101 Dog Tricks
Page 9
3 Choose more difficult hiding places, such as behind a door.
advanced
Go Hide
VERBAL CUE
Go hide
TEACH IT:
When you tell your dog to “go hide,” he hides behind any object. A big dog trying to hide behind a skinny pole is always good for a laugh!
1 This trick is picked up easiest by toy-motivated dogs. Get your dog excited with a game of fetch (page 24).
2 Set a large object, such as an upturned picnic table, in your play area. Show your dog a treat and tell him to “go hide” as you toss it behind the table. Praise him for going behind the table, then immediately get his attention and toss his toy into the yard. The toy serves as his reward, while the treat is merely used to cause him to go to the correct place.
3 Wean off the treats as you just tell him to “go hide” and point to the table. Your dog may only go half way to the table, in which case walk toward him as you keep pointing and cueing. You may even have to walk all the way to the table to get him to go behind it Don’t reward him with his toy until he is in the correct spot. The toy is his incentive, and the more he wants it, the quicker he will learn.
4 Once he is hiding behind the table, try other objects. Point to a tree or the corner of a building and have him hide there.
WHAT TO EXPECT: You may have already witnessed this behavior in your dog as he stalks prey. Toy-motivated dogs can be hiding within a few weeks. Require your dog to be well hidden before getting his reward, or he will develop a habit of peeking or inching forward.
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG ISN’T INTERESTED IN TOYS
Is he interested in treats? Have him hide and then toss a treat to him. Be sure to toss the treat, rather than having him come back to you for it, as that would encourage him to come out of his hiding spot.
TIP! Remove your sunglasses. Eye contact is key to training.
2 Toss a treat behind the table and tell your dog to “go hide.”
3 Wean off treats as you point to the table and say “go hide.”
Reward your dog with a toy.
intermediate
Which Hand Holds the Treat?
TEACH IT:
When presented with your two closed fists, your dog sniffs each and indicates which hand holds the treat.
1 Using a treat with a strong smell, such as hot dogs, place it slightly exposed in one of your two fists. Face your dog with your fists at his chest height. Ask him “which hand?” and encourage him to “get it!”
2 When your dog shows interest in the correct hand, either by nosing it for a few seconds or pawing it, say “good!” and open your hand to allow him to take the treat. Repeat with the treat in the other hand.
3 If your dog shows interest in the wrong hand, tell him “whoops,” open that hand to show him it is empty, and stop the trick. Wait 30 seconds before trying again so that there are negative consequences to his incorrect choice.
4 Increase the difficulty by covering the treat entirely with your hand, while still leaving an air hole for your dog to sniff.
5 Wait until your dog is consistently choosing the correct hand before changing his indicator requirement from nosing your fist to pawing at it. Keep your fists low to the ground. When your dog has indicated his choice with his nose, pull your other hand back and encourage him to paw at your correct hand by saying “get it!”
WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick involves two of your dog’s favorite things: using his nose and getting treats! Dog’s usually catch on pretty quickly, but achieving a high rate of accuracy will require your dog to calm down and take this task seriously.
TROUBLESHOOTING
I THINK MY DOG IS JUST GUESSING
Overly zealous dogs will be in such a hurry to get the treat that they paw at the first hand they see. Try holding your fists up above your dog’s head so he can sniff them but not paw them. After he has sniffed both, tell him to “wait,” lower your hands, and then ask “which hand?”
MY DOG SCRATCHES MY HAND
Let your dog know he hurt you by saying “ouch! Cut it out!” Gloves may be helpful until he has mastered this trick.
BUILD ON IT! Once you’ve mastered which hand, increase the difficulty by giving your dog three choices in shell game (page 102)!
TIP! Groom your dog often to help prevent skin disease.
1 Present your fists to your dog and encourage him to “get it!”
2 Reward your dog for showing interest in the correct hand.
intermediate
Easter Egg Hunt
VERBAL CUE
Scent
Find it
TEACH IT:
Your dog holds a sit-stay while you play Easter bunny, hiding colored eggs or treats around the house. Release your dog to find as many as he can!
1 Place your dog in a sit-stay (page 15 and 18). Hold a treat to his nose and tell him “scent” to indicate the scent he is to search. Place the treat a few feet away on the floor and send him to “find it!” Praise him when he does.
2 Repeat this game again, placing the treat a little farther away. Always return to your dog before releasing him from his stay as he may otherwise develop a bad habit of sneaking while you are out of sight.
3 Place the treat out in the open, in the next room. Many dogs will use this opportunity to try to sneak into your room (thinking you won’t notice!). Have a friend monitor your dog, or return to him frequently to ensure he stays put. If your dog seems confused, encourage him by running with him toward the treat. Increase the difficulty of hiding places as your dog improves. Monitor his success, as you don’t want him to become frustrated and give up. Try hiding spots higher off the ground, such as on a coffee table or stairs.
4 Hide several treats around the house at one time, and see how many your dog can find.
5 Try this game with a colored egg or ball. Hold the ball to your dog’s nose and tell him “scent.” Hide it in an easy spot, and when he finds it encourage him to bring it back to you for his treat.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This is a favorite trick for dogs, as they love to use their nose and enjoy the hunt! Vegetables as hidden treats offer a low-calorie alternative and are just as much fun. You can expect your pooch to catch on to the concept within a week.
PREREQUISITES
Stay (page 18)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG GIVES UP TOO QUICKLY
The object is not to outwit your dog, but to make him successful. Progress slowly so your dog builds confidence in his ability. Over time, he will enjoy greater challenges. Strong smelling treats will also be easier to find.
CAN I PLAY THIS WITH EASTER EGGS?
Absolutely! Show your dog an egg as you tell him to “scent,” and send him on his way. Be warned—the eggs may be eaten before they make it into the basket!
TIP! Consistently hide eight treats before dinnertime. Your dog will come to inherently know the number of treats to be found, and you will have several minutes of peace while preparing his dinner.
“I looooove this game! I know all the hiding places and can find all the treats before my owner is finished making my dinner.”
STEPS:
1 Hold a treat to your dog’s nose and tell him “scent.”
Place the treat a few feet away.
Send your dog to “find it!”
3 Place the treat in the next room and run with him to find it.
4 Hide several treats and see how many your dog can find.
5 Hide a ball instead of a treat.
Reward your dog for bringing the ball back.
expert
Ring Toss
VERBAL CUE
Ring it
TEACH IT:
Your dog maneuvers rings onto an upright pole.
1 Introduce your dog to the pole by tapping it and saying “target” (page 145). Practice the target skill a few times by rewarding your dog each time he touches the pole.
2 Plastic diving rings can be purchased at pool
supply stores. Hand your dog a ring and have him take it (page 24). You’ll want him to hold the north side of the ring, with it circling his chin.
3 With the ring in his mouth, cue your dog to touch the target.
4 Once your dog is able to touch the target while holding the ring in his mouth, offer his treat near the top of the pole and instruct him to drop it (page 26). Reward your dog for dropping the ring anywhere near the pole.
5 As your dog improves, reward him only for dropping the ring onto the pole. Tap the pole to focus his attention and lure his head forward with a treat until the bottom of the ring catches on the pole. Tell him to “drop it” and immediately praise him and give him the treat if the ring lands on the pole. If the ring misses the pole, say “whoops!” and try again.
6 Once your dog has mastered this skill, ask him to pick up the ring from the ground or from another pole instead of from your hand. He might pick it up holding the south side of the ring, which will probably cause him to miss the pole. Through trial and error he will discover on his own that he needs to hold the north side. If he does pick up the south side, he will learn to relax his grip, allowing the ring to swivel downward. Dogs are very smart!
WHAT TO EXPECT: Although this trick looks incredibly difficult, dogs often pick it up easier than you would expect! Practice only about five times per session in the beginning, as it can be frustrating for your dog. Remember to end with a successful attempt.
PREREQUISITES
Take it (page 24)
Target (page 145)
Drop it (page 26)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG GETS THE RING ON THE POLE, BUT IMMEDIATELY TAKES IT OFF AGAIN
Your dog is excited and forgetting to let go of the ring. When he gets the ring partially on the pole, hold your finger to the top of the pole to prevent him from removing the ring. He’ll quickly get the idea.
BUILD ON IT! This skill can be translated into dropping a coin into a piggy bank or maneuvering the ring onto your extended arm.
STEPS:
1 Identify the pole as the target.
2 Hand your dog the ring by its north side.
4 Offer a treat near the top of the pole.
5 Focus his attention to the pole until the bottom of the ring catches.
Instruct him to “drop it.”
Reward your dog for getting the ring on the pole.
6 Have your dog pick up the ring from another pole.
Vary the trick by holding the pole yourself.
expert
Shell Game
VERBAL CUE
Find it!
TEACH IT:
In this classic con game, a pea is placed beneath one of three shells. After the con man quickly shuffles the shells, the audience bets on which one hides the pea. No sleight of hand can trick your nosy dog as he sniffs out the pea!
1 Start with just one clay flower pot on the floor. Rub the inside with a treat to give it lots of scent. Let your dog watch as you place a treat on the floor and cover it with the pot. Encourage him to “find it!” (page 98.) When he noses or paws the pot, praise him and lift it to reward him with the treat.
2 After your dog catches on, which shouldn’t take long, hold the pot in place and keep encouraging him until he paws at it. Tap his wrist or use the word “shake” (page 23) to give him the idea to use his paw. Reward any paw contact by lifting the pot. Strive for a soft paw indication and do not allow your dog to tip the pot over by himself.
3 Add two more pots and mark the scented one so you don’t forget! In a soft voice, tell your dog to “find it!” Tap the first pot to direct his nose there, and then the second, and third. If your dog paws at an incorrect pot, do not lift it, but rather say “whoops” and encourage him to keep looking. Use the pitch of your voice to calm your dog as he diligently sniffs each pot and to excite him when he shows interest in the correct one. If your dog loses interest, quickly lift and set back down the correct pot to show him the treat. Hold the pots firmly in place while your dog sniffs to prevent him from pawing one over by himself.
4 Place the pots on a low table for an added challenge. Place a treat under one and shift them all around. Your dog should indicate the correct cup with a soft paw.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Scenting tricks can be mentally tiring for your dog. Be gentle with your negative feedback. Only practice a few times per session and end with a successful attempt.
PREREQUISITES
Easter egg hunt (page 98)
Helpful: Which hand (page 97)
Helpful: Shake hands (page 22)
TROUBLESHOOTING
CAN I USE CUPS INSTEAD OF FLOWER POTS?
Clay flower pots work well because their weight and shape prevent them from overturning too easily. Convenient scent holes encourage your dog to sniff the top instead of the base, reducing sliding across the table—cups can overturn or smash when pawed.
TIP! Monitor the amount of treats you give and deduct it from your dog’s dinner.
STEPS:
1 Place a treat under a pot. Lift it when your dog noses it.
2 Hold the pot in place until your dog paws at it.
3 Add two more pots. Hold them in place and direct your dog to sniff each.
Quickly show him the treat if he loses interest.
4 Shuffle the pots on a low table.
Your dog should indicate the correct pot with a soft paw.
intermediate
Dog on Point
VERBAL CUE
Point
TEACH IT:
Pointing prey is an instinctive behavior that you may have already observed in your dog. When on point, the dog’s stance is frozen with body outstretched and tense, erect tail, alert ears, and foreleg lifted with foot curled slightly into their body.
1 Rather than training this trick during your normal training session, be observant of a time when your dog exhibits this behavior naturally. If you catch him staring intently at a bird, tense your body and crouch down to further engage his pack hunting instinct. In a low voice, build his intensity by saying “what is it? Are you gonna get it?” Move in close but do not attempt to go ahead of him, as this can cause him to break. Your goal is to keep him in this intense position as long as possible.
2 Train outdoors as it is a more stimulating environment. Toss around your dog’s favorite ball to build his drive. Hold him by his collar and toss the ball several yards. Use as few words as possible so as not to distract him while you get him to stay (page 18) while standing.
3 Walk over to the ball while keeping your eyes on your dog, enforcing his stay. Bat the ball around to pique his interest. Release your dog with “OK!” to pounce on his prey. Because his release will come at random times, he will learn to tense his body and point in anticipation of the pounce.
4 As your dog improves at holding point, encourage good form by stroking the underside of his tail and tapping his paw.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Sporting dogs and high prey-drive dogs will take to this trick easiest, while gentle dogs may never show the intensity required to attain a rigid point.
PREREQUISITES
Helpful: Stay (page 18)
TROUBLESHOOTING
WON’T THIS ENCOURAGE MY DOG TO CHASE SMALL ANIMALS?
Pointing and chasing are two different things. Seeking and pointing are self-rewarding activities, and the chase need not be involved.
1 Notice when your dog naturally stares and build his intensity.
2 Hold your dog’s collar as you toss his toy.
4 Encourage good form.
easy
3-2-1 Let’s Go!
VERBAL CUE
3-2-1 let’s go!
TEACH IT:
You and your dog hold your mark as you count down from three. On the cue of “let’s go!” you race off together shouting and barking and causing household havoc!
1 When your dog is in a happy and excited mood, hold him by his collar at your left side. Crouch down as if you are about to sprint and in a suspens
e-building drawn-out tone say “threeeeee…”
2 Your dog will likely be very excited and try to break away. Hold his collar and tell him to stay (page 18). Use a coaching tone, as opposed to a commanding tone, as you want to keep him excited for the release.