Spending time with your canine companion can be a learning experience as well. Here are some basic tricks to teach your dog that will encourage good behaviour and also strengthen your bond.
Trick: Sit
- Teaching your dog to sit is probably the most important trick for them to learn.
- Get a treat in your hand and show it to your dog; without giving it to them.
- Hold the treat above your dog’s head so they must raise their head upwards – making the action of sitting the only way to reach the treat.
- As soon as your pet-pal sits, reward them with the treat and praise them for doing the correct action.
- Introduce the word “sit” when you give the treat to your dog for performing the correct action.
- Continue to practice, so your doggo understands how to respond when they hear the word “sit”.
Purina gives their tips about introducing hand gestures instead of treats once your pet has ‘sit’ down pat.
Trick: Shake Hands
- Make sure your dog is in a sitting position to start this lesson.
- Have some dog treats in your hand and hold the treat in front of them so they know the treats are there.
- Some trainers recommend trying to put your dog off balance by holding their treats to one side so they raise their paw. At the point they raise their paw, use a cue or word to signal that they have done the right action, and give them a treat. For instance, the cue could be “shake hands”, “yes”, “good boy/girl”.
- Repeat these steps until your doggo will raise their paw for a shake simply by hearing your cue/word.
Here are the Gentle Modern School of Dog Training’s tips for teaching your dog to shake hands.
Trick: Playing Fetch
According to Petbarn, the first two most important words that your doggo has to know before they learn to fetch are “come” and “drop it”.
- Teach them to “come” by using the word with your pooch’s name, speaking in an upbeat, positive tone. Praise them when they come.
- To teach them “drop it”, start in a contained area such as the laundry and have your pet’s favourite toy in one hand and treats in the other. Give your pet their favourite toy, then with the treat close to their nose, say “drop it”. They will soon realise that they need to drop the toy to receive the treat.
- Now move to a larger area, such as the backyard, and throw your dog’s favourite toy a few metres. Say “come” and make it more enticing with a treat.
- Repeat “drop it” when your pet returns, and provide a reward when they do. Once you pet gets the hang of the game, increase the distance you throw the toy and practice, practice, practice to ensure your pet-pal understands how to play.
Trick: Roll Over
- Better Homes and Gardens has outlined a technique to get your dog to learn how to roll over, which involves your dog starting on their belly.
- Put a treat in your hand and move your hand slowly behind your dog’s neck.
- Aim to encourage your dog to turn their head backwards without standing up.
- As your dog sniffs/goes for the treat, gently encourage them to roll. As soon as they roll over, give them a treat and praise them for doing the correct action.
- Continue to practice. When your dog completely rolls over on cue, give them a treat. Again, practice is key to your doggo understanding what the word “roll over” means.
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