How to Teach a Puppy Tricks

The first thing you need to teach your puppy is to sit on command. The easiest way to do this is to hold a treat in your hand above your puppies head. When he leans his head back to get the treat he will sit his bottom on the ground. Once he is sitting give him lots of praise and the treat. Repeat this frequently to ensure that your puppy has mastered this step before moving on.

After your puppy has mastered sitting on command you can move to teaching your puppy to shake hands. You need to select your command for this trick. It could be shake or say hi. Whatever you choose is fine just use it consistently. To teach this trick have your puppy sit and then take his paw with one hand while saying the command and had him the treat with the other. Puppies usually learn this trick quickly. Repeat frequently before moving on to more training.

Now you need to teach your dog how to lay down on command. To teach this trick take a treat in your hand. Have your dog sit and then place the treat on the floor in front of him with your hand on top of the treat. He will lean his head down and forward to get the treat and will lay down automatically. Give him the treat and lots of praise.

Now that your puppy will lay down on command you can teach him to roll over. With your puppy laying down put a treat in your hand in front of his nose. Move your hand in the direction your want him to roll. Once he rolls over give him the treat and lots of praise. Then practice rolling the other direction.