Tricks for Treats

Another great way to interact with your dog is to teach him some tricks. He will enjoy the learning process as well as the attention he receives when he performs his stunts. And it is very simple to get a dog to learn a trick - especially if you have a treat with his name on it.

Tricks such as “Shake a Paw” and “Play Dead” are easily taught because you put the dog into position and then reward him for it. For either trick, get your dog into the desired position (paw extended or laying on his side), say the command and reward him with a treat. Repeat this a few times for several days in a row and soon he will do it on command.

“Crawl” and “Take a Bow” are interactive tricks in which you have to bribe your dog into action or wait until he naturally falls into the desired position. For “Crawl” it’s a matter of having him lie on his belly and then luring him across the floor with a treat in your hand. It may take some time for him to understand that he has to remain close to the ground when advancing but with your guidance and lots of goodies, he’ll figure it out soon enough. “Take a Bow” is somewhat of a waiting game because you have to get him when he is in a stretching position. When you see him getting up, have a treat ready and when he stretches repeat the command several times and reward him with a treat.

Do this every time you catch him in the act and eventually he’ll be doing it at the end of all his shows!