Would Your Dog Come Back in the Middle of a Truffle Hunt?
Premier Truffles Field Notes Blog · Nose Down, Truffle Up!
Part 1 of 10 · Ten Skills for Your Dog’s First Truffle Hunt
I love watching a dog work off leash in the woods when the terrain, the rules, and the dog’s training allow it. A Lagotto with its nose down can tell me a lot about what’s happening under the forest floor. But before I give a dog that freedom, I want to know what happens when I call and there’s something far more interesting than me under that nose.
In the woods, a dog can disappear behind brush in seconds. A good recall brings your dog all the way back within reach, where you can clip on a leash or move on together. For my dogs, that return ends with a nose touch to the hand at my side. I think of it as their little parking space.
Truffo finds his parking space. The popcorn is his victory lap.
Truffo & Vita · The Star Pupil
Vita: Who’s going first?
Truffo: Me. I’m ready to touch her hand.
Vita: You’ve been practicing?
Truffo: Of course. Now, which hand has the popcorn?
Vita: Find your parking space first.
Truffo: Fine. I’ll show you why I’m the star pupil.
Teach the parking space
Start close. In a quiet room, offer your empty, open hand at nose height, a few inches from your dog. Let them investigate. The instant their nose touches your palm, say “yes,” then reward from your other hand. That “yes” marks the moment you liked. If they only watch, put your hand away briefly and offer it again a little closer. Let your dog make the contact. Once the touch is easy, gradually bring your hand into its parking-space position beside your leg. A few good repetitions are plenty.
Add the recall. Choose a short cue, such as “here” or “come,” and have everyone use the same word. Once your dog understands the hand target, take a step or two away, say your cue once in a cheerful voice, then offer that same hand as your dog approaches. Mark the touch and reward right there. Keep the reward tucked away until after the touch, so the hand itself becomes the target.
Take it outside on a long line. Build from a quiet room to an enclosed yard, then a quiet outdoor spot. I use a 15-foot BioThane line with knots every five feet as spacing markers. Clip the line to a well-fitted harness, keep it clear of feet and brush, and start with just a few feet of distance. Choose an easy moment to call, then build up to more distance or more interesting smells one at a time.
Send your dog back to the good stuff. After the touch and reward, say “go sniff” and let your dog return to exploring when it’s safe. Coming back can be a quick check-in in the middle of a good hunt.
When do you make it harder? Wait until your dog is turning toward you and coming all the way back readily over several short sessions. When you move to a new place, shorten the distance again. Success in the kitchen is a beginning; keep using the long line while you build that response outdoors.
More help with the basics: teaching a hand target and building recall gradually.
What if your dog doesn’t come?
Stay calm and resist repeating “come, come, come.” Keep hold of the long line and walk closer to help your dog reconnect with you; don’t yank or haul them in. When they return, welcome and reward them, even if they took their time. Scolding at that moment can make coming back less appealing.
For the next attempt, shorten the distance, choose a quieter spot, or wait for a pause in the sniffing. Give your dog an easier chance to get it right. Dogs Trust’s recall guide has more troubleshooting help.
Make it worth coming back for
I’ll admit it. Sometimes I use cheese balls for recall practice. Shamelessly. I don’t usually tell people that because those orange puffs are people snacks, but my dogs absolutely love them, and they’ve worked really well for me. I’ve also used popcorn, and sometimes that’s been kettle corn or truffle-butter popcorn. It’s fun to see that little wait, you brought THAT? look when they realize what I’ve got.
What I love about popcorn and cheese balls is that little bit of hang time. Kibble drops fast. A piece of popcorn seems to float for a beat, and I can see my dogs tracking it the whole way down. That little pause is part of the fun. First comes the nose touch, then comes the toss.
If you want to try the same game, a fully popped piece of plain, air-popped popcorn is an easy place to start. Another option is a small, airy puff made for dogs. Try dropping a piece from hand height first to see how it falls. I’m looking for something light enough to give the dog that extra beat to watch it land.
Further reading — AKC on popcorn for dogs and VCA on training treats.
Try it this week
Start with three to five easy repetitions in a quiet place. Practice just the hand touch if that is new; add the recall once the touch is familiar. Keep sessions brief and finish while your dog is still interested.
Once you’re ready to practice on a walk, the sequence is simple: call, nose touch, “yes,” reward, and “go sniff.” That little check-in is something you’ll use again and again in the truffle woods.
Nose down, Truffle up!
We’re celebrating the start of our Ten Skills for Your Dog’s First Truffle Hunt series with a little giveaway!
This installment’s prize: A Premier Truffles “Truffle Up!” sticker.
What treat makes your dog come running?
To enter: Comment with your answer on our Part 1 Facebook giveaway post. Prefer to answer privately? Send Premier Truffles a private message with “Part 1” and your answer.
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Entries close: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8pm Pacific.Winner drawn: Saturday, November 14, 2026.Who can enter: open to U.S. residents age 18 and older
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Nose down, Truffle up!
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