Teaching your dog new tricks is a fantastic way to strengthen your bond, provide mental stimulation, and showcase their intelligence. Whether you’re a seasoned dog trainer or just starting, this guide, inspired by “101 Dog Tricks,” offers a diverse range of commands from simple to complex. Embarking on this training journey can be incredibly rewarding, transforming everyday interactions into fun learning opportunities. This compilation covers everything from basic obedience enhancements like “sit” and “stay” to more elaborate actions that showcase a dog’s remarkable abilities. Let’s explore the exciting world of dog trick training and discover how to unlock your canine companion’s full potential.
Basic Commands and Fun Actions
Many tricks build upon fundamental obedience skills, making them accessible for most dogs. These foundational tricks are excellent for establishing a training routine and building confidence.
- Bare Teeth: Mimicking a wolf or shark, this trick involves your dog showing their teeth on cue.
- Bark: A classic trick, teaching your dog to bark on command. You can further refine this by teaching them to “Bark Silently” (whisper) or to “Speak LOUDLY!” and “Speak SOFTLY!”
- Beg: This involves your dog sitting up in a begging position.
- Bow: Teaching your dog to lower their front end while keeping their rear end up.
- Circle Around Me: Your dog walks in a circle around you.
- Cock Your Head: This endearing trick involves your dog tilting their head to one side.
- Crawl: Teaching your dog to move forward on their belly.
- Did You Wash Your Hands?: A fun variation of “beg” where the dog shows their paw pads.
- Dig: Teaching your dog to dig on cue, useful for specific situations.
- Fan the Flames: A two-pawed trick that can be quite entertaining.
- Cover Your Eyes: Your dog places a paw over their eyes.
- Gimme Four: The canine equivalent of “give me five,” using a paw.
- Growl: Teaching your dog to growl on command, used for playful intimidation.
- Kiss: A sweet trick where your dog gives you a lick.
- Let Go of Rope: Essential for tug-of-war games.
- Nod Your Head: Similar to cocking their head, but a distinct nodding motion.
- Nose Touch: Teaching your dog to touch their nose to your hand or other objects. This can be a stepping stone to identifying objects.
- Play Dead: A dramatic trick where your dog flops over and remains still.
- Push Things with Paw: Teaching your dog to push doors or drawers open.
- Put Paws on a Person’s Shoulders: A trick requiring balance and trust.
- Ring Bell: Can be taught using a string, nose, or paw, useful for signaling needs.
- Roll Over: A classic and impressive trick.
- Rub Muzzle on Floor: A simple ground-based trick.
- Shake Hands: Teaching your dog to offer a paw for a handshake.
- Shake Your Head: A quick head shake on cue.
- Shake Yourself: Mimicking a dog shaking water off.
- Sit on Couch with Front Feet on Ground: A relaxed, impressive pose.
- Stand Up on Rear Legs: Making your dog appear “soooo big!”
- Spin: Teaching your dog to spin in a circle.
- Wag Tail: Encouraging your dog to wag their tail on cue.
- Walk Backward: Teaching your dog to walk in reverse.
- Wave: A charming trick of raising a paw.
- Sneeze: Mimicking a sneeze on command.
- Where’s Your Tail?: Your dog looks for their tail.
- Whimper: Teaching your dog to make a soft whining sound.
- Yawn: A relaxed trick to teach.
Advanced Tricks and Object Interaction
Moving beyond basic commands, these tricks involve more complex actions, object manipulation, and a deeper understanding of cues.
- Balance Treat on Nose: Your dog balances a treat on their nose before tossing and catching it.
- Carry Purse or Other Bag: Teaching your dog to carry items. This is a great foundation for fetch and retrieve tasks.
- Fetch Newspaper: A classic retrieval task.
- Fetch Slippers: A helpful trick for daily routines.
- Find/Bring Keys: Teaching your dog to locate and retrieve specific items like keys.
- Find/Bring Dog Dishes: Useful for mealtime preparation.
- Find/Bring Leash: An excellent cue for walks.
- Find/Bring TV Remote: A humorous and practical trick.
- Get a Toy by Name: This requires your dog to differentiate between various toys.
- Wiggle Ears: A subtle and cute trick.
- Heel Backward: Walking backward while staying close to your leg.
- Hide Your Eyes/Paw Over Nose: Performing a “shame on you” or “do you like tuna?” gesture.
- Hide Your Head: Your dog tucks their nose under a cushion or blanket.
- Howl: Teaching your dog to howl on cue, perhaps inspired by music.
- Keep Barking Until Subtle Cue: A trick requiring impulse control and responsiveness to nuanced signals.
- Lead Another Dog by the Leash: Demonstrates leadership and control.
- Limp: Mimicking a limp on command.
- Moonwalk: Scooting backward in a bow position.
- Open Doors: A practical trick that requires coordination.
- Permit Wearing Sunglasses or Hat: Teaching your dog to tolerate accessories.
- Pick a Card: From a deck of cards, requiring focus and discrimination.
- Pick the Hammer: Pawing to indicate a correct tool from a set.
- Pull a Cart: Harnessing your dog’s strength for pulling tasks.
- Pull on Harness: This can involve various tasks like closing doors, opening cupboards, or pulling a cart. For instance, they can learn to pull on a rope to close doors or open cupboards.
- Pull Your Wallet Out of Your Pocket: A surprisingly adept trick.
- Lower/Raise Head While Lying Down: A subtle positional change.
- Push Something with the Nose: Such as nudging a ball.
- Put a Toy IN Something: Teaching object permanence and placement.
- Ride a Cart: With proper training and safety, dogs can learn to ride in a cart.
- Ride a Skateboard: A more advanced trick requiring excellent balance and coordination.
- Roll in Cued Direction: Rolling in a specified direction.
- Rub Back on Floor: A full-body stretch and roll.
- Rub Muzzle with Paws: A grooming-like action.
- Smile: Teaching your dog to lift their lips to mimic a smile.
- Shame on You: Hiding their head under a chair.
- Sit in a Chair, Paws on Table: A quirky, anthropomorphic trick.
- Teabag Search: Your dog searches individuals for a hidden teabag.
- Roll Yourself Up in a Blanket or Towel: A cozy trick.
- Take a Bow, Twirl, and Take a Bow: A sequence of impressive movements.
- Take Money: Instructing your dog to take money and bring it to you.
- Walk Sideways: Moving laterally.
- Jump Up into Handler’s Arms: A trust-based trick.
- Weave Between Your Legs: A fluid movement through a handler’s legs.
- Climb a Ladder: An advanced agility trick.
- Dance: Performing a rhythmic movement.
- Fetch a Hot Dog: A special retrieval task.
- Kick Balls with Paws (Soccer): A playful sport-like trick.
- Lead People: Gently guiding individuals by their wrist.
- Learn Names of Family Members and Carry Messages: An incredibly intelligent trick requiring memory and understanding.
- Nose Touch to Designated Colors or Shapes: Identifying specific objects by sight.
- Ride a Horse/Llama/Other Dog: Requires significant training, trust, and often specific canine or animal partnerships.
- Roll Over with Ball Between Front Paws: Combining rolling with object manipulation.
- Stop Dead on Cue: Instantaneous halt.
- Walk Up Stairs Backward: A challenging directional trick.
- Fetch Beer from Fridge: A highly functional and impressive retrieval task.
This extensive list provides endless possibilities for training and bonding with your dog. Remember that patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency are key to success in teaching any trick. Enjoy the journey of discovering your dog’s capabilities!
