The information contained within this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. When introducing new items into your pet’s diet, consult with your veterinarian.
Dog training —and especially puppy training early on — is a fantastic way to stimulate your dog's mind and keep them active.
Here, we’ll walk you through some of the most impressive tricks you can teach your dog, along with helpful training tips to ensure successful training sessions that keep your pup engaged and motivated.
What Are Some Easy Dog Tricks?
Before moving on to the more impressive tricks, make sure your dog has mastered the basics. Basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” are foundational for any training program and ensure that your dog listens and follows instructions.
Here’s a quick refresher:
- Sit: To teach your dog to sit, hold a treat in a closed hand close to your dog’s nose and slowly move it up. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower. Once they’re in a sitting position, say “sit” and give them the treat.
- Stay: Ask your dog to sit, then open your palm in front of them and say “stay.” Take a step back, and if they stay in place, reward them. Gradually increase the distance as they get better at this command.
- Come: This is a vital command for safety. Show your dog a treat, back up a few steps, and say “come” in a cheerful tone. Reward them as soon as they reach you.
How Do I Teach My Dog To High Five?
Teaching your dog to “high five” is a crowd-pleaser and a great way to improve their focus and obedience.
Here’s how to do it:
- Hold a Dog Treat in Your Hand: Start by getting your dog’s attention with a treat.
- Prompt Paw Movement: Hold the treat slightly above their paw level. Many dogs will naturally raise a paw to reach the treat.
- Reward the Action: As soon as your dog lifts their paw, use the verbal cue “high five” and give them the treat.
- Repeat and Reinforce: Practice this a few times daily, gradually using the “high five” command without the treat. This trick is also a fun way to bond with your dog!
How Do I Teach My Dog To Shake?
A handshake is another easy trick that many dogs take to quickly. It’s similar to “high five” but involves a more controlled, gentle paw movement. Teaching this trick builds on the dog’s response to lifting their paw.
- Hold Your Hand Out: Start with your dog in a sat-down position. Say “shake” as you gently pick up one of their front paws.
- Reward Immediately: Reward them with a treat as soon as their paw is in your hand. If your dog barks or begs, tell them sternly but gently to wait.
- Repeat: Over time, your dog will learn to lift their paw on their own when you say “shake.” Make sure to give them lots of praise as they learn!
How Do I Teach My Dog To Spin?
Teaching your dog to “spin” is a fun trick that adds movement to their routine and enhances their agility. Plus, it’s easy to teach!
- Hold a Treat in Front of Their Nose: Start with your dog standing on their hind legs, then hold a treat in front of your dog.
- Guide Them in a Circle: Slowly guide the treat around in a circle. As they follow it, they’ll naturally begin to spin.
- Introduce the Command: As they complete the circle, say “spin” and give them the treat.
- Practice: With regular practice, they’ll associate the command “spin” with the action.
How Do I Teach My Dog To Roll Over?
Rolling over is a slightly more advanced trick that shows off your dog’s flexibility. Here’s how to teach it:
- Start With “Down”: Ask your dog to lie down.
- Use a Treat to Guide Them: Hold a treat near their nose, then move it slowly towards their shoulder. This hand signal should encourage them to roll onto their side.
- Encourage Full Roll: Keep guiding the treat until they’ve completed the roll. Use the command “roll over” as they perform the action, then reward them with a high-value treat.
- Repeat: Practice makes perfect, so repeat this a few times to reinforce the behavior.
How Do I Teach My Dog To Play Dead?
The “play dead” trick always impresses. It’s also known as the “bang” trick and can be taught with a bit of patience.
- Start With “Down”: Ask your dog to lie down.
- Guide Them to Their Side: Hold a treat near their nose, then slowly move it toward their shoulder to encourage them to roll onto their side.
- Introduce the Command: Once they’re lying on their side, use the command “play dead” or “bang.”
- Reward and Repeat: Praise and treat them for completing the action, and repeat the process to help them understand the cue.
How Do I Teach My Dog To Take a Bow?
Teaching your dog to “bow” is both adorable and a great stretching exercise. It can be done after active play or a session of zoomies to help stretch their muscles.
- Start With “Stand”: Begin with your dog in a standing position.
- Guide the Head Downward: Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it down to the ground while keeping their rear end up.
- Use the Cue “Bow”: As they lower their head and keep their back end up in a bow position, say “bow” and reward them.
- Practice: Repeat this trick until they understand how to hold the position.
Tips for Successful Training
Training requires patience, consistency, and lots of positive reinforcement. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Short Sessions: Keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes) to prevent boredom or frustration.
- Positive Reinforcement: Always reward your dog with treats or praise to keep them motivated.
- Practice Regularly: Daily practice helps reinforce commands and makes it easier for your dog to remember each trick.
- Take Breaks: If your dog seems tired or disinterested, take a break and try again later.
Joint Health and Training: Supporting Your Dog’s Active Lifestyle
Teaching tricks can be a physical workout, so supporting your dog’s joint health is essential, especially as they age.
Incorporating a supplement like Antinol Plus into their daily routine can make a big difference. Antinol Plus is a premium joint support supplement made with natural green-lipped mussel oil and krill, known for its benefits in improving mobility and maintaining joint function.
Antinol Plus is clinically proven to work better and faster than glucosamine and chondroitin, helping dogs of all ages stay active and agile as they learn and perform new tricks. By including Antinol Plus as part of their wellness routine, you can ensure that your dog has the joint support they need to enjoy learning and performing tricks for years to come.
Sources:
Brain games for dogs | Animal Humane Society