Creative Dog Tricks

Many dog breeds are extremely smart and you can tap into their intelligence by teaching them tricks. Once you've gotten past the standard sit, lay down, fetch and shake hands, there are plenty more tricks you can teach. Your dog will love pleasing you when it learns the trick and you will have fun teaching it. Plus, you will have be able to show off to your friends.

  1. Back Kick

    • Teach your dog to kick its back leg into the air on command. The dog needs to be standing when you teach it the trick. Hold a treat, or a piece of dog food, in front of it and tell it to "kick" or "back kick." It's important that you use the same word every time. At first, you will have to pick the dog's leg up for it and then give it the treat. After doing this for a while, simply tap the dog on the leg while saying "back kick." Eventually, the dog will kick up his leg simply in response to the command.

    Turn Around

    • Turning around is a cute dog trick that is easy for dogs to learn. With the dog standing, hold a treat over its head. When you have the dog's attention, move the treat in a large circle with your arm, saying, "turn around" or "spin." The dog will want the treat, so it will follow it with its head. When you make a big enough circle, the dog will have to spin around. Give it the treat and enthusiastically congratulate the dog when it does the trick right. After some practice, it will learn to spin around on command.

    Sneeze

    • Teach your pet to sneeze on command using a feather or something soft to tickle its nose. Every time it sneezes, say "sneeze." Pretty soon, the dog will sneeze on its own without the help of the feather. Some dogs may not like being tickled on their noses, so don't do this trick if the dog seems uncomfortable. The trick should be fun for dog and owner.

    Balance

    • Teach your dog to balance a book on its head. Start out by choosing a book that is not too heavy and that fits well on the dog's head between its ears. At first, have the dog sit and place the book on its head, holding onto it. Then, telling the dog to stay, slowly remove your hands. Let the book sit there for a couple seconds, and reward the dog with a treat for being so still. Slowly lengthen the time that the book stays on the dog's head and start moving away from the dog while it balances. Eventually, the dog should be able to walk a few steps with the book on its head. This may take a while, so be patient.