3 Simple Tricks to Teach Your Dog

Teaching your dog tricks is a great way to boost his mental stimulation, and it allows the two of you to bond. The training can be fun and simple, as long as he knows basic commands, such as "down" or "sit." Here are three simple tricks that you can teach your dog.

Shaking Hands

Since most dogs have a natural instinct to raise their paws for a treat, teaching this trick will be easy to do. Your dog will need to be in the sitting position before you begin the training. You will then need to place a treat in your hand, and slowly move that treat to the ground, placing it next to your dog's paw. Once your dog begins to raise his paw in anticipation of the treat, you will need to say the word "shake." Be sure to praise your dog and repeat this step, holding your hand a little higher each time so that your dog will need to raise his paw higher in order to grab the treat.

The goal is for your dog to raise his paw chest high. Always use the same paw when training your dog until he can hold his paw up on command; afterwards, you can switch to his other paw. After your dog has learned to shake hands on command, eliminate the treats and replace them with praise and doggy toys.

Dancing

This trick can be taught to all dogs, but those pets under 40 pounds learn the dance trick faster. When you begin the training process, make sure that your dog is in the sitting position. Place a treat in your hand, but be sure to close your hand and move it near your dog's nose. In a slow motion, you want to lift your hand over your dog's head; next, you want to move your hand slightly behind his head. Your dog will then look back at your hand as he stands on his hind legs. Give your dog a treat and praise him as soon as he stands on his back legs. Repeat this step over and over until your dog is able to stand on his hind legs quickly and sturdily.

The next step is to move the treat above your dog's head in a small circle. The goal is for your dog to twirl on his hind legs. Once he begins to step in a circle, speak the word "dance." Give him a treat and continue to praise him each time in order to bait your dog to stand up and turn in a circle.

Take a Bow

After shaking hands and dancing, your dog will deserve to take a bow. The key to this trick is having your dog place his chest to the ground while keeping his bottom upward. Bowing comes naturally to dogs, so this trick is simple to learn.

When you begin teaching this trick, your dog will need to be in the standing position. Place a treat next to your dog's nose, and slowly move it down, keeping the treat next to his nose at all times. Your dog's chest will be on the ground and his bottom will be upward. Keep your dog in this position for a few seconds and speak the word "bow." Use the treat to lure your dog back up into the standing position. Once he is standing, give him the treat and lots of praise. Repeat this process no more than three times a day and soon your dog will be able to bow on command.

Always keep training under 10 minutes per day. You will need to remain patient, positive, and calm when training your dog to do these simple tricks. Have fun and be sure to show off your dog's new tricks to family and friends!

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