How to Teach your Dog Tricks
You’ve completed basic obedience training but you’d like your dog to be better than that! You want your dog to be the envy of all the other dog owners out there by teaching him some cool tricks. Every dog has the smarts to learn cool tricks, it’s just a matter of the owner being patient enough to teach them. In this article, you’ll learn how to teach your dog tricks.
Spin
Put a treat in your hand and let your dog see it. Hold it just out of his reach and turn your dog in a circle, saying “Spin!” Once he’s gone all the way around, give him the treat and say “Good spin!” Eventually you will be able to do this without a treat. After that, you can do it by simply giving the command and twirling your finger.
Don’t look!
This trick is adorable. When you say, “Don’t look!” your dog will cover his eyes with his paw. To train this, say “Don’t look!” and blow a little air at your dog’s face. This will cause him to duck his head and wipe at his face with his paw. Praise this behavior! After a while, you’ll be able to just say “Don’t look!” without blowing in his face.
Play Dead
If your dog already knows the command “Down” you can push it one step further and teach him “Play Dead.” Put your dog in the down position and check to see what side he favors. Most dogs will lean to one side or another when laying down. Gently push your dog over and say “Play Dead!” If he rolls on his back, scratch his belly and praise him, saying, “Good Play Dead!” Move to giving the command “Down” followed by “Play Dead.” Eventually you will be able to say “Play Dead” when your dog is in a standing position.
Roll Over
Once your dog knows how to play dead, you can teach him to roll over. When your dog is in play dead position, use a treat to get him to roll back over and on to his feet. When he rolls over, praise him and give him the treat. Eventually, with some time and patience, you will be able to get your dog to do a full Roll Over from a standing position.
Shake Hands
This is an easy one. When your dog is sitting, give the command “Shake hands” and take your dog’s paw in your hand. Praise him. Once your dog makes the connection, he’ll lift his paw and put it into your hand on command.
Wave
This is an extension of “Shake hands.” When your dog is sitting, give the command “Shake hands wave” and hold your hand higher than usual so your dog has to reach up with his paw. Don’t let him contact your hand with his paw. Praise him for trying to get his paw that high. This will confuse your dog at first, but eventually he’ll begin to associate “Wave” with putting his paw up high. What a cute trick to have your dog wave goodbye to houseguests!
