Do you often find yourself wishing you could teach your furry friend some new tricks? Well, you’re in luck! Training your dog doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your canine companion. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, these 10 easy tricks are sure to impress your friends and make your dog’s tail wag with excitement.
1. Sit Pretty: Teaching your dog to sit pretty is not only adorable, but it also helps strengthen their core muscles. Start by giving the command to sit, then hold a treat above your dog’s head. As they reach for the treat, gently lift it higher, causing them to lift their front paws off the ground. Reward them with the treat and plenty of praise. Repeat this exercise daily until your dog can hold the position for at least a few seconds.
2. Shake Hands: This classic trick is always a crowd-pleaser. To teach your dog to shake hands, start by giving the command to sit. Then, take their paw in your hand and gently shake it. Repeat this motion while saying the command “shake.” Be sure to reward your dog with a treat and praise each time they successfully shake hands. With consistency and patience, your dog will be shaking hands like a pro in no time.
3. Roll Over: Rolling over is a fun and impressive trick that will surely impress your friends and family. Begin by asking your dog to lie down. Then, take a treat and hold it close to their nose, moving it in a circular motion towards their shoulder. As they follow the treat with their nose, their body should naturally roll over. Reward them with the treat and lots of praise. Practice this trick daily, gradually fading out the treat until your dog can roll over on command.
4. Spin: Teaching your dog to spin is a great way to provide mental stimulation and exercise. Start by holding a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly guide them in a circular motion. As they follow the treat, say the command “spin” and reward them with the treat. Repeat this exercise in both directions, gradually removing the treat until your dog can spin on command.
5. Play Dead: This trick is guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter. Begin by asking your dog to lie down on their side. With a treat in your hand, gently move it towards their shoulder, causing them to roll onto their back. As they lie on their back, say the command “play dead” and reward them with the treat. Practice this trick regularly, gradually fading out the treat until your dog can play dead with just the verbal command.
6. Find It: Teaching your dog to find a hidden object is not only fun, but it also engages their natural sense of smell. Start by placing a treat or favorite toy in plain sight and say the command “find it.” Encourage your dog to sniff out the object and reward them with the treat or toy. Gradually hide the object in more challenging locations, using the command “find it” each time. Your dog will love using their nose to search for hidden treasures.
7. Speak: Does your dog have a lot to say? Teach them to speak on command! Start by getting your dog excited and worked up. As they bark, say the command “speak” and reward them with a treat. Repeat this exercise daily until your dog can bark on command. You can even take it a step further by teaching them to be quiet on command, using the command “quiet” and rewarding them for not barking.
Building on the Basics
Now that you’ve mastered these 7 tricks, it’s time to build on the basics and teach your dog even more impressive skills. With a solid foundation, your furry friend is ready to take on new challenges and expand their repertoire of tricks.
1. High Five: Take the handshake trick to the next level by teaching your dog to give a high five. Start by asking them to shake hands. Once they’re comfortable with this, hold your hand slightly higher and say the command “high five.” Reward them with a treat and praise when they successfully raise their paw to your hand.
2. Jump Through a Hoop: This trick is not only fun, but it also helps your dog improve their coordination and agility. Start by holding a hula hoop a few inches off the ground and show it to your dog.
Encourage them to walk through the hoop by using treats and a verbal command like “through.” Gradually raise the hoop off the ground as they become more comfortable. Before you know it, your dog will be jumping through hoops like a pro.
3. Balance a Treat: Teaching your dog to balance a treat on their nose is a classic trick that never fails to impress. Start by asking your dog to sit or lie down. Then, place a treat on their nose and give the command “balance.” Reward them as soon as they successfully balance the treat. Gradually increase the duration they hold the treat, using both verbal and hand commands.
4. Bring Me a Specific Object: Take the game of fetch to a whole new level by teaching your dog to bring you a specific object. Start by using their favorite toy. Give the command “fetch” and praise them when they bring the toy back to you. Once they have mastered this, introduce a new object and give it a distinct name. Practice with different objects, gradually increasing the difficulty. Your dog will soon become the ultimate fetch champion.
Taking Tricks to the Next Level
Now that your dog has mastered a wide range of tricks, it’s time to take their skills to the next level. These 5 advanced tricks will challenge your dog’s problem-solving abilities, increase their focus, and provide endless entertainment for both of you.
1. Roll in a Blanket: Teach your dog to roll themselves up in a blanket by using treats and verbal commands. Start by laying the blanket on the ground and enticing your dog to step onto it. Once they’re comfortable, roll the blanket slowly and say the command “roll up.” Reward them with a treat and praise as they roll themselves up in the blanket.
2. Weave Through Legs: This trick is a great way to showcase your dog’s agility and coordination. Start by standing with your legs slightly apart and encouraging your dog to walk through them. Use treats and a verbal command like “weave” to guide them through your legs. Reward them with treats and praise when they successfully weave through your legs.
3. Back Up: Teaching your dog to back up is not only impressive, but it’s also a practical skill. Start by standing in front of your dog and gently walking towards them. As they naturally take a step back, say the command “back up” and reward them with a treat and lots of praise. Gradually increase the distance they back up with each repetition.
4. Speak on Command in Different Languages: Take the speak command to a whole new level by teaching your dog to bark on command in different languages. Start by using a treat to get your dog excited. As they bark, say the command in a different language and reward them with a treat. Repeat this exercise with various languages, rewarding them for barking on command in each one.
Superstar Tricks
Now that your dog is a superstar in the world of tricks, it’s time to push their skills to the limit. These 5 superstar tricks will challenge your dog physically and mentally, and they’re sure to leave everyone in awe of their abilities.
1. Jump Over an Obstacle: Teach your dog to jump over an obstacle, such as a low hurdle or a stick laid on the ground. Start with a low obstacle and encourage your dog to jump over it using treats and a verbal command like “jump.” Gradually increase the height of the obstacle as your dog becomes more confident.
2. Open and Close Doors: Teach your dog to open and close doors using treats and verbal commands. Start with a partially open door and encourage your dog to push it open using their paws or nose. Reward them when they successfully open the door. To teach them how to close the door, hold a treat on the other side and encourage them to push it closed. Repeat this exercise with different doors around your house.
3. Find a Specific Person: Take the find it trick to a whole new level by teaching your dog to find a specific person. Start by having someone hide and give the command “find [person’s name].” Encourage your dog to search for the person using treats and verbal commands. Once they find the person, reward them with lots of praise and playtime.
4. Dance: Teach your dog to dance by using treats and verbal commands. Start by showing them a treat and gently moving it in a circular motion, encouraging them to follow it with their nose. Gradually incorporate different dance moves, such as spinning or jumping in place, and reward them each time they successfully complete a move.
5. Play an Instrument: Yes, you read that right! You can teach your dog to play an instrument, such as a piano or a keyboard. Start by guiding their paw to press a key using treats and a verbal command like “play.” Reward them each time they successfully press a key. With time and practice, your dog can become a musical prodigy!