How To Train A Dog To Walk Tall

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

This is a variation of the stand tall exercise, a dog that has perfected balance is then asked to walk on his back legs.

1. This can be done by asking him to follow a treat with his nose or the end of a target stick.
2. Reward must be given frequently initially to build the confidence of a dog, this is a difficult exercise
3. Care must be taken with this exercise as it can put strain on dog’s hip joints if they are not completely healthy.

Top tip; When the balance is perfected a dog can be asked to walk tall, twist tall and also go around his handlers body, this will take time and can be physically taxing for your dog but is most impressive and great fun.

Dog trainers love this trick because it improves focus, balance and stamina for a dog. It is also quite challenging on dog training ability.

How To Train A Dog To Stand Tall

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

A great trick that can be physically taxing for older or less fit dogs, this trick is for the fittest and most physically capable of canines. For this trick your dog will learn to stand on his rear legs.

1. You will need some treats and a non-shiny floor surface to teach this trick. It is important that your dog doesn’t slip as he will lose confidence to attempt the trick a second time.
2. Hold a treat in the air above your dog’s head.
3. When he gets onto his back legs to get the treat reinforce the position and reward him with the treat.
4. Gradually increase the amount of time that your dog stands tall by gently withholding the treat, introduce the command word whilst he is in position and eventually bring it forward to prompt the trick.

Top tip; if your dog can reach the treat in your hand when standing tall you may want to stand on a box in order to increase his motivation.

Dog trainers love this trick because it improves a dog’s stamina and focus.

How To Train A Dog To Circle You

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

A trick that involves the dog circling his master’s body, this looks neat and is very impressive.

1. The easiest way to teach this trick is to lure the dog around the body initially.
2. Have your dog sit in front of you.
3. Show him a treat and then quickly pass the treat around your body, when the dog is halfway around you add the reinforcement then as he gets to the front give him the treat.
4. Repeat and add the command, gradually bring the command forward and reduce the treats.

Top tip; when the dog has perfected the Circle me trick you can spin in the opposite direction to him, this makes the trick extra impressive.

Dog trainers love this trick because it is easy to teach but can be added to a sequence of heel work or obedience to add flair to any routine.

How To Train A Dog To Weave

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

This trick looks very intense and is indeed an expert example of teamwork; a walking handler is joined by a keen dog weaving through his masters legs.

1. Have your dog on your left hand side, show him a treat in your right hand then lift your right leg for him to go through and fetch the treat.
2. As he goes through your leg reinforce the action with your normal reinforcement method (voice or clicker)
3. Take another step forward and lure your dog back through you left leg with another treat in your left hand
4. Continue this while walking.
5. Add the command and gently reduce the treats.

Top tip; Begin slowly and build up to walking normally to build the confidence of your dog.

Dog trainers love this trick because it looks so smooth and easy when perfected.

How To Train A Dog To Roll Over

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

A dog that is laying down in front of you can easily and quickly be taught to roll over onto his back then return to his stomach in a quick 360 degree turn. A quick trick that can fit in perfectly with many other maneuvers

1. Ask your dog to lie down facing you
2. Take a treat and move it from the end of his nose, down his neck and over one of his shoulders, his head will automatically turn and your dog will if applied correctly roll over onto his back.
3. When he is on his back bring the treat, moving in the same direction, back to his nose and your dog will roll directly over back to his stomach. At this point you can reinforce the movement whilst your dog is still rolling back onto his stomach.
4. As he lands back on his stomach reward the position.
5. Add the command word and repeat the act whilst gradually removing the lure.

Top tip; You can use this technique to teach roll left and roll right, but teach them separately to avoid confusing your dog.

Dog trainers love this trick because it can also be used to teach a dog to roll in his blanket, an impressive enhancement to canine bedtime

How To Train A Dog To Do The Commando

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

A dog that crawls along on his belly is easy to teach even though this looks like a complicated trick.

1. Ask your dog to lie down and place a treat near the end of his nose.
2. Slowly move the treat away from him, so that he tries to follow it. It’s important to begin teaching this really slowly as the one thing that you must avoid is your dog getting up from the position of laying down.
3. Even if your dog moves a tiny distance with his stomach completely on the ground then you can reinforce and reward this action. If he stands up then you are going to quick and must begin again.
4. Gently increase the speed and distance of the dogs crawl then introduce the command word. Eventually increase the distance by asking your dog to wait in the down position taking a step away and holding a treat on the ground then use the command word to call him.

Top tip; if your dog gets up you have moved on too quickly, go back to the beginning and rebuild the trick

Dog trainers love this trick because it is simple to teach yet looks like a complicated behavior. The dog can then be taught to crawl under things, which is also an extremely cute trick.

How To Train A Dog To Pick Up A Stick

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

Any dog that will pick up a walking stick and pass it to his handler is impressive. Added to a dance routine it can be even more remarkable. This trick can be easily achieved by expanding on the previous targeting technique.

1. When your dog can touch the stick on command place it down in front of him and wait for him to touch it.
2. He will probably touch the stick a few times on the end and then attempt to work out why it’s not providing him with a reinforcement and reward. He will try other things to get the reward and if you ignore everything else then he will make a slight move to attempt picking up the stick.
3. Reinforce and reward these attempts until he actually picks up the item then add the command.
4. This may take some time and patience but eventually your dog will be picking up the stick and with further encouragement you can swap it for a treat with him.

Top tip; if your dog does not like the feel of the stick and is reluctant to pick it up you can help by wrapping some soft tape around it in the area that you would like him to pick it up.

Dog trainers love this trick because teaching a dog to pick up any item is simply a prelude to the dog picking up many more items, this can be a very useful exercise.

How To Train A Dog To Follow A Target Stick

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

A target stick is a great prop for a heelwork to music with your dog. It can be incorporated into the routine as a walking stick or umbrella. A target stick is brilliant for both directing your dog and as part of other more complicated tricks.

If your dog is targeted to the end of a stick he will follow it with his eyes and body in order to attempt to provoke a reward from you. This is an impressive act alone but will also open many doors for training further tricks.

1. Decide on a stick then place it on the floor in front of your dog, a walking stick or umbrella is fine.
2. Place a small treat at the end of the stick that you would like your dog to focus on
3. When your dog takes the treat, at the second he touches the stick, offer the reinforcement and reward.
4. Repeat the previous two stages until your dog is taking the treat from the stick and then looking to you for a second reward, at this point introduce the command. I would simply use the word stick.
5. Repeat many times until the dog touches the stick on command.
6. Now you can move the stick around, begin gradually and build up your dog’s confidence, soon you will be able to walk with the stick and your dog will touch it on command.

Top tip; Take things at your dogs pace, a moving stick can be daunting to touch so go easy on him and build his confidence gradually.

Dog trainers love targeting a canine to a stick because it opens up so many options when training a dog to do tricks.

How To Train A Dog To Twist

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

Twist is a great trick which consists of teaching a dog to spin, on all four feet, in a circle in front of his handler.

1. The easiest way to teach this trick is to offer a treat as a lure. Hold the treat at the dogs nose the take it around the body of your dog encouraging him to follow.
2. When the dog gets halfway around and is on the way back to facing you reinforce his position and give him the treat.
3. After the dog has followed your hand a few times raise the treat gradually higher and begin to introduce the command word.
4. Steadily as your dog is learning bring the hand above his body and eventually he will be able to twist with just a flick of your wrist.

Top tip; the dog can be taught twist left or twist right by using different command prompts. Teach one at a time though otherwise your dog may become confused.

Dog trainers love this trick because it’s easy to teach and great to lift the confidence of a dog in training.

How To Train A Dog To Walk Backwards

This tutorial is part of The Ultimate List Of Dog Trick Ideas which contains 99 other tricks like this!

A set of ten tricks that can be taught individually or as part of a sequence to create longer routines, heelwork to music has become increasingly popular and even become winning acts in TV talent shows.

These tricks will break down the wonder that is a dancing dog into easy stages for you to learn with your pet.

Reverse

The act of the dog walking backwards whilst facing his handler, this is made even neater if the handler simultaneously walks towards the dog which gives the impression of dancing.

1. Stand in front of your dog with a treat and ensure that he is standing up and facing you
2. Keep facing your dog but encourage him to concentrate on you then take a step backwards. When your dog steps forwards reward him with your voice then step back towards him, as he takes a step backwards reinforce the step and give him the treat.
3. You can progress from this first step gently and reinforce each extra step as your dog progresses. Then add the command word gradually bringing it forward until your dog recognizes its meaning.

Top tip; if your dog bends in the middle whilst learning the reverse it may be easier to practice next to a wall.

Dog trainers love this trick because it teaches the dog to focus his mind on his handler whilst also carrying out another physical task.