101 Dog Tricks
Page 11
TEACH IT:
In the same way that you jump rope, your dog hops the rope as it is swung. Have two people hold the ends of the rope, or hold them both yourself as you jump with your dog.
1 Position your dog on a doormat or piece of carpet. Practice jump for joy (page 175) with your dog landing on the mat. Gradually work farther away from your dog, so you are able to stand several feet away while he continues to jump on the mat.
2 Using a 7’ (2 m), loose, lightweight rope, affix one end to an object at waist height. With your dog on the mat, slowly swing the rope back and forth to accustom your dog to it.
3 Cue your dog to jump for joy and attempt to swing the rope beneath him. Do not attempt a complete rotation with the rope. At first, reward your dog for jumping, whether or not the rope was successfully passed beneath him. Your dog will have to learn the rhythm of the rope. In the meantime, the timing of your cue will be essential to a successful jump.
4 Once your dog is able to clear the rope, it’s time to add a second swing! If your dog has a long air time, or is shorter in body, you can swing the rope slower. Concentrate on swinging the rope low and sweeping it beneath him.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick can take the quickest learner months to achieve. Synchronization is key to your success, and it will take time for you and your dog to get on the same wavelength. Practice in short sessions, keep up the enthusiasm, and one day you’ll find your dog is jumping rope! Once you’ve mastered a fixed-end rope jump, try holding both ends yourself, with your dog facing you.
PREREQUISITES
Jump for joy (page 175)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG JUMPS TOWARD ME AND OFF THE MAT
As he takes off to jump, make a move toward him, crowding him back. Reward him for landing on the mat.
MY DOG ISN’T JUMPING HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE ROPE
Try practicing with a hula hoop or stick. Your dog will feel it bump his ankles when he doesn’t jump high enough.
STEPS:
1 Practice jump for joy landing on a mat.
2 Familiarize your dog with the rope.
3 Cue jump for joy and swing the rope beneath your dog.
4 Add a second swing—or a second dog!
easy
Beginning Disc Dog
VERBAL CUE
Frisbee or catch
TEACH IT:
Your dog’s prey drive is engaged as he chases and catches a flying disc.
1 Use a flying disc specifically designed for a dog, such as a Hyperflite® or Frisbee® Fastback brand soft plastic disc, or a flexible Aerobie® Dogobie or Soft Bite Floppy Disc®. Hard plastic toy discs could injure your dog’s mouth and teeth. Hold it parallel to the ground, fingers curled under the inside edge, with your index finger slightly extended. With shoulders perpendicular to your target, pull the disc across your body, take a step toward your target, and bring your arm across your body. Snap your elbow and wrist just before you release the disc.
2 Do not allow your dog free access to his disc—keep it hidden away to increase its desirability. When your dog is in a playful mood, spin the upside-down disc in circles. When he shows interest, throw a “roller”—rolling the disc along its edge like a wheel. End the play session while your dog’s interest is still high.
3 Once your dog is chasing the disc, encourage him to bring it back to you by clapping your hands and calling to him to come (page 19). If he does not come, do not chase him but rather turn your back and ignore him.
4 Teach your dog to catch the disc in midair by throwing it in a low, flat trajectory. Do not throw it directly at your dog.
5 Your dog needs to drop (page 26) the disc after he returns to you. Try using two identical discs and throwing the second as soon as he drops the first.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Don’t be discouraged if your dog does not immediately master an airborne catch, as it could take months to establish this coordination. Dogs under fourteen months should not be jumping for the disc, and all dogs should be checked by a veterinarian to ensure soundness. Dogs should jump in such a way that they land with four paws on the ground, rather than vertically, which can stress their spine and rear knees.
BUILD ON IT! Increase the difficulty by learning disc vault off my leg (page 122)!
TIP! 30 to 50 pound herding breeds are natural disc doggers!
“I like to chase my Frisbee. I jump up and chomp it. Gotcha!”
STEPS:
1 Good throwing form will send the disc in a low, flat, trajectory. Hold it parallel to the ground, fingers curled under the inside edge, with your index finger slightly extended.
2 Spin the disc to attract your dog’s interest.
Roll the disc along its edge.
4 Teach your dog to catch a disc in midair.
advanced
Disc Vault off My Leg
TEACH IT:
Your dog catapults off your raised thigh to catch a flying disc.
1 The first step is to combine two skills that your dog already knows: jump over your knee (page 109) and catch a disc (page 120). Assuming you are right handed, kneel with your dog on your left side and your right leg raised. Use your right hand to tap the disc on your thigh and then hold it high and to your right, encouraging your dog to use your thigh as a jumping platform to reach the disc.
2 Once your dog is vaulting off your leg and taking the disc from your hand, start making small tosses. Remember to first tap your thigh with the disc to signal your dog.
3 Stand flamingo style, with your heel against your lower thigh. Start with your dog taking the disc from your hand and work up to small tosses. Now he’s really getting air!
WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick requires accurate timing and placement of the disc, and it will be a learning process for both you and your dog. Keep your dog’s motivation high by quitting with him still wanting more!
PREREQUISITES
Beginning disc dog (page 120) Jump over my knee (page 109)
BUILD ON IT! Once you’ve mastered leg vault, try a chest vault or back vault!
TIP! A thigh wrap from a sporting goods store will protect you from scratches.
STEPS:
1 With your dog on your left, raise your right knee.
Have him lunge off your knee, grabbing the disc.
2 Start making small tosses.
3 Stand flamingo style for a greater challenge.
Chapter 8 Jumping through Hoops
Flaming hoops of death (actually hula hoops adorned with orange ribbon) are no match for your courageous canine, as he leaps and flies with confidence through spinning and rolling and paper-covered hoops!
The great thing about hoops is that any dog can learn tricks that use them and, with a little imagination, there is no end to the variety of tricks that can be composed with them: rolling hoops, circled arms for hoops, hoops lying on the ground, hoops over your back, under hoops, over hoops, little hoops, big hoops, and even two hoops!
Once learned, your dog will remember this skill forever. Dogs easily make the connection between other circular objects, such as the tire obstacle in the sport of agility and even your circled arms. Wherever you are, you can improvise a circle and delight your friends!
easy
Hoop Jump
VERBAL CUE
Hup
TEACH IT:
Your dog jumps through a hoop, either fixed in place or handheld.
1 Remove the noisy beads within a toy hula hoop to make it less frightening for your dog. Hold the hoop on the ground with the hand closest to your dog, tell him “hup,” and lure him through with a treat in your other hand. Praise him when he is through the hoop and allow him to have the treat. Some dogs are frightened to go through the hoop for the first time, in which case you can lead him through with a leash. To prevent your dog from going around the hoop, try placing it in a doorway.
2 As your dog gets the idea, begin to raise the hoop off the floor. Dogs sometimes get tangled in the hoop, so be prepared to release it if you feel r
esistance.
3 Assuming your dog has the physical ability, raise the hoop again so that your dog must jump to get through it. Try giving him a running start or use your hand on the opposite side of the hoop to lure him upward. To reduce the risk of injury associated with your dog turning in midair, make a habit of tossing the treat in front of your dog rather than having him return to you for it.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Dogs usually get the hang of hoop jumping within a few weeks and do it enthusiastically. Decorate your hoop and use creative positions to enhance your performance.
TROUBLESHOOTING
THE HOOP FELL ON MY DOG AND NOW HE IS FRIGHTENED OF IT!
Dogs pick up on your energy. Don’t coddle your dog, just proceed with the lesson.
TIP! End your session on a happy note—ask you dog for a trick he already knows, and reward him for his brilliance!
1 Lure your dog through with a treat.
2 Raise the hoop off the floor.
3 Toss the treat as your dog jumps.
intermediate
Jump through My Arms
TEACH IT:
Your dog jumps through a large circle formed by your arms.
1 Warm up with a few hoop jumps (page 125).
2 Gradually widen your arms around the hoop as your dog continues his jumps. Be careful to keep your head out of the way.
3 Continuing in the same session, set aside the hoop and cue your dog to jump through your arms only. A larger dog may require your hands to be disconnected. If your dog resists, go back to using the hoop.
4 Be creative; your dog can learn to jump through circles made with your arms or legs.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Dogs often take two steps forward and one step back with this trick. They may jump through your arms on the first day, but may require you to pick up the hoop the next day for a refresher.
PREREQUISITE
Hoop jump (page 125)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG IS TOO BIG TO FIT THROUGH MY ARMS
Widen your arms to allow space between your hands, or hold a flying disc or rope between your hands.
MY DOG JUMPS THROUGH THE HOOP, BUT IS RELUCTANT TO JUMP THROUGH MY ARMS
Some dogs are apprehensive about jumping close to your arms and head. Try alternating between the hoop and arm circles.
BUILD ON IT! Once he’s mastered jump through my arms, it’s only a short leap for your dog to learn hoop jump over my back (page 132)!
TIP! If your dog accidentally hurts you, don’t let on! He’ll be reluctant to perform a trick he fears might injure you.
STEPS:
1 Warm up with hoop jumps.
2 Widen your arms around the hoop.
Keep your head out of the way as you widen your arms further.
4 Form circles with other body parts.
advanced
Double Hoop Sequence
VERBAL CUE
Hup
TEACH IT:
Your dog runs circles around you jumping hoops in each of your arms.
HOOP CIRCLE:
1 With your dog facing you, hold treats in your left hand behind your back, and a hoop in your right hand to your side. Tell your dog to “hup” and reward him with a treat from your left hand behind your back.
2 Pass the hoop to your left side and tell your dog to “hup” again, this time rewarding him in front of you from your right hand (a treat bag at your waist is convenient).
3 Introduce a second hoop. Without a free hand to guide your dog, the turn of your head will signal the correct hoop. Lean your left hoop on the front of your legs, and hold your right hoop to your side. Look toward the right hoop and move it slightly to emphasize it over the other hoop. Instruct your dog to jump through, and when he does, say “good” but do not offer a treat. Instead, immediately lower your right hoop to lean on the front of your legs and hold out the left hoop, turning your head in that direction and coaching your dog to go through. When he goes through your left hoop, give him a treat (it’s OK to drop the hoops at this point).
4 When you are ready to try three jumps in succession, help your dog with his third jump by holding your right hoop angled in toward him after his second jump. Remember, your head turn will help guide him to the correct hoop. Always end the sequence with your dog passing through the left hoop, as you have eye contact in this position and will have fewer surprises.
PREREQUISITES
Hoop jump (page 125)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG KNOCKS THE HOOPS EACH TIME, INSTEAD OF JUMPING CLEANLY
Your dog is cheating the jump. Take a step away from him right before he jumps, to encourage a powerful take-off.
TIP! Your dog always starts at your left, which means his hoop circle will be clockwise.
“Sometimes, I perform at the circus and wear a sparkly cape. There’s lots of peanuts at the circus. I like peanuts.”
STEPS:
1 Hold the hoop at your right and give a treat behind your back.
2 Pass the hoop to your left side and reward in front.
3 Lean the left hoop against your legs.
Lean the right hoop against your legs.
4 Angle your right hoop for the third jump.
VERBAL CUE
Hup
TEACH IT:
Your dog crossing back-and-forth jumping hoops as you walk.
HOOP WEAVE:
1 This trick will look a lot like a leg weave (page 170). Start your dog on your left side as you use your right hand to hold a hoop against the front of your right thigh. Step with your right leg as you tell your dog to “hup!”
2 Immediately transfer the hoop to your left hand and hold it against your left thigh as you take a step. If your dog has trouble jumping in this direction, use your right hand to hold the hoop (still against your left thigh) and lure your dog through with a treat in your left hand. Practice until your dog can do a sequence of back-and-forth jumps as you walk forward.
3 It’s time to introduce a second hoop. With your dog on your left, have your left hoop pressed against the front of your body so that your dog is seeing only its edge. Extend your right hoop forward on your right leg and have your dog jump through. As soon as he is through, reverse hoop positions to have your right hoop pressed against the front of your body as you take a step with your left foot.
4 Finally, keep both hoops parallel as you extend first one and then the other hoop while walking. Keep the nonactive hoop centered against its closest leg, so that your dog cannot jump through it.
WHAT TO EXPECT: As you train these tricks you will likely realize how debilitating it is to not have a free hand with which to signal. Eye contact is a powerful communication tool—use it! Dogs with a good hoop jump can pick up this variation in a matter of weeks.
PREREQUISITES
Hoop jump (page 125) Helpful: Leg weave (page 170)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG DOES TURNS CLOCKWISE AFTER BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT HOOP
Your dog should turn to his left after jumping the right hoop, and vice versa. In this case, speed up your motion at the tail end of your dog’s right hoop jump. Over time, he will learn to make a left turn in order to catch your next hoop.
TIP! Beware. Automobile antifreeze is lethal to dogs, even in amounts as small as a few licks. Dogs are often attracted to its sweet taste.
STEPS:
1 Hold the hoop with your right hand against your right thigh.
2 Step with your left leg. Lure your dog through with your left hand.
3 Hold the nonactive hoop flat against the front of your body.
Reverse hoop positions.
4 Hoops are parallel. The nonactive one is centered against your leg.
expert
Hoop Jump over My Back
VERBAL CUE
Hup
TEACH IT:
This trick combines a hoop jump with your dog jumping over your back.
1 Use a large hoop for this trick, so your dog has enough room to get through. Warm
up with a few hoop jumps (page 125).
2 Kneel down next to the hoop, with the arm closest to your dog encircling the bottom portion of the hoop. Gradually encroach into the circle with your head and shoulder.