Getting Your Puppy To Perform Tricks

 

In order to teach your dog tricks, you'll want to have some reward treats. You also want to be in a quiet place where you can train for about 15 minutes, so your dog does not get distracted. Whenever your dog does something correct, you want to make sure to give the dog praise and reward with a treat. Even though you will probably get excited, try not to get too excited because this might get the dog too excited as well and thus your dog will start to lose concentration.

One easy trick to start off with is by getting your dog to give you his paw. First thing is to get your dog to sit. Next, say the word paw and then take your dog's paw and place it in your hand. Give the dog a treat and then repeat. After you've done this a few times do not take the dog's paw right away. Say the word paw and maybe count to one and then take his paw. You should start to see that the dog will bring his paw up to you as you say the word paw. If he is not at this point yet, then start back from the beginning. Say the word paw and taking his paw in your hand at the same time of saying it. Do it like this a few more times and then start slowing your response down again. It might take 2 or 3 rounds of doing this, but once the dog learns it, you and the dog will be very happy.

A classic trick is getting your dog to spin in a circle. Get your dog to stand in front of you. Hold a treat in your hand and move your hand in a circular motion. You'll also want to say something like spin, circle, turn, or some type of verbal command. Guide your dog in this circle and once your dog has made a complete circle, give your dog the treat. Once your dog understands this, you can use the treats less often. With some practice and repetition, your dog may be able to do this just on your hand signal alone and not needing the verbal command along with it.

After your dog has mastered the first two tricks, you can try one that's a little bit harder by getting your dog to roll over. The easiest way to teach this trick is to start when your dog is lying down. You want to have a treat that your dog can't resist. Say the word roll over, or whatever verbal command you'd like to use, while moving the treat in front of his nose in a way that he will have to roll over onto his back to get to it. Once he's on his back, give him the treat and rub his belly. This trick may take more practice to get it. Just like people, some dogs learn faster than others, but the more you do it, the better he'll get at it.

The key to having success with your dog learning new tricks is a lot of repetition and of course rewarding with treats. Do not get too excited and start teaching more than one trick at a time. Once the dog has learned one trick, practice that one for a day or two. You can then move onto another trick. Keep in mind when you do move on to another trick to still do the tricks he has already learned, so this way he won't forget.