Tricks for Dogs

Once your dog has mastered basic training, such as toilet training and obedience training you can move to training your dog to do a number of tricks. Dogs of any age can be taught to perform tricks if they are taught correctly using positive reinforcement techniques. Teaching your dog tricks can also help to strengthen the bond between you and your pet, and like any type of dog training it requires consistency, patience and lots of repetition to be effective.

  1. Roll Over

    • Train your dog to roll over on a soft surface, such as an area of grass or carpet. Begin by telling your dog to lie down. Hold a treat, such as a small piece of cheese or chicken in front of the dog's nose and move your hand back toward the dog's torso. Wait for the dog's nose to follow the treat and continue to move your hand across the dog's body, encouraging the dog to complete the roll. Reward the dog by giving him the treat and praising him. Repeat the exercise and say the words "roll over" as the dog carries out the action. Eventually the dog will roll over when he hears the command alone.

    Shake Paw

    • Teach your dog to shake hands by first getting her to sit. Sit in front of her and hold out your hand with the palm facing upward. Wait for your dog to lift his paw off the ground and immediately reward him with a treat and a lot of praise. It may take a while for the dog to lift his paw but you can lift the dog's paw yourself the first time if he is not doing it by himself. Repeat the exercise several times before adding the word "shake" as he lifts his paw. Eventually the dog will lift his paw when he hears the command.

    Play Dead

    • Place a treat on the ground to get your dog to lie down without using the "lie down" command. Hold a second treat in front of the dog's nose and move your hand back across the dog's shoulder. As you do this, his nose should follow the treat and he should roll over onto his side. Once he is in this position praise him and reward him with the treat. Repeat the exercise, this time making the dog wait for the treat for a slightly longer period of time before rewarding him. Now repeat the exercise and say the word "bang" as the dog lies down on his side. When the dog has learned to associate the action with the command, you can have fun with this trick by forming a pretend gun with your fingers and pointing it at him as you say "bang."

    Jump Through a Hoop

    • Get your dog to jump through a hoop by holding a hoop between the dog and your hand, which is holding a treat. Encourage the dog to come through the hoop and reward her with the treat and lots of praise. Once the dog becomes accustomed to walking through the hoop practice the exercise again with the hoop raised slightly up off the ground. Encourage the dog to come through the hoop and reward her with a treat. You can begin to add the word "hoop" as the dog passes through the hoop, and you can continue to raise the hoop higher off the ground.