How to Teach a Dog Some Really Cool Tricks

Dogs are bright, intelligent creatures that have the ability to be trained, to learn and to adapt. Use this natural ability and teach your dog a few entertaining and amazing tricks that will keep your friends and family laughing. These tricks can be taught to any breed, young and old, and you don't need to be a master dog trainer to use these methods.

Things You'll Need

  • peanut butter
  • dog treats
  • towel
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Instructions

  1. Kiss

    • 1

      Place a dollop of peanut butter on your cheek.

    • 2

      Bring your dog up close to your face. Allow it to lick the peanut butter off, all the time saying the word "kiss."

    • 3

      Repeat the trick. Do this trick with your dog a few times a day over the next few days and eventually when you tell the dog "kiss," it will come and lick you on the face.

    Find the Treat

    • 4

      Place a few treats underneath a towel. Allow your dog to watch this process.

    • 5

      Be enthusiastic. Encourage your dog to use its paws to retrieve the treats, all the while repeating the phrase "find the treats." If the dog begins to use its nose, lift the dog's head up and say "no." Then start from the beginning.

    • 6

      Be consistent. Allow the dog to eat the treats only if it can uncover them with its paws. Repeat this process a few times a day, once again saying "find the treats" while the dog looks for the treats. Eventually, the dog will dig wherever it's at when you tell it to "find the treats."

    Which Hand?

    • 7

      Place a treat into your hand and close it.

    • 8

      Stick both of your closed hands in front of the dog. Ask the dog "which hand"?

    • 9

      Watch your dog's actions. Wait to give the dog the treat until it places its paw, not its nose, on the closed hand that holds the treat.

    • 10

      Keep at it. Repeat this process several times, all the time using the phrase "which hand." Eventually, the dog will place its paw on the correct hand to retrieve the treat.