101 Dog Tricks
Page 5
TEACH IT:
Your little helper will carry your purse or bag as you walk.
1 Knot the straps of your purse or bag, so your dog won’t become entangled. Put a handful of treats inside and close it.
2 Hand your purse to your dog and have him take it (page 24).
3 Walk a few steps while telling him to “carry” and patting your leg to indicate he should come with you. If he drops the purse, do not pick it up but rather point to it and instruct him again to “take it.” Your dog should only be allowed to release the purse to your hand and should not merely drop it on the floor.
4 Praise your dog as you take the purse and give him a treat from inside. When he realizes treats are inside the purse, he will be less likely to abandon it if he gets bored.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Retrieving breeds naturally enjoy walking around with things in their mouth and will likely be carrying your purse within a week.
PREREQUISITES
Take it (page 24)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG WON’T TAKE THE PURSE OR HE IMMEDIATELY DROPS IT
If your dog is willing to take other objects, the issue may be with this particular purse. Dogs resist some textures such as metal or embellishments and smells including perfumes and cigarettes. Leather purses are a favorite.
MY DOG SOMETIMES DROPS THE PURSE AS WE WALK
Once your dog has been charged with carrying your purse, he is responsible for it until you accept it back. Sometimes, your dog will put it down for a minute to swallow or scratch—do not judge too harshly, but insist that he pick it back up.
MY DOG CHEWS THE PURSE
Hunting breeds are bred for soft mouths, while other breeds may be more prone to chewing. With any dog you’re probably going to get some teeth marks on your purse eventually. Try to think of them as “character marks!”
MY DOG TRIES TO GET THE TREATS OUT OF MY PURSE HIMSELF
The treats need to be inaccessible. Try a zippered pouch.
TIP! Dogs ascertain objects that have importance to you: purse, wallet, cell phone, car keys. They will enjoy the responsibility of carrying these items.
STEPS:
“Sometimes, I get to carry the car keys. I can make the alarm go off if I bite the keychain just right!”
1 Put a handful of treats in your bag.
2 Have your dog “take it.”
3 Pat your leg and encourage him to follow you.
4 Pull a treat from your bag for a reward.
expert
Tidy Up Your Toys
VERBAL CUE
Tidy up
TEACH IT:
When tidying up, your dog opens his toy box lid, puts his toys inside, and closes the lid. First, teach the skill of putting the toys into the toy box and add to the trick later by teaching the opening and closing of the lid.
PUTTING AWAY THE TOY:
1 Scatter a few plush toys around the room and instruct your dog to fetch (page 24).
2 When your dog returns with a toy, offer him a treat held a few inches above the open toy box. As he opens his mouth for the treat, the toy should fall right in. Praise this success!
3 As your dog improves, stand behind the toy box with your treat tucked away. When your dog returns with a toy, point to the toy box and instruct him to drop it (page 26). At first, reward each successful drop in the box, and later require several toys to be deposited before rewarding.
OPENING THE LID:
1 Attach a thick, knotted rope to the toy box lid on the edge nearest the opening. The rope should be long enough so that when your dog pulls it from behind he is not hit by the lid.
2 Set your dog behind the toy box and instruct him to pull on the rope (page 73). At first, reward any rope pull, but as your dog improves he should be required to pull the lid completely open.
CLOSING THE LID:
1 Kneel down holding the lid straight up and encourage your dog to nose or paw it. When he does, allow the lid to fall closed and reward him. Lay a dish towel across the rim of the toy box to avoid a frightening slam.
2 Next, open the lid completely and instruct your dog to “close it.” He will try a variety of actions such as nosing it, pawing it, or pulling the rope. Help him be successful by lifting the lid a few inches and encouraging him to put his nose underneath.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Once all three elements have been taught, practice them in sequence: open the lid, put away the toys, close the lid. Add this trick to your dog’s daily chores, and you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood!
PREREQUISITES
Pull on a rope (page 73)
Fetch (page 24)
Drop it (page 26)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG IS SOMETIMES CONFUSED AND TAKES TOYS OUT OF THE BOX!
Your dog is eager to please! “Whoops!” will alert your dog that a mistake has been made.
MY DOG WANTS TO PLAY WITH THE TOY, AND NOT DROP IT
Use less desirable toys.
“I always tidy up my plush toys first and my rubber chicken last. I don’t know why, that’s just what I do.”
STEPS:
PUTTING AWAY THE TOY:
1 Have your dog fetch a toy.
2 Offer a treat above the open toy box.
OPENING THE LID:
2 Instruct your dog to pull on a rope.
Require him to pull it completely open.
CLOSING THE LID:
1 Hold the lid straight up and have your dog paw it closed.
2 Open the lid completely so your dog will have to use his nose to close it.
expert
Roll Yourself in a Blanket
TEACH IT:
Your dog takes his blanket in his mouth and rolls over, wrapping himself up. He finishes with his head down, ready for night-night.
1 Select a blanket about two times the length of your dog. Note the direction your dog predominately rolls. If he rolls onto his left shoulder, face him and instruct him to lie down (page 16) on the blanket so that the majority of it is to his left. Bunch it up near his head so it will be easier for him to grab.
2 Lift the corner of the blanket and cue him to take it (page 24). Praise and reward him quickly when he takes the blanket in his mouth. Be sure to only reward if you take the blanket from his mouth, and not if he drops it on his own. Encourage him to stay down while being rewarded.
3 Once he is able to take the blanket and hold it, cue him to roll over (page 31). Dogs often release the object in their mouth when instructed to rollover. If this happens, offer neither praise nor reprimand—simply put your dog back and try again.
4 After a rollover is achieved with the blanket still in his mouth, instruct your dog to put his head down (page 56).
WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick is deceptively difficult, as your dog will need to execute each behavior perfectly in order to wrap himself up. As your dog progresses, give the “night-night” verbal cue at the beginning, and then each individual cue. In time, you will drop the individual cues.
PREREQUISITES
Down (page 16)
Take it (page 24)
Roll over (page 31)
Head down (page 56)
TIP! Practice other commands while your dog holds something in his mouth: take it, spin or take it, down.
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG WON’T TAKE THE BLANKET
You’ve probably never instructed your dog to “take it” while in the down position before. Start with him standing, have him take the blanket in this position, and continue holding it while he lies down.
BUILD ON IT! Learn say your prayers (page 42) and wave good-bye (page 202 to have your dog bid good night before rolling up in his blanket.
“I have a friend next door. His name is Bear and he doesn’t wear a collar and gets to sleep outside.”
STEPS:
2 From a down position, instruct your dog to “take it.”
3 Have him roll over while holding the blanket.
He should hold the blanket throughout the roll.
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4 Head down finishes the trick.
Chapter 4 Funny Dog
Laugh and your dog laughs with you … even if you’re laughing at him! One of the joys of dog cohabitation is the unabashed silliness your dog infuses into everyday life. Just as obedience is a crucial part of a successful living arrangement with a dog, so too are silly tricks an integral part of the bonding process.
If you want your dog to be well behaved and obey your commands, take an obedience class. But if you want your dog to honk a horn, play the piano, pick your pocket, and hide his head under a cushion then read this chapter! People won’t be able to resist laughing as your playful pooch entertains a crowd with his antics!
Although these tricks look like pure silliness, they are based upon sound training techniques that utilize your dog’s intelligence and coordination. Enjoy your funny dog!
intermediate
Honk a Bike Horn
VERBAL CUE
Squeak!
TEACH IT:
Your dog bites the rubber ball of a bike horn.
1 Encourage your dog to play with a favorite squeak toy. Say “squeak!” and praise him when he produces the sound.
2 This time hold the squeak toy playfully toward him as you encourage the squeak. Keep hold of the toy in one hand, and reward him with the other when he squeaks.
3 Continuing in the same session, offer the ball end of a bike horn in place of the squeak toy. Use an excited tone of voice as you encourage your dog to “squeak!” When he produces any sound, immediately give him a treat.
WHAT TO EXPECT: If your dog is a squeak toy enthusiast, he can pick up this trick in a day. It’s a great trick for waking up the kids or whenever things are too quiet around the house!
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG DOESN’T BITE THE HORN HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE A SOUND
The bike horn is firmer than a squeak toy, so you may have to cheat at first and squeak the horn with your thumb as your dog mouths it. He will soon learn that the sound is the desired effect.
TIP! Some human foods can be poisonous for dogs: chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, raisins and grapes, potato peelings, tomato leaves and stems, and turkey skin.
1 Say “squeak” when your dog’s toy makes a sound.
2 Hold his toy and tell him to “squeak!”
3 Use your thumb to help honk the bike horn.
easy
Peekaboo!
TEACH IT:
In peekaboo, your dog peeks out from between your legs.
1 Position yourself with your back to your dog, legs apart.
2 Reach through your legs with a treat, and lure your dog forward until he is between your legs.
3 Allow your dog to lick and nibble at the treat in your hand. Praise him with “good peekaboo,” and try to keep him in this position for 10 seconds.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Practice ten times per day, and within a week your dog should be understanding this trick. Don’t be surprised if this becomes his favorite way of getting your attention!
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG BITES MY HAND AS I LET HIM NIBBLE THE TREAT
Address this issue separately. Tell your dog “easy” as you allow him to take treats. If he is too rough, bop him on the nose, and say “ouch!” to let him know he hurt you.
MY DOG IS SCARED TO BE BETWEEN MY LEGS
Your dog is putting himself in a submissive position between your legs, which requires trust. Do not force him—allow enough leash for him to back out.
MY DOG IS VERY SMALL
Kneel with your knees apart to have your dog peekaboo through that smaller space.
BUILD ON IT! Once you’ve mastered peekaboo, build on this skill with leg weave (page 170), and chorus line kicks (page 176).
TIP! Save the word “no” for when your dog is naughty. Give either positive feedback or no feedback when teaching a new trick.
“Once, I peekaboo’d the delivery man and he said I should buy him dinner first.”
STEPS:
2 With your back to your dog, show him a treat.
Lure him through your legs.
3 Keep him in position by allowing him to nibble a treat.
Extend the length of time he stays in this position before rewarding.
easy
Doggy Push-ups
TEACH IT:
With paws planted, your dog does push-ups by alternating between lying down and standing up. Time to turn your couch potato into a hot dog—drop and give me twenty!
1 With your dog lying down (page 16) at your side, command him to “stand” while luring him up and forward with a treat. As soon as he rises, praise him and give him the treat.
2 If your dog does not respond to the food lure, use your foot to gently prod him under his belly. Reward him for standing.
3 Stand directly in front of your dog, alternating a stand and down cue to produce push-ups. Use the hand signal as well as verbal cue and for each action.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Gradually increase the number of push-up repetitions before rewarding your dog. With a solid down skill, your dog can be doing push-ups like a pro within a week!
PREREQUISITES
Down (page 16)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG CREEPS FORWARD EVERY TIME HE DOES A PUSH-UP
A polished push-up has little or no movement of your dog’s feet. Falling back in this manner is called a “concerto” down. Practice this body movement by putting a barrier, such as an ex-pen fence, directly in front of your dog.
TIP! A treat bag at your waist offers quick access to rewards.
“Some of my favorite treats are noodles, hot dogs, string cheese, goldfish crackers, meatballs, green beans, and carrots.”
STEPS:
2 From a down position, lure or prod your dog to stand.
3 Once your dog is able to stand on cue, have him alternate between a down…
and a stand…
to practice doggy push-ups!
advanced
Act Ashamed
TEACH IT:
Your dog hides his head in shame under a blanket or cushion.
1 Using a cushion that is affixed to a chair back or sofa, show your dog a treat and place it underneath, near the front. Encourage him to “get it!”
2 Gradually place the treat farther toward the rear of the cushion, so that your dog has to bury his entire head underneath to get the treat. Introduce the verbal cue.
3 Continuing in the same training session, cue your dog in the same way, but without placing a treat under the cushion. As your dog sniffs around underneath, reach under the cushion from the rear, and give your dog a treat. As he improves, hold the treat in your fist for a second, instructing him to “wait, wait” before releasing it.
4 Have your dog hold his head under the cushion for a few seconds before reaching down and giving him the treat, releasing it under the cushion.
WHAT TO EXPECT: It is especially important in this trick to reward your dog while he is in the correct position. Rewarding him any place other than under the cushion will cause him to develop a habit of pulling his head out early to check for his treat. It is also preferable that you stand behind the chair, so as not to tempt your dog to pull his head out to look at you.
TROUBLESHOOTING
WHILE UNDER THE CUSHION, MY DOG IS CONSTANTLY SNIFFING
Tell your dog to “wait, wait” and as soon as you hear the sniffing stop for a full second, give him a treat.
MY DOG JUST PUSHES THE CUSHION INSTEAD OF GETTING UNDER IT
Use a larger cushion or have its back edge affixed.
TIP! In dog trainer vernacular “cookie” means a food treat. “Do you want a cookie?”
“Once, I ate a whole ham bone and then threw up. It was great.”
STEPS:
1 Place a treat under the cushion.
2 Place the treat farther toward the rear of the cushion.
3 As your dog sniffs, reward him from behind the chair.
4 Have your dog wait for his
reward.
Your dog can now act ashamed on cue!
expert
Limp