Teaching your dog tricks is great fun for both of you! Not only does it provide mental stimulation and encourage physical activity, but it's also an excellent way to strengthen your bond.
Whether you're looking to teach your dog something new or simply want a fun activity to enjoy together, there are plenty of tricks you can practise at home.
All you need is some tasty dog treats, a little patience, and some time to practise!
1. Shaking paws
Teaching your dog to shake paws is generally pretty straightforward, particularly if they naturally lift their paw when asking for a treat.
How to teach your dog to shake paws:
- Ask your dog to sit.
- Hold a treat in your closed fist and let your dog investigate.
- When your dog lifts their paw, even slightly, reward them with the treat.
- Repeat this process, rewarding your dog whenever they offer their paw.
- Once they're consistently lifting their paw, introduce the verbal cue 'shake'.
- Gradually offer your open hand and reward your dog when they place their paw in it.
With a little practice, your dog will be shaking paws on command!
2. Roll over
If your dog already knows how to lie down, the next step could be teaching them to roll over.
This trick may come more naturally to smaller or more agile dogs, but many dogs can learn it with patience and practice.
It's important to avoid physically forcing your dog to roll over. Instead, use a treat to gently guide them through the movement.
How to teach your dog to roll over:
- Start by asking your dog to lie down.
- Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly move it towards their shoulder.
- Encourage your dog to follow the treat with their nose, shifting their weight until they lie on their side.
- Continue moving the treat in a gentle arc to encourage them to roll onto their other side.
- Once your dog completes the movement, reward them with the treat and plenty of praise.
- When they're consistently following the treat through the movement, introduce the verbal cue 'roll over'.
Remember, this trick may not be comfortable for every dog, particularly those with joint or mobility concerns. Never force the movement if your dog appears uncomfortable.
3. Speak
Teaching your dog to bark on command can be a fun trick, particularly if they're naturally vocal.
It can also provide an opportunity to teach a separate 'quiet' cue.
Keep in mind that some dogs are naturally quieter than others, so this trick may take a little longer to learn.
How to teach your dog to speak:
- Wait for a situation where your dog naturally gives a short bark without becoming stressed or overly excited.
- As your dog barks, reward the behaviour with a treat and praise.
- Repeat this a few times so your dog begins to associate barking with the reward.
- Once they're consistently offering a bark, introduce the verbal cue 'speak' just before the behaviour.
- Continue practising until your dog begins responding to the cue.
Keep training sessions short and avoid encouraging excessive barking or creating frustration to prompt a response.
4. Place
Teaching your dog to go to a designated place can be incredibly useful when you want them to settle down, relax on their bed, or move away from a busy area.
All you'll need is a comfortable dog bed or mat and some tasty treats.
How to teach your dog to place:
- Choose a designated spot, such as your dog's bed or a comfortable mat.
- Stand close to the bed or mat and use a treat to gently lure your dog onto it.
- As soon as all four paws are on the bed or mat, reward them.
- Repeat this process several times before introducing the verbal cue 'place'.
- Once your dog understands the cue, encourage them to lie down and settle on their mat.
- Gradually increase the amount of time they spend there, rewarding calm behaviour.
- As your dog becomes more confident, practise giving the cue from slightly further away.
With regular practice, your dog will learn to settle in their designated spot whenever you ask.
5. Shy (cover their eyes)
One of the cutest tricks you can teach your dog is to cover their face with their paw on command!
This trick takes a little patience, but it's a fun way to build on the paw-lifting skills your dog may have already learned.
How to teach your dog to be shy:
- Start by encouraging your dog to lift their paw using a familiar cue, such as 'shake'.
- Hold a treat near the side of their face, encouraging them to bring their paw towards their muzzle.
- Reward small movements in the right direction, gradually waiting for their paw to move closer to their face.
- Once your dog consistently brings their paw towards their face, introduce the verbal cue 'shy'.
- Continue practising until your dog can respond to the cue without needing a treat as a lure.
Be patient and work gradually, allowing your dog to learn the movement at their own pace.
Avoid attaching tape or other objects to your dog's face to encourage pawing, as this may cause discomfort or stress.
6. Bow
With the bow command, your dog lowers their head and front legs towards the ground while keeping their hips raised.
It's a great trick to teach because it resembles the natural play bow dogs often use when inviting another dog to play!
How to teach your dog to bow:
- Start with your dog standing on all four paws, facing you.
- Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly lower it towards the ground between their front paws.
- Encourage your dog to follow the treat, lowering their front legs while keeping their back legs standing.
- As soon as they begin to bow, reward them with the treat and praise.
- Gradually encourage a slightly deeper bow, provided your dog is comfortable.
- Once they're consistently performing the movement, introduce the verbal cue 'bow'.
- Slowly phase out the treat lure and practise using a hand signal or verbal cue alone.
Keep each bow brief and avoid forcing your dog into the position.
If your dog has joint pain or mobility concerns, choose a different trick that's more comfortable for them.
7. Spin
Spin is a fun and relatively easy trick to teach your dog using their favourite treats.
It involves encouraging your dog to turn in a circle on command, making it a great addition to your training sessions.
How to teach your dog to spin:
- Start by showing your dog that you have a treat in your hand.
- Hold the treat close to their nose and slowly move your hand in a wide circle.
- Encourage your dog to follow the treat, turning their body as they move.
- Once they've completed a comfortable rotation, reward them with the treat.
- Repeat the movement several times before introducing the verbal cue 'spin'.
- As your dog becomes more confident, gradually remove the treat lure and practise using a circular hand gesture or verbal cue.
You can also teach your dog to spin in both directions, helping them practise different movements.
Keep sessions short and avoid rapid or repetitive spinning, particularly if your dog has mobility concerns.
Keep training fun and rewarding
With a little patience, consistency, and plenty of positive reinforcement, you and your dog will be showing off your new tricks in no time!
Remember to keep training sessions short, reward progress, and always work at a pace that suits your dog.
Ready to teach your dog a new trick? Explore Petstock's range of dog training supplies to find tasty treats, training accessories, and other essentials to make every session fun and rewarding.