Teaching a dog some tricks can be great fun

OBEDIENCE training tends to be serious, most folks just want a dog to walk correctly and come when called.

But training does not have to be serious and can be fun.

Trick training can be more fun and often I will tell my clients to teach their pet a trick. Here are a couple of ideas, which should make more fun for both you and your dog.

Shake hands

This is very popular, simply make the dog sit ask for the ‘Paw’ and tickle the leg in the hollow behind the paw. As soon as the dog moves the paw give him a treat.

After a while the dog will do this on his own and then you should offer enthusiastic praise.

The extension shaking the paw is the wave, this time do not take the paw as the dog tries to touch your hand say ‘Wave’ in no time the dog will learn to

wave the paw. By changing your hand from left to right the dog should wave the other paw.

Play dead

When your dog is laying down gently roll him onto his side and quietly say dead. Make certain that the dog can see you. Do not walk out of his sight,

otherwise he will lift his head. Keep saying in a soft tone ‘Dead’ stretch the word out deeeeaaaadddd. You will be amazed how easy this is provided, you do this slowly.

At first do this for a few seconds and release the dog, and each day extend the trick to a few more seconds. Always keep yourself in a position where the dog can always see you.