Tell Me A Secret
Psst! Tell Me a Secret is one of those tricks that looks adorable but is built on a simple skill — nose targeting.
In this tutorial, I walk you through how I teach the trick using shaping, starting with a clear hand target and gradually moving that target up to the ear. The focus is on clean criteria, thoughtful progression, and building the behaviour in a way that feels comfortable and intentional for both dog and handler.
I also cover easy setup options — sitting, standing, using a chair or platform — along with a small-dog add-on using a paws-up position. Same skill, same criteria… just a different picture.
Short sessions, lots of success, and a trick that’s as expressive as it is precise.
Training Methods Used
Shaping
Luring (Optional)
What You’ll Need
Small treats your dog loves
Enough open space for your dog to move comfortably
Your clicker or “yes!” marker
Chair or platform (optional)
Before You Start
Choose which ear you want your dog to tell the secret in.
How to Teach It
Start with your dog in front of you.
Present your cupped hand to your dog and mark for contact. The goal is for your dog to target your plan with the side of their face or muzzle.
Once the hand target is consistent, slowly move your hand closer to your ear, inch by inch.
Add your cue once your dog is reliably moving to your hand at your ear.
Build duration last by delaying your marker slightly, working up to 1–2 seconds of steady contact.
Optional Paws Up Addition:
Teach a paws-up position on your lap, a chair, or a platform.
Once paws-up is comfortable, reintroduce your hand target at an easy height.
Reinforce clear nose contact from the paws-up position.
Gradually move your hand toward your ear as before.
Build duration last, keeping the criteria the same.
Troubleshooting
Keep sessions short and reset between repetitions to maintain clean reps.
If your dog targets your face instead of your hand, tighten your criteria and reinforce smaller, more precise contact.
If your dog hesitates near your head, move the target back slightly and rebuild confidence before progressing.
Build location first, then duration — adding both at once often leads to frustration.
Use a chair, platform, or paws-up position if your dog needs help reaching ear level.
If duration falls apart, shorten the time and reinforce sooner before trying again.
