With the help of tricks, you can entertain the dog and even make life easier. Having a set of non-standard skills, the dog can show the owner what she feels or thinks.
Before learning any trick, you need to start with the ability to focus on the "work". Command "Attention! ". This is an extremely useful skill for all areas of life. The easiest way is to show a treat that the dog stares at for a long time.
"Standard" tricks
Shake paw:
- Hold the treat in your fist and give it to the dog.
- We are waiting for the pet to hit his hand with his paw.
- Hold the paw and clearly give the command.
- Praise.
After mastering the technique, the dog can be taught to give the left or right paw.
Hands up. The dog sits in a column and raises its front paws to the level of the muzzle. Teaching technique:
- We seat the dog.
- With the help of treats, raise the pet in a column, hold if necessary.
- We tease the dog with a treat until it raises its paws and clearly pronounce the command.
- Praise.
Voice. The dog barks on command. Two teaching techniques:
- We tease the dog with a treat until it barks, give a command and praise.
- If you know your dog's body language well, give the command before he barks and reward him after.
Quiet. The dog stops barking on command. The training is similar, we praise the dog when it stops barking. In order for the dog to stop barking instantly, it can be distracted by a toy, game or treat.
"Household" tricks
I'm tired. Every time before stopping the activity, you should yawn or do "pulling". Within a week, the dog will learn this "sign" and will repeat it if it is tired, for example, during training.
Bring your own ball/bear/other toy:
- Choose a toy and call it only one name.
- Constantly repeat: “this is your ball”, “take the ball”, “carry the ball”.
- After 3-4 days, place the chosen toy next to other objects and ask the dog: "Bring your ball. "
- If necessary, point to the desired object with the palm of your hand.
- Praise your dog generously if successful.
Goodnight. A trick almost similar to the "Place" command. The convenience is that the dog clearly understands that it's time to sleep, and not "sit out" on the lounger for a while.
Dance moves
Freestyle is the official name for trick training. The essence of the dance, which the dog and the handler perform in sync. Some elements of dancing are very simple, they can be worked out without having a “dance” base.
Bow. The dog stretches its front legs and assumes a reclining position. Teaching technique:
- We keep the dog under the croup.
- With the help of treats, we beckon the dog forward and down.
- When the pet is stretched out, we clearly pronounce the command and praise.
Back. The dog walks backwards next to or between the owner's legs. Pretty tricky trick to do. Teaching technique:
- We put the dog next Come / Come here.
- Hold a treat above your head and slowly move backwards.
- Praise when the dog takes a few steps.
It is important not to bring the treat too far behind the head, otherwise the dog will follow the "Sit" command. To prevent sitting down, the pet can be held under the stomach.
Twist. Roundabout in front of the owner. Two teaching techniques:
- We give a command and lure the dog with a treat, provoking a turn around its axis.
- We give a command and, using a toy on a rope and a handle, we make the dog spin.
Support. The dog walks on its hind legs, leaning on a cane (umbrella). For training, it is enough to let the pet understand that it is safe and comfortable to lean on the support. It is important to hold the cane firmly so that the dog does not lose balance.
Crawl. An additional and trick command by which the dog moves in the prone position. Teaching technique:
- We put the pet.
- With the help of a treat or a toy, we beckon the dog to crawl.
- To prevent the dog from getting up, carefully hold it by the withers or croup.
- We commend you generously.
After the initial mastering of the command, the dog can be taught to crawl under special projectiles or obstacles.
Somersault. The dog rolls to the other side in a prone position. Teaching technique:
- We put the dog.
- We bring a hand with a delicacy behind the head, through the shoulder blades.
- When the pet reaches for a treat, we push a little, turn it over to one side and help it roll over.
Snake (slalom). The dog runs in a zigzag between the legs of the walking owner or through a special obstacle. Training techniques are similar – the dog must be slowly led between the bars or legs, with a treat or a toy. Be sure to give the command before the start of the performance, because when performing the "Snake" on its own, the dog must have time to assess the speed of the owner's step.
