You’ve just introduced a new family member in the form of a furry friend, and there’s no doubt you’re already smitten. However, you may be looking for some new ways to bond with your dog and have fun at the same time. Introducing trick training to your new best friend is a great way to build a strong relationship, and it’ll also stimulate your dog both mentally and physically.
From watching films and TV shows, you’ve probably seen the amazing tricks that dogs can do, and your new addition can learn the same skills! If you are patient and take the proper steps, almost any dog can learn new tricks. It’s a great way to show off your furry friend to others and lead to better obedience. Not to mention, it’s also a lot of fun.
Below are some of the easiest and oldest tricks in the book to teach your new dog, with step-by-step guides.
How To Teach Your Dog To Sit
This has to be the most well-known trick out there, and it couldn’t be easier for your dog to learn, even if they’re still a puppy. There are two methods to training a dog to sit, so look at both and choose which one will be best for both you and your pup.
Method 1: Capturing
- Start by standing in front of your pup, holding their favorite treat.
- It may take a while, but wait for them to sit. Once they do, say ‘yes’ and reward them with a treat.
- Move on to stepping backward or to the side, so your dog stands up again, and then wait for them to sit down again.
- Give them a treat for sitting down again.
- Repeat this a few times, then begin saying ‘sit’ just as your dog begins to sit.
Method 2: Luring
- Get your treat ready as a lure, and then lower yourself to your pup’s level.
- Place the treat in front of your dog’s nose and then slowly lift it above their head. It is likely they will sit down as you do this.
- Allow your dog to eat the treat the moment they sit down completely.
- Repeat a couple of times using the treat as a lure, but then remove the treat from your hand. When they sit, still reward them with a treat after.
- Once the hand signal has been recognized as you telling your pup to sit, introduce saying ‘sit’ before the hand signal.
How To Teach Your Dog To Give Paw
Once you’ve taught your dog to give you their paw, you can easily teach them to high five or shake your hand. This is the basic trick that will make all the magic happen. Just ensure that before you start, your dog is in a sitting position.
- Place a treat in front of your dog’s nose with one hand while saying ‘paw’. Then extend your other hand in front of your pup’s leg.
- They may look confused at first, so gently press their shoulder muscle with your empty hand.
- The moment your dog lifts their paw off the ground, grab it and reward them with a treat and lots of praise.
- Repeat this until your pup starts to associate your empty hand with presenting their paw.
How To Teach Your Dog To Roll Over
This trick is a lot of fun for both you and your dog. It’s also very impressive to show off to friends and family. Just ensure you’re patient with your pup while you go through the steps of learning this trick.
- Grab a treat and then lower your hand, encouraging your dog to get in the ‘down’ position.
- Scratch or tickle your pup until they roll onto their hip.
- Circle the treat in your hand from your dog’s nose, under their chin, and then over the back of their neck, ending behind their ear.
- Start to say ‘roll over’ as you circle the treat around their head.
- The moment your pup leans into it, praise them and flip over their paws.
- As soon as your dog has made a complete turn, give them the treat and lots more praise.
How To Teach Your Dog To Spin In A Circle
Ever wanted your dog to chase their tail, but on cue? You can get your pup to learn this trick in 4 simple steps. Just ensure you’re stocked up on treats and get ready for a lot of mishaps and laughs.
- Place a treat in your hand and allow your dog to sniff it out.
- Stand up and move the arm holding the treat in a wide circle around your pup while saying ‘spin’.
- Encourage your dog to follow his nose and smell the treat, so they go around in a circle. As soon as they have, reward them with the treat.
- Once you’ve done this a few times, remove the treat and just use your arm to allow your pup to do the trick, or just say ‘spin’.
You’ve now got four straightforward tricks to teach your furry friend, and you’re in for a lot of fun. If you didn’t have a great bond before, you will after all this training. Just keep in mind to limit the practice to just a couple of times a day, to not tire your pup out too much. After a long day of training, allow them to curl up and relax on Toby & Ace’s Buddy Bed to ensure they rest properly before the next session. Before you know it, you’ll have a dog ready to run away with the circus with all the tricks they’ve learned.
