Instructions
General Rules to Teach Dog Tricks
Click on a website that has many tricks that your dog can learn. Two such sites are Love Your Dog and Dog Training Guide (see the Resources section). Dog training websites provide lists of tricks, as well as steps to follow and sometimes a video demonstrating the trick.
Teach your dog the trick using positive reinforcement. Dogs learn best when their good behavior is rewarded with praises or dog treats. Do not use punishment when your dog does not perform the trick correctly because this will only cause your dog to dislike and avoid trick learning.
Rest your dog after a few minutes of training, since it can get tired or frustrated from repeating a trick. Doing the same trick many times also may make your dog's muscles sore, so resting is necessary for it to continue learning.
Play with your dog at the end of the session as a reward and a break from the monotony of learning the same trick.
Shake Hands
Hold your dog's paw gently in your hand while it is sitting down.
Say "shake" while shaking your dog's paw.
Repeat until your dog learns that, when you say "shake," he's suppose to put his paw in your hand.
Beg
Hold a dog treat near your dog's face while he is sitting down.
Raise your arm up out of reach and say either "beg" or "up." When your dog is standing on his hind legs, give him the treat.
Repeat this trick, extending the amount of time before the treat is given each round.
How to Teach Your Dog to Do Impressive Tricks
Dogs often become more than just pets. Instead, they are loved members of the family. Teaching your dog to do tricks is a good way to train it, give it exercise and spend time together and play. Teaching tricks to a dog is not a simple task, and it can be frustrating when your dog doesn't listen to your instructions. Training a dog to do something is different than instructing a person, so a different approach is necessary.