Teaching your dog new tricks is a rewarding experience that strengthens your bond and provides essential mental and physical stimulation. Beyond just entertainment, dog training helps your canine companion develop crucial skills, improve behavior, and boost their understanding of commands. When a dog consistently understands and performs commands, they tend to behave much better around other dogs and humans, contributing to a more harmonious home environment. Incorporating a variety of commands into your routine can also make training more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. If you’re looking for fun tricks to do with your dog that are both practical and impressive, this guide will provide you with the steps to master some of the most beneficial and engaging commands.
Foundational Tricks for Every Dog
These basic commands are the cornerstone of good dog behavior and serve as building blocks for more advanced tricks. Mastering them will significantly enhance your dog’s obedience and responsiveness.
1. Sit
The “sit” command is arguably the most fundamental trick every pet owner should teach their dog. It’s an easy starting point for most dog tricks and provides a simple way to gain your dog’s attention and control their immediate actions. Once your pet has perfected “sit,” they will find it much easier to learn other commands, making the entire training process smoother and more effective.
How to teach your dog to sit:
- Lure with a high-value treat: While your dog is standing, hold a high-value treat close to their nose. Slowly lift the treat over their head towards their rear end. As their nose follows the treat, their hindquarters will naturally lower into a sitting position.
- Add the command: The moment your dog sits, say the command “sit,” immediately reward them with the treat, and offer enthusiastic praise like “yes” or “good.” Repeat this process multiple times until your pet sits reliably with just the verbal command, even without the lure.
2. Stay
Teaching your dog to “stay” is a vital command that greatly improves impulse control, especially for young pups. This trick can be incredibly useful in various situations, from keeping your dog safely by your side to preventing them from approaching strangers or other animals without permission. It teaches patience and self-control, qualities that become more ingrained as your dog grows older.
How to teach your dog to stay:
- Start with “sit”: Begin by having your dog in a sitting position. Reward them once they are seated calmly.
- Add the command: While your dog is seated, give the verbal cue “stay.” Wait for just a few seconds. If your dog remains seated and hasn’t moved, immediately say their designated release word (e.g., “O.K.”, “Break”) and reward them.
- Increase the duration: Gradually increase the time your dog must “stay” before receiving the reward. As they get comfortable, try taking a step or two away from them, returning to reward them if they hold the position.
- Release and repeat: Practice this process, progressively increasing the duration and distance. For an extra challenge, introduce mild distractions or even try leaving the room briefly. Always remember to use your release word before rewarding.
Release words are used by expert dog trainers to signal when a command is finished. Common release words include “O.K.,” “Release,” “Go,” “Break,” or “Free.” Consistency in using a release word helps your dog understand the boundaries of a command.
A dog holding a 'stay' position, exhibiting good impulse control.
3. Come
The “come” or “here” command is one of the most critical tricks to teach your dog for their safety and your peace of mind. It can prevent stressful situations, such as your pup running off or approaching potential dangers. Whether it’s to avoid a dangerous animal, a busy road, or simply to call them back when off-leash, a reliable recall is invaluable. It allows your dog to explore and sniff around while ensuring they return to you promptly when called.
How to teach your dog to come when called:
- Give them some space: Start in a quiet area, standing a few yards away from your dog.
- Add the command: Say your dog’s name clearly, followed by “come” or “here.” As they begin to move towards you, give enthusiastic positive reinforcement, cheering them on with phrases like “good dog!”
- Reward, reset, repeat: When your dog reaches you, reward them with a treat, lavish them with praise and affection. Use their release word, wait a few moments, and then practice again, gradually increasing the distance.
4. Leave It
The “leave it” command is a crucial safety trick designed to train your dog to ignore tempting items on the ground. This skill can literally save your dog’s life if they encounter something toxic, like dropped medication or harmful food. It teaches your dog to look to you for approval before consuming anything they find, preventing them from taking advantage of the “five-second rule” before it’s too late. Mastering “leave it” ensures your dog always defers to your judgment regarding what they can and cannot pick up.
How to teach your dog to leave it:
- Lure with a high-value treat (closed hand): Place a treat in your closed hand and hold it on the ground in front of your dog. Say “leave it.” Let your dog try to get the treat.
- Reward good behavior: The moment your dog stops trying to get the treat and looks at you, praise them and give them a different, high-value treat (not the one in your hand). Say their release word. Repeat this until your dog consistently ignores the treat in your closed hand.
- Open palm challenge: Once they’ve mastered the closed hand, try the same command with a treat in your open palm. If they hesitate or ignore it, reward them.
- Make it challenging: Progress to dropping a treat on the floor and saying “leave it.” Wait a few seconds, then use your release word and allow them to have it. Provide plenty of praise and positive reinforcement throughout the process. With practice, your dog will ignore temptations until you give the green light or remove the object.
A dog looking away from a treat on the floor, practicing the 'leave it' command.
5. Down
The “down” command is a versatile and essential trick for everyday life. It’s particularly useful when you need your dog to be calm and still, such as during vet visits, when guests arrive, or simply when you want them to settle down quietly. This command is often built upon the “sit” command, making it a natural progression in your dog’s training journey. A well-trained “down” can help manage over-excitement and promote relaxation in various environments.
How to teach your dog down:
- Start with “sit”: Have your dog in a sitting position in front of you. Hold a treat between your fingers where your dog can see it.
- Lure with a high-value treat: Slowly move your hand with the treat straight down to the floor. Your dog’s nose should follow the treat. Once your hand reaches the floor, slowly drag it towards you, away from your dog.
- Add the command: As your dog naturally lies down to reach the treat, say “down,” and immediately reward them. Provide extra pats and affection, then use their release word. Repeat until your dog lies down automatically with the verbal command. After mastering “down,” you can explore other neat tricks to teach your dog like “army crawl” or extended “stays.”
Impressive and Fun Tricks to Engage Your Dog
Once your dog has a solid grasp of the basic commands, you can move on to more entertaining and mentally stimulating tricks that showcase their intelligence and agility.
6. Place
The “place” command is incredibly useful for teaching your dog to settle down and relax in a specific spot. This trick is invaluable for managing problem behaviors like begging at the dinner table or jumping on guests. By giving your dog an alternative, positive action, you can proactively prevent undesirable behaviors from occurring. It provides a designated safe space for your dog to go when they need to be out of the way, promoting a calmer household.
How to teach your dog place:
- Teach the basics: Your dog should already know “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” and understand a release word.
- Introduce your dog’s place: Show your dog their designated spot (bed, crate, mat). Reward them for any interaction with it, even just sniffing or stepping on it. You can also lure them onto it with a treat.
- Add the command: The moment your dog steps into their place, say “place” and reward them. After a few seconds, use their release word to let them leave.
- Increase the duration: Gradually extend the time your dog stays in their place before rewarding. Add the “stay” command while they are in place and walk away. Return, reward, and then use the release word.
- Add a challenge: Introduce mild distractions like shaking a leash, knocking on a door, making noise, or squeaking a toy. If your dog remains in their place through the distractions, return and reward them before giving their release word. Over time, your dog will understand that “place” means to go to their spot, lie down, and stay until released.
7. Back Up
“Back up” is a unique movement trick that helps dogs learn to use their bodies in new ways, enhancing their coordination and spatial awareness. Since walking backward isn’t natural for most dogs, it’s a valuable skill that requires focused training. This fun trick comes in handy for navigating tight spaces, such as backing away from a closing door, or politely giving guests a little extra room, demonstrating excellent manners.
How to teach your dog to back up:
- Start with an open space: Choose an area with enough room for your dog to move backward, such as a hallway or an open outdoor space.
- Step, step, reward: With your dog standing in front of you, take a clear step toward them. The moment your dog takes a step backward with their hind legs, reward them with a treat and praise.
- Add the command: After several repetitions, begin to incorporate the command “back” or “back up” as you step forward. With consistent practice, your dog will associate the verbal cue with the action of backing up.
8. Shake Paws
Teaching your dog to shake paws is a classic and delightful touch trick that is relatively easy for most dogs to learn. Simple yet impressive, tricks like “shake” are wonderful for interacting with friends and family, making your dog a polite and engaging companion. It’s a charming way for your dog to greet people and shows off their training in a friendly manner.
How to teach your dog to shake hands (paws):
- Start with “sit”: Have your dog in a sitting position. Hold a small treat in your closed hand, just out of their reach.
- Add the command: Repeat “shake” while gently tapping one of your dog’s front feet with your other hand. Most dogs will naturally raise their paw to try to get the treat.
- Catch and repeat: As your dog lifts their paw, catch it gently with your hand. Say the command word again, and reward them with the treat. This helps your dog connect the command with the action. Repeat these steps until your dog automatically lifts their paw with the command. For more advanced interactions, consider exploring various tricks to teach your dog and how to execute them.
9. Play Dead (or Rollover)
While not an essential command like “sit” or “stay,” “play dead” is a highly entertaining trick that adds flair to your dog’s repertoire. As long as your dog has mastered the “down” command, they should quickly pick up this impressive skill. It’s a fun way to spruce up your pet’s abilities and surprise your audience with their theatrical talent.
How to teach your dog to play dead:
- Start with your dog in a lying position: Use the “down” command to get your dog to lie down comfortably.
- Lure with a high-value treat: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly move it sideways, encouraging your dog to roll onto their side as they follow the treat.
- Reward: When your dog is lying on their side, immediately reward them. Repeat this step several times to help your dog get used to this position.
- Add the command: Once they consistently roll onto their side, start using a verbal command like “play dead” or “bang.”
- Bonus! Incorporate a hand signal: Many owners add a hand signal, such as forming a finger gun and pointing it at their dog. After your dog associates the command (and signal, if used) with the behavior, reward them with a treat.
10. Speak
Barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, whether they’re seeking attention, alerting to other animals, or being territorial. However, sometimes pet parents need their dogs to be quiet. Teaching your pet when it’s acceptable to “speak” can be a fantastic way to develop impulse control and manage excessive barking. It gives you a tool to control their vocalizations, rather than trying to suppress them entirely.
How to teach your dog to speak:
- Lure with an enticing reward: Position your dog in front of you and make it clear you have something they highly desire, such as a favorite toy or a high-value treat.
- Wait for a response: If your dog knows other tricks, they might offer a few. Wait for them to make a noise—a whine, grumble, or bark—out of excitement or frustration.
- Mark the bark: The instant your pet vocalizes, mark the behavior with the command “speak” and reward them. Repeat this until your dog understands how to “speak” on command.
11. Take a Bow
The “bow” command often comes naturally to dogs who frequently stretch. Instead of simply saying “ooooh, big stretch” when your pet assumes this position, you can reinforce this natural behavior by using the command “bow” or “take a bow.” This elegant trick is easy to teach and adds a touch of sophistication to your dog’s skill set, making them seem even more charming. It’s one of the cool things to train your dog that utilizes their natural movements.
How to teach your dog to take a bow:
- Lure with a high-value treat: With your dog standing, hold a treat in front of their nose. Slowly move the treat down towards the floor. Their nose should follow the treat, lowering their front end while their hind legs remain standing.
- Add the command: As you lower the treat, say “bow” or “take a bow.” When your dog’s front legs are lowered, and they are still standing on their hind legs, reward them with the treat. Repeat this process until your pet performs the trick on command.
12. Spin
“Spin” is a dynamic and fun trick that incorporates movement and coordination, adding a delightful element to your dog’s repertoire. While not an essential obedience command, teaching your new dog to spin is a fantastic way to engage their mind and body. It’s an easy and entertaining trick that often brings a smile to onlookers and builds confidence in your dog as they master new movements. Learning this simple rotation can also pave the way for more complex movement-based tricks.
How to teach your dog to spin:
- Lure with a high-value treat: Hold a dog treat close to your dog’s nose. Slowly move it towards the side of their head, encouraging your dog to turn their head to follow the treat.
- Add the command: While moving the treat to the side of your pet’s head, say “spin.” Continue moving the treat in a complete circle, guiding your dog until they complete a full rotation.
- Reward and repeat: Once your dog has completed the circle and is back in the starting position, reward them with a treat. Repeat these steps until your dog performs a complete spin with only the verbal command.
Final Tips for Teaching Your Dog Tricks
Now that you have learned some of the best tricks for beginners, it’s important to remember a few essential tips that will help you along the way:
- Keep training sessions short: Dogs have short attention spans. Aim for 15 to 20-minute sessions once or twice a day to keep them engaged and prevent boredom or frustration.
- Start with basic commands: Build a strong foundation with “sit,” “stay,” and “come” before moving on to more complex or fun tricks. This creates a logical progression for learning.
- Use appropriate rewards: High-value treats, small pieces of their regular food, or even their favorite toy can be effective motivators.
- Plan training around meal times: This ensures your dog is motivated by food and prevents over-feeding them with treats.
- Be patient and consistent: Not all dogs are quick learners. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key to success. Remember, training is a wonderful way to stimulate your pet’s brain and strengthen your bond. Embrace the journey and have fun with your furry companion as you explore these 5 tricks to teach your dog and many more!
