You’ve mastered “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Come.” Your dog is an obedience all-star, and you’re both ready for a new challenge. Learning advanced dog tricks is the perfect way to take your training to the next level. Not only are these skills impressive to show off, but the process of teaching fun tricks is a rewarding journey that provides mental stimulation and deepens the bond with your dog.
This guide will show you how to get started with trick training dogs, provide step-by-step instructions for some cool tricks for dogs like the roll over trick, and introduce you to the world of dog agility tricks.
Why Go Beyond the Basics? The Benefits of Trick Training Dogs
Engaging in dog skills training offers benefits that go far beyond just having a well-behaved pet:
- Mental Stimulation: Training new tricks is a fantastic mental workout for your dog, which can be just as tiring and fulfilling as a long walk. A mentally stimulated dog is a happy, well-behaved dog.
- Strengthens the Bond with Your Dog: The process of learning and succeeding together builds a foundation of trust and clear communication. Your dog learns to look to you for guidance and praise, making your relationship stronger than ever.
- Improves General Obedience: Dogs who are confident and engaged in trick training tend to be more attentive and responsive to their basic obedience commands.
The Core Principles of Dog Skills Training
Before you start, remember the golden rules of training:
- Positive Reinforcement: Always use high-value treats, praise, and a happy tone.
- Keep it Short and Fun: Limit training sessions to 5-10 minutes to prevent your dog from getting bored or frustrated.
- Break it Down: The key to teaching advanced dog tricks is to break each skill into small, manageable steps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cool Tricks for Dogs
Here are instructions for three of the most popular advanced dog tricks.
1. The Shake Paw Trick
This is a great place to start because it builds on a dog’s natural curiosity.
- Ask your dog to sit.
- Hold a high-value treat in a closed fist. Present your fist to your dog.
- Your dog will likely try to get the treat by pawing at your hand. The moment their paw touches your hand, open your hand and give them the treat.
- Once your dog is consistently pawing at your hand, add the verbal cue “Shake.” Say the word, and then present your fist.
- With enough practice, you can get a shake without a treat in your hand.
2. The Roll Over Trick
This is an impressive advanced dog trick that requires a patient, step-by-step approach.
- Start by asking your dog to lie down.
- Hold a treat by your dog’s nose and use it to lure them into a C-shape, encouraging them to roll onto their side. As soon as they are on their side, reward them.
- Next, continue the lure over their back, encouraging them to complete the full roll. Use a clicker or praise to mark each small movement in the right direction.
- Once they can complete the full roll using the lure, add the verbal cue “Roll Over.”
3. The Play Dead Trick
This is a favorite among cool tricks for dogs and builds on the “down” and “roll over” commands.
- First, ask your dog to lie down.
- With a treat in hand, lure them onto their side, as you would for the beginning of a roll over.
- As they lie on their side, say your cue word, like “Bang!” or “Play Dead,” and give them a treat.
- Gradually increase the amount of time they have to stay still before you give them the reward.
Next-Level Dog Agility Tricks
For dogs that thrive on physical challenges, consider an introduction to dog agility tricks. This involves skills like weaving through poles, jumping over hurdles, or balancing on a beam. These skills require specialized equipment but are a fantastic way to engage a high-energy dog and take your training to the next level.
Conclusion
Learning advanced dog tricks is a fun and rewarding journey for both you and your canine companion. By using positive reinforcement and breaking down each skill into manageable steps, you’ll provide your dog with valuable mental stimulation and strengthen the bond with your dog for years to come.