What Are Some Tricks That You Can Teach Your Dog?

Teaching a dog tricks is not only enjoyable as an owner but also is helpful in dog training for obedience, listening and skills. While tricks are often considered fun, they help an owner and a pet dog learn communication, which translates to other areas of dog training. There are a wide range of tricks to teach a dog, depending on what an owner prefers.

  1. Beg

    • Beg is a trick taught to dogs to help develop the dog's balancing skills. The dog sits and then lifts its front feet off the ground to reach for a treat or item. To teach the trick, have the dog first sit and give a treat. Then work on "beg." Say "beg" and hold up the treat where the dog can see it but it is out of reach. The dog should lift its front feet off the ground. When it does, even a small amount, give the dog the treat. Gradually increase the distance from the ground until your dog receives a treat and then work on lessening treats until it begs on command.

    Kiss

    • For the affectionate dog or for the affectionate owner, telling a dog to give a kiss is one way of getting the extra attention. When a dog licks a cheek, say, "Give me a kiss." If the dog does not usually give kisses, put a small amount of peanut butter on your face, tell the dog to give a kiss and let the dog lick your face. The dog will then learn that a kiss is licking a cheek.

    Shake

    • Shake is one of the "polite" tricks for a dog and is a relatively simple trick to teach. Start with having the dog sit and then say the word "shake" before taking a paw off the ground. Give a treat. Repeat again, using the word "shake" and immediately taking a paw and giving a treat. Tell the dog to "shake" again, and it should offer the paw. When it does, take the paw, give a treat and a word of praise. When your dog is consistent in offering a paw, lessen the number of treats and use praise instead until treats are no longer necessary.

    Bowing

    • For the performance dog, the trick of taking a bow is another trick option. To teach the trick, start with a stick moving side to side. Say "bow" and when the dog follows the stick with its head or body, give the dog a treat. Next move the stick so the dog bends its front legs to follow the stick. Give a treat when the front legs bend. Gradually lengthen the bend until the dog has the front legs bent to touch the ground and the back legs straight before it gets a treat. Do not give a treat if the back legs collapse to a down position. Have the dog hold the pose for about three to five seconds before receiving a treat and then start taking away the stick until the word "bow" gets the result of a bow. Slowly ease off the treats and add more praise.