawing their attention more clearly to the nose.
🎓
Tip: It is a lovely trick for demonstrations! Once it is learned, you can say “Aren't you ashamed?” and your dog will hide their muzzle. Guaranteed effect.