How to Get My Dog to Weave Between My Legs

Whether your dog is a pedigreed hound or a scruffy, smart mutt, you may be able to teach it the clever trick of "weave heeling" to impress friends and family. If the dog gets good enough, it may even graduate toward weaving through poles as a competitor in dog agility competitions. However you want to showcase your pet's talent, you need to first pique its interest with a handful of tasty treats.

Things You'll Need

  • Healthy, bite-sized dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold a treat for your dog in both of your hands. Ensure the dog knows you have treats by either showing it your hands or waving the treats in front of its nose so it recognizes the scent.

    • 2

      Stand with your hands behind your back with the dog facing you, and ensure you have enough room in front of you to move forward several steps.

    • 3

      Take a big step forward with your right leg only and ensure that the gap is big enough for your dog to comfortably fit through your legs.

    • 4

      Move your right hand down the back of your right leg slowly. Bring the treat toward the center of your legs, while saying a word such as "weave" to the dog. Draw the dog between your legs toward the treat.

    • 5

      Draw the treat in your right hand back in front of the dog and around your right leg toward the front of your body. When the dog has followed the treat between your legs and back to the front, lift up your right hand away from the dog's nose and reach your left hand through from the back of your legs to tempt the dog.

    • 6

      Begin the process again with the treat in your left hand, drawing the dog through the legs and around the left leg this time, and saying "weave" again. Praise it and give it the treat once it follows the instructions correctly.

    • 7

      Repeat these steps together a few times, rewarding the dog for each successful figure eight it makes. When it becomes accustomed to the weaving it needs to do to get the food, begin standing up straighter and holding the food higher. Phase out the hand movements once it stops following the treat and weaving on its own.

    • 8

      Walk more than two steps in a row once the dog is used to the weaving motion, and reward it after four or more steps instead of after it completes just one figure eight.

    • 9

      Phase out the food reward when the dog has learned the command "weave." Indicate to the dog that it should weave: say "weave" and move your right foot forward in preparation for walking.