Teach Your Dog To Kiss On Cue (And Stop Unwanted Slobbering)

Before you start your training session, it’s best to have everything you need on hand. The good news is, you don’t need any fancy equipment! This trick is all about timing, patience, and tasty rewards.

Here’s your pre-training checklist:

• High-Value Treats: These should be small, soft, and extra delicious—something your dog absolutely loves but doesn’t get all the time. Think tiny pieces of cheese, chicken, or special training treats.
• A Clicker (Optional): If you use a clicker in your training, have it ready! A clicker helps you mark the exact moment your dog does the right thing, making communication crystal clear. If you don’t use one, a verbal marker like a happy “Yes!” works perfectly.
• A Target: You’ll need something to put a tiny dab of a dog-safe, lickable treat on. A sticky note, a small piece of tape, or even your own hand or cheek (using something like a dab of cream cheese or peanut butter) will work.
• A Quiet Space: Choose a comfortable area with minimal distractions where you and your dog can focus on each other.
• A Positive Attitude: Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes is plenty) and always end on a positive note. This should be a fun game for both of you!

Ready for the fun part? We’ll break this down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Remember to go at your dog’s pace and celebrate the small wins!

1. Prepare Your Target: Take your target (like a sticky note) and put a tiny, lickable smear of something delicious on it, like peanut butter or plain yogurt.
2. Introduce the Target: Hold the sticky note out to your dog. Naturally, they will move towards it to sniff and lick the treat. The very instant their nose or tongue touches the note, click your clicker (or say “Yes!”) and give them a separate, high-value treat from your other hand. The treat on the note is the lure, not the reward. Repeat this several times.
3. Move the Target: Once your dog is eagerly touching the note, start holding it next to your cheek. When they touch the note, click/”Yes!” and reward. You’re teaching them to associate touching a target near your face with getting a reward.
4. Fade the Target: Now, hold the plain sticky note (with no treat on it) to your cheek. Your dog, having learned the game, should still touch it. When they do, click/”Yes!” and reward generously! After a few successful tries, remove the sticky note entirely and simply point to your cheek. When they touch their nose to your cheek, they get a click/”Yes!” and a jackpot of treats!
5. Add the Verbal Cue: Once your dog is reliably touching your cheek on cue, it’s time to name the behavior. Right before you point to your cheek, say your chosen cue word, like “Kiss,” “Gimme a smooch,” or “Besito.” When they perform the action, click/”Yes!” and reward. Practice this until they respond to the verbal cue alone, without the hand signal.

Expert Tip: Keep the ‘kiss’ gentle. If your dog gets too excited or uses teeth, simply say “Oops!” and briefly withdraw your attention. Reward only the soft, gentle nose boops or licks.

A kiss on cue is cute, but a non-stop lick-fest isn’t. Teaching an ‘off switch’ is just as important as teaching the trick itself. This command helps your dog understand boundaries for all types of licking, not just the cued ‘kiss’.

Teaching ‘All Done’ or ‘Enough’:

1. Let the Licking Happen (Briefly): The next time your dog starts licking you (outside of a training session), let it happen for a second or two.
2. Give the Cue and Withdraw: Calmly say your cue, such as “Enough” or “All Done,” and immediately (but gently) stand up and walk away or pull your hand away. You are removing the thing they want: you! Don’t push them or scold them; simply remove the opportunity to lick.
3. Wait for a Pause: Stay turned away for a few seconds. When your dog stops trying to lick and offers a different behavior (like sitting or just standing calmly), turn back and reward them with calm praise or a gentle pat.
4. Practice Proactively: You can also practice this with a lickable toy like a stuffed Kong. Let them lick it for a bit, say “Enough,” and offer them a super high-value treat in exchange for leaving the toy. This teaches them that stopping the licking results in something wonderful.

Consistency is key. Everyone in the household should use the same cue and method. Soon, your dog will learn that ‘Enough’ means the reward comes from stopping the licking, not from continuing it.

Sometimes training doesn’t go exactly as planned. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal! Here are some common issues and how to solve them.

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  My dog is too slobbery or uses teeth!

  This usually comes from over-excitement. If the ‘kiss’ is too wet or nippy, immediately say “Oops!” and briefly turn your head away. Only reward the gentlest of nose-to-cheek touches. You are shaping the behavior to be exactly what you want. Keep sessions short to prevent them from getting too worked up.

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  My dog isn’t interested in the target.

  The treat on the target might not be enticing enough. Try something with a stronger smell, like a tiny bit of fishy cat food or cream cheese. Also, make sure your training sessions are when your dog is a little hungry and motivated, not right after a big meal.

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  My dog licks me constantly, even when I’m not training.

  This is where the ‘Enough’ cue is your best friend. Be incredibly consistent with it. It’s also worth considering why they are licking. Sometimes it’s a sign of anxiety or boredom. Ensure your dog is getting enough physical exercise and mental stimulation, like puzzle toys or scent work, to keep their brain busy.