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    Article

    5 Basic Dog Tricks Even New Pet Owners Can Easily Teach

    • 30 Sep, 2021
    • Posted by: Rose Hazel San Diego

    Training your pup can be hard but there are some tricks that I'm sure you can teach easily!

    Training your pet requires lots of patience and repetition, but I assure you, it's worth it! And it may not look like it at first, but teaching tricks to your dog will actually make them a lot happier! It's helpful for their mental stimulation and physical exercise (but of course depends on what trick you're teaching them!) It also help your dog know their place in the family which avoids getting them confused about what behavior and role they should portray. Oh, and did I mention it's a great way to bond with your dog? 

    Whether they're still a puppy or already an adult, every pup needs some obedience training to build a routine that's best for them and also for your household. Generally, trick training should not last more than 10-15 minutes once or twice a day. Make sure that you're in a good mood as well and stop as soon as you feel frustrated or impatient. Always praise your dog if they do well with words or with treats! You can also end trick training session with playtime so trick training will be linked to an activity they love to do which helps for them to see trick training in a positive way. But keep in mind that all tricks will be a lot easier to teach if your dog already knows basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and down. Once they already mastered those commands, all these following tricks will be easy for them to learn:

    Here are 5 basic dog tricks that you can surely teach your pups easily:

    1. ROLL OVER



    Roll over doesn't only look cute on the outside but can actually mean a lot of things we don't know about. This trick is actually already natural to some pups. Some dogs roll in their back when they are happy because it feels nice and to get attention. (for their favorite belly rubs!) Now in this case where you train them, it will mean that they're showing respect and trust as well a submission. 


    Follow these easy steps on how to teach roll over:

    • 01

      Put your dog in a "down" position – 

      When your dog already knows how to sit, down command will be easy. Say “down!” while pulling down on their leash so your dog’s nose (and forelegs) reach the ground.

    • 02

      Put a treat in your hand & move it slowly behind your dog's neck – The goal is to get your dog's head to turn backwards without them standing up. As their head reaches back to sniff the treat, gently roll them over.

    • 03

      Always praise your dog after a successful roll over –  

      This is one crucial thing you have to do every time they successfully do a roll over! Praising them will build the routine and make the whole experience positive for them to want to continue doing it.

    • 04

      Repeat the process – 

      As you start to roll them over again, say the command "roll" then treat them and give praise again after every successful roll. You can continuously do this for five to 10 minutes once or twice a day. They will eventually understand that the "roll" command and the rolling process are directly linked to each other. When they can roll over even without a treat, you no longer need to offer a treat. Just always praise your dog when they perform the trick correctly!

    2. SHAKE HANDS



    If you have your pup with you for a few months, this one might be familiar with you already (you might already did this!) The only catch is, add a verbal cue every time you let your dog put their adorable paws into your hands. This one's pretty easy because some dogs already do this naturally when they ask for a treat!


    Follow these easy steps on how to teach shake hands:

    • 01

      Start by putting your dog in a "sit" position – 

      Some dogs can shake hands even when standing but it's more easier and ideal to let them sit first so it will also be comfortable position for them.

    • 02

      Put a treat in your hand & slowly move it near your dog's paw – The treat will entice them to put their paw into your hand.  

    • 03

      Say "shake", shake your dog's paw, give the treat, & then praise them  –  

      As your dog raises their paw, use the verbal cue "shake," and shake their paw, give the treat, then praise them as soon as they do it successfully! .

    • 04

      Repeat the process– 

      As you teach them over and over, you can hold your hand higher each time so your dog will raise their paw higher to gain the treat. Your goal is to have them raise their paw to chest height. Eventually, you can switch to their other paw. Just always praise your dog when they perform the trick correctly and they'll eventually even do it without the treat!

    3. HIGH FIVE



    This trick will be much easier after your dog masters the shake hands trick above!  After all high fives are just raising their paws up to reach our hands instead of downwards like the shake hands trick.


    Follow these easy steps on how to teach high five:

    • 01

      Start by holding your palm out – 

      Begin by holding your palm out to where your dog can see and reach them.

    • 02

      Give the command "high five"  – As the dog hits your palm, give the verbal cue "high five."  

    • 03

      Treat and praise your dog immediately  –  

      As soon as your dog successfully does high five, give them the treat and praise them! 

    • 04

      Repeat the process– 

      Get the dog to raise its paw as high as possible and to touch your open palm as you teach them over and over. The key is to get them used to it by praising them every time they perform the trick correctly and they'll eventually even do it without the treat too!

    4. PLAY DEAD



    A lot of actors perform this with their dog but you can actually do this with your dog too! This trick may sound a bit odd but I'm sure you'll love it when you see them do this one! You'll love how obedient and playful they are with you. This is another form of the "stay" or "down" command so it will be a lot easier if your dog already know this.


    Follow these easy steps on how to teach play dead:

    • 01

      Start by putting your dog in a "stay" or "down" position – 

      It will be a lot easier for them to fall down in this position. Eventually, they can play dead even while standing up but let's start first with the easiest.

    • 02

      Hold the treat at the side of your dog's head & move it toward their shoulder – The treat will entice them and as they follow the treat, they'll eventually do the play dead position.

    • 03

      Say the verbal cue "play dead" & let them hold the position  –  

      As your dog follows the treat, say "play dead". Let them hold the position for a few seconds before giving them the treat then praise them. You can also include a hand gesture or change the verbal cue to "bang" imitating a gun.

    • 04

      Repeat the process– 

      Remember to use a release word like "okay", “all done,” “finished,” or “done” before giving your dog the treat. 

      You can opt to teach your dog to roll all the way over on their back instead of their side. Always praise your dog when they perform the trick correctly and they'll eventually even do it without the treat and to even just play with you!

    5. DANCE



    Now this one can be a little bit tricky especially for big dogs because of their size and weight (smaller breeds are typically easier to train with this trick) but it's worth it especially when you see their adorable dance plus getting them some exercise. Who knows, they may even dance with someday! But please do avoid this trick if you have a breed prone to back trouble such as a dachshund.


    Follow these easy steps on how to teach dance:

    • 01

      Start by putting your dog in a "sit" position – 

      Letting them sit first can help them get their balance as you make them go up to dance.

    • 02

      Hold a treat in your closed hand near your dog's nose – The treat will entice them to follow your hand and eventually go up.  

    • 03

      Slowly lift your hand behind the dog's head  –  

      This will make your dog looks back at your closed hand and begins to stand on its hind legs to follow the treat.

    • 04

      Say "dance" then offer praise and the treat– 

      Begin moving the treat above the dog's head in a small circle and make them twirl on their hind legs. As soon as your dog begins to step in a circle, use the verbal cue "dance" and offer praise and the treat. Bait your dog with the treat to get them to stand up and turn in a circular motion!

    • 05

      Repeat the process– 

      As you teach them over and over, your dog will eventually master balancing. Repeat the process until your dog stands quickly and sturdily on its back legs. Just always praise your dog when they perform the trick correctly and they'll eventually even do it without the treat! Praise will be enough and maybe dancing with you too!

    Conclusion





    Always remember to not rush your dog! Your dog will not be trained after one or two sessions. Work with them patiently every day. Always praise them as the steps always emphasizes at the end because this will ensure the success for every trick! The key is to make training a positive experience for them! Your dog must enjoy the process but you also must enjoy too or you'll get frustrated eventually and get tired. When you feel frustrated or impatient, remember to stop and be mindful of your actions especially not shouting and hitting them! (No to animal abuse please!) Training your dog is actually showing love and attention to them! Every minute you spend with the dog is a minute they will love! And I'm sure, you'll come to enjoy the activity especially since it's bonding with your fur baby just as much!



    Feel free to share this with your fellow pet owner friends who wants to learn these easy and adorable tricks! You can also leave a comment down below about your experiences in training your pups and some tricks you would like to recommend as well, we would also love to read them!



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