Chin Rest
Positions · 12 steps · by Push Drop Stick
Your Dog will learn to rest their chin in your cupped hand and hold it there for 10 seconds for the verbal cue 'Chin'. A chin rest is a wonderful cooperative-care behavior: it gives Your Dog a calm way to hold still for eye drops, ear checks, brushing, or a look from the vet. It also works as a consent behavior: while Your Dog holds the position they are telling you they are comfortable, and lifting their chin lets them ask for a pause, so keep it happy by stopping before they feel the need to pull away.
**Chin rest on a surface:** Your Dog can also learn to rest their chin on a surface, such as a stool, a chair seat, or a rolled towel across your lap, instead of on your hand. A surface chin rest frees up both of your hands, which is a big help for eye drops, ear cleaning, nail trims, and grooming. Teach it the same way this plan teaches the hand version: reward Your Dog for lowering their chin onto the surface and holding it there, and treat a lifted head as a request to pause.
You will need soft treats.
Training steps
Touch under chin for a split second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Touch underneath Your Dog's chin for a split second, then feed a treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Touch under chin for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Touch underneath Your Dog's chin for 1 second, then feed a treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Place your hand under chin
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Cup your hand slightly and place it under Your Dog's chin so your hand rests lightly against them. Keep your hand there while you feed Your Dog a treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Grasp your hand under chin
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Cup your hand and place it under Your Dog's chin with a firmer grasp. Keep your hand there while you feed Your Dog a treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure chin onto your hand
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Hold out your cupped hand and lure Your Dog to rest their chin on it. Feed in position.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Fade the lure
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Hold out your cupped hand and wait to see if Your Dog approaches and rests their chin on it without a food lure. Feed in position from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Chin rest for 2 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Hold out your cupped hand for Your Dog to rest their chin on. When they do, count 2 seconds and feed in position.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand for 2 seconds.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Hold out a food distraction
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Cup one of your hands and hold a treat in a closed fist with the other. Present both to Your Dog and wait for them to rest their chin on your hand for 1 second before giving them the reward. Give Your Dog as much time as they need, and calmly wait out any attempts to get the treat in your fist.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Chin rest for 2 seconds despite food distraction
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Cup one of your hands and hold a treat in a closed fist with the other. Present both to Your Dog and wait for them to rest their chin on your hand for 2 seconds before giving them the treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand for 2 seconds.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Add the verbal cue
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Say the verbal cue 'Chin', then present a cupped hand for Your Dog to rest their chin on. Wait 2 seconds before feeding.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand for 2 seconds.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Chin rest for 5 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Say the verbal cue 'Chin', then present a cupped hand for Your Dog to rest their chin on. Wait 5 seconds before feeding.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand for 5 seconds.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Chin rest for 10 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Say the verbal cue 'Chin', then present a cupped hand for Your Dog to rest their chin on. Wait 10 seconds before feeding.
Success: Your Dog rests their chin on your hand for 10 seconds.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Nice work! Your Dog can now rest their chin in your hand and hold it for 10 seconds on the cue 'Chin', even with a treat in your other hand.
To make it rock solid, proof it: restart the plan on the proof steps, or play the goal games you just earned, in new places and around distractions.
Ready for more? A steady chin rest makes the grooming plans far easier, so pair it with Tooth Brushing and Nail Trimming.