Teaching your dog new tricks is a rewarding experience that strengthens your bond and provides mental stimulation. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, there are countless commands and tricks you can teach. This guide will walk you through 52 different tricks, offering step-by-step instructions to help you and your canine companion succeed.
The Foundation: Clicker Training
Before diving into specific tricks, it’s essential to establish a strong foundation with clicker training. This method uses a distinct sound to mark desired behaviors, making it easier for your dog to understand what you want.
Trick #1: Respond to the Clicker
This is the cornerstone of all other training. The goal is to create a positive association between the clicker sound and a reward.
- Step 1: Click the clicker and immediately give your dog a treat.
- Step 2: Repeat this process about thirty times.
- Step 3: To maintain this association, always follow the rule: never click without treating.
Basic Obedience Commands
These fundamental commands are crucial for your dog’s safety and good behavior.
Trick #2: Name Recognition
Teaching your dog to respond to their name is vital for gaining their attention.
- Step 1: When your dog looks at you, click and treat.
- Step 2: Repeat this a few times.
- Step 3: Say your dog’s name as they look at you.
- Step 4: Repeat this process several times.
- Step 5: Call your dog by name; if they look at you, offer praise and a treat.
Trick #4: Sit
A classic command that is relatively easy to teach.
- Step 1: Wait for your dog to sit naturally. The moment they do, click and treat.
- Step 2: Repeat this several times.
- Step 3: As your dog begins to sit, say the command “Sit” just before they do, then click and treat.
- Step 4: Continue repeating this.
Trick #5: Down
This command is useful for many other tricks and for helping your dog relax.
- Step 1: Have your clicker and a high-value treat ready.
- Step 2: Observe your dog and wait for them to lie down on their own. As soon as they do, click and treat.
- Step 3: Continue waiting for them to lie down. They will start to associate lying down with receiving a click and treat.
- Step 4: Once your dog begins to lie down more frequently, you can start introducing the “Down” command just before they do so.
Trick #8: Come
This is arguably the most important command, as it can save your dog’s life.
- Step 1: Load the cue by going to your dog and giving the command you will use to call them, followed immediately by a treat. For example, say “Come, Max!” and give a piece of bacon.
- Step 2: Repeat this multiple times throughout the day, using different kinds of treats.
Trick #9: Stay
A command that teaches your dog patience and self-control.
- Step 1: Have your dog sit. Click and treat.
- Step 2: Say “Stay.” Wait for six seconds, then say “Release” and click and treat.
- Step 3: Progress to longer durations, increasing the wait time before releasing your dog.
Trick #10: Heel
Teaching your dog to walk calmly beside you without pulling.
- Step 1: Start with your dog on a leash, attached to your belt on your left side. This frees up your hands.
- Step 2: If your dog pulls ahead, do not move forward. Gently guide them back to your side.
- Step 3: Reward your dog with a click and treat when they are walking close to you with their shoulder near your leg.
Fun and Advanced Tricks
Once your dog has a grasp of the basics, you can move on to more entertaining and complex tricks.
Trick #3: Touch
This trick involves teaching your dog to touch an object with their nose, a foundation for many other actions.
- Step 1: Hold a “touch stick” (a dowel or similar object) away from you and wait.
- Step 2: Your dog’s natural curiosity will likely lead them to touch it with their nose. The moment they do, click and treat.
- Step 3: Continue this until your dog reliably touches the stick.
Trick #12: Leave It
A crucial command for your dog’s safety, teaching them to ignore tempting or dangerous items.
- Step 1: With your dog on a leash, allow them to sniff a treat, then place it on the ground a short distance away.
- Step 2: As they move towards the treat, say “Leave it” and gently restrain them with the leash.
- Step 3: When your dog looks back at you, click and treat with a different, higher-value reward.
Trick #21: Spin
A fun trick that gets your dog moving in circles.
- Step 1: Use your touch stick to guide your dog in a circular motion. As they complete a full turn, click and treat.
- Step 2: Gradually decrease your reliance on the touch stick, using a hand signal (like a circular motion with your finger) instead.
- Step 3: Once your dog can spin with the hand signal, introduce the verbal command “Spin.”
Trick #25: Roll Over
A classic show trick that requires coordination.
- Step 1: Have your dog lie down.
- Step 2: Use a lure (treat or touch stick) to guide your dog onto their hip and then onto their back. Click and treat for each stage of the movement.
- Step 3: Continue luring them to complete the roll. This may take time and patience.
Trick #27: Speak
Teaching your dog to bark on command.
- Step 1: Elicit a bark from your dog (e.g., by ringing the doorbell). As they bark, say “Speak” and then click and treat.
- Step 2: After several repetitions, try giving the “Speak” command first. If they bark, provide a jackpot of treats.
Trick #28: Hush
The opposite of “Speak,” teaching your dog to be quiet.
- Step 1: When your dog is barking, pay attention. The moment they pause, even for a second, click and treat.
- Step 2: Gradually introduce the command “Hush” as they stop barking, then click and treat.
- Step 3: Start giving the “Hush” command when they are barking and click and treat when they become quiet.
Trick #43: Count
A trick that gives the impression your dog can count.
- Step 1: Have your dog sit facing you. Hold a treat in one hand and gesture with the other.
- Step 2: Ask your dog to “Speak.” When they bark, click and treat. This associates the bark with the visual cue.
- Step 3: To make it seem like counting, you can ask them to “Speak” a certain number of times, rewarding each bark individually, or use a different visual cue for each number.
Trick #52: Bang!
A dramatic trick that combines “limp,” “crawl,” and “play dead.”
- Step 1: Have your dog perform each of the individual tricks (limp, crawl, play dead), clicking and treating after each one.
- Step 2: Combine the commands, rewarding only at the very end after all actions are completed.
- Step 3: Introduce the command “Bang!” just before giving the sequence of actions. Your dog will eventually associate “Bang!” with the entire performance.
Helpful Training Tips
- Keep commands concise: Use one or two-syllable words that are easy for dogs to identify.
- Short training sessions: Aim for sessions around 5 minutes to maintain your dog’s focus and enthusiasm.
- End on a high note: Always finish a training session when your dog has successfully performed a command or trick, reinforcing a positive experience.
Remember, consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key to successful dog training. Enjoy the journey of teaching your dog new tricks!
