Let’s Talk About Lure Hands – unlock a whole new level of communication

Let’s talk about lure hands… and why they’re WAY more important than most people realise.

Ever feel like your dog will only follow your hand if there’s food in it?
You go to guide them into a position or movement, and if the treat isn’t there—they’re like, “nah, not worth it.”
Totally normal. Totally fixable.

Here’s the thing: the goal is for your dog to follow your hand because they understand it as a cue—not just because they smell chicken.

A well-taught lure hand is more than just a way to get your dog into position. It becomes:

• A visual target they’ve learned to follow
• A guide to help teach new skills
• A bridge between luring and shaping
• A way to add flow to behaviours in both pet training and sports

  It’s simple, subtle, and totally underused.

  So how do you teach it?
  Start with food in your hand. Let your dog follow it. Reward them for staying with you. Then gradually remove the food and reward from the other hand. Over time, your hand becomes the cue—not the cookie.

  And suddenly, you’ve unlocked a whole new level of communication.

  Whether you’re training for obedience, agility, or just want your dog to move with you more confidently—don’t skip the lure hand work.
  It might look basic, but it’s one of those sneaky foundational skills that makes everything smoother down the line.

  Train smart. Start simple. Build brilliance.