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 THE DOG GRAPEVINE
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DOG TRICKS

Teaching your dog tricks is not only fun, but it serves many purposes. It's great for their minds, works on your bond, and also acts as stretching and exercise for your dog. Not to mention that it's entertaining for friends and family.

I have read 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog and The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need: Impress Friends, Family--and Other Dogs! and I can personally testify that they are excellent resources and training manuals to teach your dog tricks.

I started teaching my dog to shake when she was only 8 weeks old. It follows the principal of positive reinforcement. All my training is done with treats, love, affection and positive reinforcement. It should be fun, and you can even be creative in teaching your dog tricks. If your dog already does something cute, you can shape that behavior, give it a name and it will become a trick they do for the rest of their lives.

Before we continue you have to see this site. It's fun and interactive and gives you an idea of how adorable it is when a dog does tricks - Interactive Dog Tricks . Just enter the trick you want the dog to do and he will perform it for you. Really fun!

Teaching Your Dog Tricks - The Basics

First you want to start with healthy treats to reinforce the behaviors you are looking for. I'm an advocate for everything healthy and I recommend looking at this site for a variety of healthy treats - Only Natural Pet Store.

There are two schools of thought in training tricks. The first method requires an enormous amount of patience and that is waiting for the behavior you want and reward the dog immediately. They will know they are doing something you want by the quick reward.  The other method is to lure or show the dog what you want. I've found that a combination of the two methods is the best way to get results.

The learning curve for each dog is different, so is their attention span and desire to learn new things.

Shake:

Sit on the floor next to your dog with a handful of treats by your side. Put a few in your hand and start by barely tapping on the dogs foot. The moment they raise it, say "YES" or use a clicker to mark the behavior, and give them the treat. Don't say anything yet like shake or give me your paw. That will come later.

Be patient and just keep doing this until their paw gets higher and higher. Always mark the behavior with the yes or a clicker and a treat. I've always kept the treats in my hand with my hand closed. The hand only opens when the correct behavior is offered. After they are raising their leg on their own, without you touching them, add the word shake. When you get adept in your training, you will even be able to teach them right and left.

Roll Over:

I start with more of a luring process with this trick. Roll over is easy for more agile dogs, stiffer breeds that don't like to be on their backs will have more troubles with this trick. I begin with the dog in a down position. I hold the treat at their nose with one hand and with the other hand I gently guide them on their side. Each step along the way I mark what I want with a Yes or a clicker and a treat. Go slowly and make it fun. Always be enthusiastic about any behavior you are looking for.

If you keep moving the treat and allow them to follow it, you will get them to roll over. Do not call the trick anything until you can consistently have them do it. Then you can add roll over.

Dance:

This one is so easy it's embarrassing......It's such a crowd pleaser, especially with little dogs. Hold the treat up so the dog has to stand on their back legs to reach. Mark with Yes or your Clicker and treats. Keep doing this until you start to move the treat forward at the same level. The dog has to stay up on their hind legs to stay within the range of the treat and will be walking on their hind legs.

There are so many tricks to enjoy with your dog. Be creative, read books, and enjoy the many hours of fun and enjoyment.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional dog trainer and do not guarantee the methods that I use. I am just someone who loves dogs and training them. My methods have worked for me, and hopefully they will for you too. Have fun!