Dog Tricks Training – How to Train a Dog to Perform Tricks

Working with, and not against, a pets nature is the easiest way to teach tricks. Dogs usually endeavor to please and respond extremely well to rewards and treats. Utilizing those rewards to build on natural behavior normally produces excellent results.

Watch for natural behavior similar to the trick desired. A dog will occasionally crawl on its belly for no apparent reason. It may be to scratch or simply be to have fun. If this is a desired trick, look for the beginnings of the behavior, then issue a voice and hand command, rewarding them immediately after.

Basic ‘sit’, ‘come’ etc commands are usually easy to teach. Some repetition coupled with a treat and/or verbal praise will see most dogs obeying commands quickly. Some tricks can be taught easily by expanding on basic behaviors. ‘Walk in a circle’ can usually be executed after ‘come’ has been taught by abbreviating the command down to a single word, like ‘spin’ or ‘circle’.

In the beginning it might be useful to use toys or treats to inspire desired behavior, but don’t become reliant on this method. For training to be successful, the dog needs to respond to verbal and hand commands with praise, and not constant food rewards. Once command-behavior become routine, treats should be withdrawn.

An excellent way to encourage some tricks is to use a favorite toy. ‘Jump’ can be encouraged by using a rope the dog likes playing tug with and moving it up and down quickly, just out of reach. Once the behavior becomes routine change to using just your hand.

By using a favorite bone or ball, hide-and-seek is another game easily learnt. A dog can use it’s strong sense of smell over large distances. Use this by hiding the toy under an object a few feet away, then slowly increase the distance, moving the object to another room or placing it on a higher surface.

A dogs' natural affection is great to use as a training aid. Many will automatically offer a paw to express themselves. Place the dog in a 'sit' and kneel in front of him. Hold up your own 'paw' and give a unique command (‘five’ or ‘paw’ usually work well).

Sometimes the dogs’ paw will come up immediately and for others you may need to gently lift it while saying the voice command. When the dog is in the correct position, praise even if you have had to intervene. Place the paw back down and begin again.

It is easy to extend on basic tricks, too. Begin with one 'high five', then develop this further into 'sit pretty' by taking the paw and lifting gently. Often, the other paw will come up without prompting. Hold both and praise and reward. When sitting at the desk and I want mine to sit pretty, I often pat my chest and up he comes followed by lavish praise.

To be most effective, tricks should be fun, for both of you. Training is normally carried out for control, safety and encouraging correct behavior. Ultimately, tricks are taught to be enjoyable and should help to increase your bond.

         

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