Ever wanted to know how to teach your dog to do cool tricks?

Learning how to teach your dog tricks can be a great way to build a bond with your dog. Plus, teaching your dog tricks is a great way to keep your dog entertained.

Luckily, teaching your dog tricks is way easier than you think. A lot of the tricks are simple, and some tricks are actually very clever.

Here are the 10 best tricks to teach your dog.


Best Tricks To Teach Your dog



Trick 1: Play dead


This trick is a great way to put a good scare into your dog. It’s a pretty simple trick to learn, and your dog is sure to be terrified of you if you do it.


Here’s how to play dead:


Sit on the ground (or on a chair)


Slowly lean your head to the left


Move your hand as if to hand the toy to your dog


Now quickly move your head and eyes back to your original position


You now have taught your dog to be afraid of you because you had him by the neck and was moving your head around!


However, in order for this trick to work, your dog must see you move your head and eyes.


Your dog doesn’t necessarily have to be watching, but he must see your movement.


Trick 2: Shake a paw


To teach your dog to shake a paw, begin by holding up one paw and asking your dog to touch the paw. When your dog sees you holding up the paw, say “aww” or whatever sound he likes to hear.


He’ll start to look at the paw you’re holding. Say “aww” again, and tell your dog to touch the paw.


Next, hold up the other paw. Once your dog sees you holding the other paw, say “aww,” and ask him to touch the paw.


Treats for the tricks, as well as treats for being a good boy.


Why This Trick Works


Shake a paw is a “sit, down, and shake” trick because you ask your dog to sit, down, and shake.


In other words, the same concept of asking your dog to do a series of actions is also a great way to teach your dog tricks.


Sit


To teach your dog to sit, start by simply telling him to sit.


Trick 3: Roll over


To teach your dog to roll over, start by holding your dog by his hips, about shoulder height, as if to say "sit." Then, slowly roll the dog's back and down to the ground.


This will be your dog's first trick, and he won't be very cooperative. If you're new to teaching tricks, try the freeze method.


Using this trick, your dog will be very used to being held by his hips while you hold him by his back. As soon as your dog begins to resist, he's been caught doing the trick. You'll also notice that your dog will sometimes sit up when he's upside down. When you're sure he's done the trick, praise and reward him by gently pulling up on his back, like you would when he does a sit.


As soon as your dog is all the way down, slowly lift him back up. Do this two or three times.


Trick 4: Beg


Beg is one of the easiest tricks to teach your dog. All you have to do is open your mouth really wide, while also opening your eyes really wide. Your dog should move their mouth to eat your lips. Do this for a minute.


You can also teach your dog to beg by slowly putting food in their mouth while saying “Begging”. The more food you put in your mouth, the more your dog will want the food.


Back Up


This is an advanced trick, but it is very effective. Back up is all about teaching your dog that you can control them. The simplest way to do this is to tie your dog’s leash to your hand. When your dog is fast and runs around the room, you can try to tell him “Back Up” by picking him up, moving him forward, and stopping him.


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Trick 5: Lay down


Have you ever tried to teach your dog to lay down? It's not easy. When you first try to teach your dog to lay down, it can be very frustrating. Your dog is probably biting and jumping, and it can be very confusing for both you and your dog.


It's also very frustrating for your dog, as she can't perform the trick because she's just not sure she can. So the first step in teaching your dog to lay down is teaching him what it means.


One of the best ways to teach your dog to lay down is to mimic the behaviour you want him to do. Dogs can easily learn what a lay down means, because it makes them feel safe.


If your dog is jumping and biting, then you're probably pushing too hard. So it's important to start with lots of petting, and lots of praise.

Best Tricks To Teach Your dog:


Trick 6: Jump through a hoop or over a bar


Try it out with your dog, and let her jump through the hoop.


Catch food off the ground


Start by putting a piece of food on the ground. Then give your dog a command to “sit,” “down,” “come,” or “wait.”


Then, put your dog’s head down, and slowly move the food in front of her.


Let her sniff the food, and then lift her head and reward her with a treat.


Trick 8: Pick things up off the ground


You can teach your dog to pick up objects on the floor, or in your hand.


To teach her to pick up something off the floor, put something on the ground, and have your dog walk over to it.


Then, treat her, and give her a second command, “bring it to me.”


When she picks it up, reward her.


Trick 7: Play fetch


Your dog is bored. He’s whining and carrying on like he’s just been left for dead on the side of the road. He needs some real fun.


What’s a guy to do? Play fetch! Grab a stick, and have some fun playing fetch with your dog. You can use tennis balls, or a stuffed toy. Have your dog fetch it from a distance, or throw it and run with it yourself.


Jog with your dog


Your dog needs exercise and variety, and you, as his human, are the best humans for his exercise. Why not try going on a jog with your dog? Go for a three mile hike with your dog.


On the way back, why not let your dog drag you on a game of fetch? If he gets too tired, just carry him home. You’ll be able to take in the amazing scenery while your dog is snoozing on your back.


8. Trick 8. Hide and seek


Get your dog to come find you.


If your dog does a sit, down, shake, rollover, high five, or any other trick that requires the dog to find you then you can teach it to hide when you call him.


Instructions:


Stand next to the dog. Make the dog call out “find me”. When the dog is looking for you, call him and he will come running. If he does not, he will not learn this new trick. After the dog has learnt hide and seek, you can move on to the next trick.


Rationale: Hide and seek is a good trick to teach your dog because it can be taught quickly, it’s challenging, and it’s very rewarding for the dog.


Count to 4 in Spanish


Have your dog count in Spanish.


Instructions:


Stand on one side of the dog, your body between your dog and the food bowl.

Best Tricks To Teach Your dog


9. Trick 9. Shake hands


This is a perfect trick to teach your dog to stand on one foot! Your dog will start to understand that he needs to shake to greet people.


If you want to try it for your dog, start by showing him your hand, and then slowly have him get up onto all fours. Once he has stood on all fours and is shaking your hand, have him start shaking. Once he starts shaking, stop. You want him to do it on command, not on his own.


Count to 10 or 20 to break the behaviour of just shaking. Give your dog a treat every time he stands up on one foot.


Another great trick to teach your dog! Share this one with all the dog lovers in your life.


10. Trick 10. Fetch a toy


A simple trick that can be taught by any dog. This is a great trick to teach your dog if you have a small dog.


Any toy that your dog likes can be used as a training exercise. When your dog decides they want to retrieve the toy, just click and throw the toy again.


The next time you throw the toy for your dog, click and treat them for it. When they catch the toy, you click and treat them again.


As your dog catches the toy and brings it back, you can begin to extend the distance your dog has to come back to the toy.


You can then progress to holding your hand out to reward your dog. You can try using objects like pillows or plastic bags to further extend the distance your dog has to come back.