101 Dog Tricks
Page 8
FORWARD:
1 Walk backward.
2 Lure your dog’s paws up.
Move the treat to coax him forward.
3 Stand on the opposite side of the cart.
Over time, lighten your grasp.
Soon he’ll be shopping on his own!
expert
Bring Me a Tissue
TEACH IT:
Your sneeze is your dog’s cue to fetch a tissue from its box for you. When you have finished with it, your dog can even toss it into the waste can.
FETCHING THE TISSUE:
1 Secure a box of tissues to a low table or the floor using duct tape. Wiggle the exposed tissue and tell your dog to “take it” (page 24).
2 Move a little away from the tissue box. Point to it and say “Achoo! Fetch!” Encourage your dog along the way, then instruct him to “give” (page 26) or trade him a treat for the tissue.
3 Try it while sitting in a chair. Try moving the tissue box to different places. Phase out the extraneous commands until your only cue is “Achoo!” Hold the treat in your hand as you do the hand signal to keep your dog focused.
DISPOSING OF THE TISSUE:
4 While sitting in a chair with a wastebasket at your side, crumple the tissue and hand it to your dog, saying “take it, throw it away.”
5 Point to the wastebasket with a treat in your pointing hand, while repeating “throw it away.” As your dog comes closer to sniff the treat, instruct him to “drop it” (page 26). When he drops the tissue, drop your treat into the wastebasket and let him get it. By giving the treat in the wastebasket, he will be eager to stick his nose in there, increasing his chances of dropping the tissue in the correct place.
6 As your dog improves, move the wastebasket farther away.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Fetching the tissue is usually easier to teach than disposing of it. Although the basics may be taught in a few weeks, performing the trick with only one verbal cue will be more difficult. Just think of how impressed your guests will be when you sneeze and your dog comes running in with a tissue!
PREREQUISITES
Fetch/Take It (page 24) Drop it/Give (page 26)
TROUBLESHOOTING
WHILE I WAS OUT, MY DOG EMPTIED THE ENTIRE TISSUE BOX!
Some dogs find this incredibly fun! Be thankful your playful pooch hasn’t discovered the toilet paper roll!
MY DOG DROPS THE TISSUE
Go back and work on fetch (page 24). If your dog drops the fetch item, do not pick it up, but rather encourage him to bring it the rest of the way to you.
THE TISSUE STICKS TO MY DOG’S LIPS WHEN HE TRIES TO THROW IT AWAY
The tighter you ball up the tissue, the easier it will be for your dog to release it. You can also slip a rock into the tissue ball.
MY DOG TAKES THE TISSUE FROM THE BOX DIRECTLY TO THE WASTE CAN
Make sure he sees your treat as you do your sneeze hand signal. Hold eye contact draw him in to you.
STEPS:
FETCHING THE TISSUE:
1 Tape the tissue box to a table and have your dog “take it.”
2 Point to the box and say “achoo! Fetch!”
3 Sit in a chair and use your hand signal.
Trade your dog a treat for the tissue.
DISPOSING OF THE TISSUE:
4 Hand the crumpled tissue to your dog.
5 With a treat in your hand, point to the wastebasket.
Drop the treat in the wastebasket.
6 Move the wastebasket farther away.
Chapter 6 Let’s Play a Game!
G-o-a-l! The crowd goes wild as your canine athlete scores one for the team! Nicknamed the Flying Fido, your dog will shoot, dunk, catch, and block his way into the heart of your entire neighborhood once he learns how to participate in your games. He’s sure to be the first one picked on your team!
What do friends do on their weekends off? They play sports! Whether it’s flag football in the park or foosball in the game room, sporting competition has always been a shared bond between best buds. Now, with these tricks, your canine companion can be included in your games.
Whether he’s partial to the pigskin, a fan of the free throw, or has a super slap shot, your dog can learn the rules to these popular sports and play alongside you.
Playing a game with your dog builds communication skills as well as establishes rules that will penetrate throughout your relationship. Think of yourself as a coach while teaching these tricks. Use energy and motivation in equal parts with discipline and authority. The game should be a reward in itself, and your dog will be required to follow rules in order to get this reward. Be fair, be honest, and be patient. Every big-league star started in the pee-wees and your dog will start there, too.
Let’s go outside and play!
intermediate
Soccer
VERBAL CUE
Soccer
TEACH IT:
Sports fans are sure to get a kick out of your superstar dog as he goes for the goal by rolling a soccer ball into a net.
1 A treat ball toy sold in pet stores is a hollow plastic ball with a hole that, when rolled, randomly releases treats. Fill it with kibble or goldfish crackers and allow your dog a few days to play with it on his own. It will likely become a favorite toy.
2 Point to an empty treat ball and tell your dog “soccer!” When he rolls the ball a few feet, toss a treat near the ball for him to find.
3 Gradually require longer roll times before rewarding, and switch to rewarding from your hand instead of tossing the treat.
4 Substitute a soccer ball, giving the same verbal cue and rewarding for a short roll. Gradually build up the distance.
5 Is your dog ready to try a goal? Set a distinct line in front of the net, such as the edge of a concrete surface next to a grass field. Run excitedly with your dog and encourage him to push the ball past this line. When he does, reward him immediately.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Dogs often learn to roll the treat ball on their own quickly. There can be some confusion when transitioning to the soccer ball requiring you to switch back and forth between the two. Practice daily and in a few weeks your dog can be on his way to the World Cup!
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG SKINNED HIS NOSE!
With a brand new treat ball, or a very enthusiastic roller, a dog can develop scratches on his nose. Check his nose often and inspect the ball for snags.
MY DOG PAWS AT THE SOCCER BALL INSTEAD OF ROLLING IT
Your dog is frustrated and not understanding what you want. Go back to using the treat ball, but put only one kibble in it. Your dog will hear that there is something in it, but the kibble will take a longer time to come out. Reward your dog for rolling it with treats from your hand.
TIP! Freeze some chicken broth into ice cubes for a hot weather treat.
“Here’s my favorite game: chasing bumper. Here’s my other favorite game: chasing frisbee.”
STEPS:
1 Fill a treat ball with kibble.
Let your dog play with it on his own.
2 Using an empty treat ball, toss the treat to your dog when he rolls the ball.
3 Transition to rewarding from your hand.
4 Reward a short roll with a soccer ball.
5 Set a distinct goal line for your dog to cross.
advanced
Football
VERBAL CUE
Hike
TEACH IT:
Your dog will play both center and receiver as he hikes the football between his legs and then goes long for the catch.
1 Drop a plush football in front of your dog and tell him to “hike!” He won’t know what you want, but your excited tone will encourage him to try different things: picking it up, dropping it, throwing it in the air, barking, bringing it to you, pawing it. When he touches it with his paw, mark that instant by exclaiming “good!” and quickly giving him a treat.
2 Gradually require him to paw harder at the football in order to earn the treat. Continue to mark the instant he produc
ed the desired behavior by exclaiming “good hike!”
3 Chain several behaviors together: have him drop (page 26) the football, bow (page 164), “hike,” and then catch (page 92) after you throw it. Your dog’s possessiveness of his toy may lead him automatically to cover it with his paws when doing his bow. If not, your dog will learn in time that “hike” comes after “bow” and will cover the ball in preparation for this next cue.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick can be frustrating for you and your dog at the beginning, as he needs to experiment with different behaviors until he stumbles upon the desired one. Your timing in marking the instant he gives the behavior is crucial. Have patience; with consistent training your dog could become a gridiron great!
PREREQUISITES
Drop it (page 26)
Take a bow (page 164)
Hockey goalie (page 92)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG’S HIKE LACKS FORCE
Some dogs tend to push the football through their legs rather than fling it. Withhold treats until your dog gets frustrated and flings it hard. Then give him a jackpot—a whole handful of treats!
TIP! Dog training is a lesson in self control—your self control.
STEPS:
1 Encourage your dog to play with a football and reward him for touching it with his paw.
2 Require your dog to paw at it harder to earn the treat.
3 Play a game by having your dog drop it,
bow,
hike,
and catch!
expert
Basketball
VERBAL CUE
Dunk
TEACH IT:
Your dog will slam dunk the competition when he nets the basketball. Add a second dog for competition, or challenge your friends!
1 Set the net of a toy basketball stand low enough that your dog can reach it while standing on four paws. Toss a toy basketball for him to fetch (page 24).
2 Coax him toward a treat held against the backboard while telling him to “dunk.”
3 As he reaches toward the treat, command him to “drop it” (page 26). He should release the ball into the net as he opens his mouth for the treat.
4 At first, reward him for dropping the ball anywhere near the net. As he improves, require a successful basket before rewarding.
5 Challenge your dog further by tapping the backboard instead of holding a treat against it. As your dog progresses, the verbal cue “dunk” will come to mean the entire action of fetching the ball and dropping it in the net.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Practice this trick ten times per session, keeping the training energetic and fun. Within a few days you’ll likely see some progress. Real athletes will be able to stand on their hind legs to reach a higher net. Now that’s a slam dunk!
PREREQUISITES
Fetch (page 24)
Drop it (page 26)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG’S BASKETBALL KEEPS MISSING THE NET
Your dog’s initial success in making the basket is largely dependent on the timing and placement of your reward. Watch his head and hold the treat in a location that will cause the ball to fall in the net when your dog opens his mouth for the treat.
BUILD ON IT! Two nets, two dogs, and a bucket full of balls make a rousing game of dog basketball!
TIP! The more it feels like a game, the more enthusiastic learner you will have.
“I wear rubber boots when I do basketball halftime shows. They make me run funny and they’re sticky.”
STEPS:
1 Toss a basketball for your dog to fetch.
2 Coax him toward a treat held against the backboard.
3 As he reaches for the treat, the ball should drop into the net.
5 Soon your dog will be slam dunking on his own!
easy
Hockey Goalie
VERBAL CUE
Catch
TEACH IT:
Your hockey goalie dog will ice the competition as he positions himself in front of the net to catch anything whacked his way!
1 Most dogs will learn to catch on their own; we are now just associating a word with that action. Select an object that is easy for your dog to catch, such as a plush toy. Play keep-away with it for a minute, then toss it to your dog and say “catch!” Praise him, repeating the cue “good catch, good catch.” Treats are not used in this trick, as catching is a self-rewarding activity.
2 Have your dog sit (page 15), while you back up and toss the toy to him. Vary the toys and balls, cueing “catch” each time.
3 Now it’s time to place the net behind your dog and whack the ball to him with a hockey stick. You don’t want to hurt your dog, so use soft, easy to catch balls that are too large to be swallowed.
4 After catching your shot, your dog will probably engage in a victory lap around the yard. The trick now is to get him to position himself back in front of the net. With a cleverly placed target object (page 145) in the center of the net, cue him to touch the target. As soon as he does, yell “catch” and whack the ball to him, which serves as his reward.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Ball-crazy dogs will play hockey goalie for hours. The real work could very well be in honing your skills as a shooter!
PREREQUISITES
Target (page 145)
TROUBLESHOOTING
IS IT NORMAL FOR A DOG TO STAND THERE AND WATCH THE BALL HIT HIM ON HIS HEAD?
This sometimes happens. You probably shouldn’t toss the ball directly at him, just in case he’s not in a catching mood.
TIP! Tennis ball crazy? Excessive mouthing of tennis balls can cause damaging tooth wear. Rubber balls are a better alternative.
STEPS:
1 Toss a plush toy for your dog and say, “catch!”
3 Incorporate the net and stick and hit a soft ball toward your dog.
4 Touching a target will bring him back in front of the net.
Reward your dog with another ball!
intermediate
Hide-and-Seek
VERBAL CUE
Find
[person’s name].
TEACH IT:
Your dog holds a stay while you find a hiding spot. Upon yelling a release word, he comes looking for you!
1 Hide-and-seek is a game, not an obedience drill. Make it fun for your dog with high energy and laughter! Position your dog in a sit-stay (page 15 and 18) and walk to the other side of the room. Call your dog to come (page 19) and reward him with a treat.
2 Again put your dog in a stay, and walk just outside the room. Call him enthusiastically to “find [your name]” and praise and reward him when he does.
3 Choose a more difficult hiding spot, such as behind a door. Call to him loudly when you are settled in your spot. Your dog will use his keen canine nose to sniff you out!
4 Is the game getting too easy for your dog? He can actually smell the path to your hiding spot. Make it more difficult by walking into several rooms before choosing your final spot.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick is a wonderful combination of fun and learning! Discipline is practiced in your dog’s stays, and he gets to hone his scent-tracking abilities. Most dogs love this game and will sniff you out quicker than you can count to twenty!
PREREQUISITES
Stay (page 18) Come (page 19)
TROUBLESHOOTING
WHEN I LEAVE THE ROOM, MY DOG CHEATS AND BREAKS HIS STAY!
Check back on him periodically and return him to his original spot if he has moved. When your housemate is cooking dinner, set your dog in the kitchen so his stay can be enforced.
BUILD ON IT! Switch the game around. Learn go hide (page 96) to have your dog do the hiding while you seek.
TIP! This trick also helps your dog learn your name.
STEPS:
1 Position your dog in a sit-stay, and then call him to “come.”
Treat this like a game, and not an obedience drill.
2 Hide just outside the room and call to your dog to “find [your name]!”
Praise your dog
for finding you.