MY DOG HAS STARTED CRAWLING WHILE IN HIS DOWN-STAY!
Now that your dog knows this cue, tell him “no crawl” to stop this behavior.
BUILD ON IT! Use this skill to perform disobedient dog (page 134).
1 With your dog in a down, show him a treat under your hand.
2 Slide the treat away from him as he crawls forward.
3 Place the treat under your foot to keep his attention downward.
easy
Touch a Target
VERBAL CUE
Target
TEACH IT:
Your dog touches an object identified as a target. This useful skill has a variety of applications in trick training as well as dog sports and movie work.
1 In an empty environment, set up a target about 6’ to 10’ (1.8 to 3 m) away. The target can be a safety cone, plunger, or other unique object preferably one that your dog won’t be tempted to take in his mouth. Show your dog as you or another person places a treat on the target. Get your dog’s attention as you do this by saying “cookie” or whichever word he understands to mean a treat.
2 Return to your dog and point in the direction of the target as you release him with the word “target!” Allow him to run to the target and eat the treat.
3 After a few successful iterations, send your dog to the target without setting a treat on it. As soon as your dog touches the target, immediately praise him and give him a treat from your hand.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Practice ten iterations per day and within a week you may be able to send your dog to a target across the room!
TROUBLESHOOTING
IS MY DOG SUPPOSED TO TOUCH THE TARGET WITH HIS NOSE OR HIS PAW?
While learning, either is acceptable. As you work with smaller and smaller target objects, your dog will find it easier to touch them with his paw, and will transition to this method on his own.
BUILD ON IT! Movie dogs use this skill to stop on a mark. Use a sheet of paper for the target. Gradually reduce the size of the paper, until a Post-it note is all that is needed.
TIP! Train your dog with a double command. “Target-sit” means to go to the target and sit.
1 Place a treat on the target.
2 Release your dog to get the treat.
3 Send your dog to the target, and reward a touch.
“I teach a dog-tricks class at the park. I show the other dogs how to do stuff.”
intermediate
Under/Over
VERBAL CUE
Under
Over
TEACH IT:
Your dog can be instructed to go either under or over any object.
1 Set up a bar jump or other obstacle at the height of your dog’s back. Since he already knows how to jump over a bar (page 108), and is assuming that is what he is supposed to do, you’ll want to begin this trick by training the under command. Set your dog on one side of the bar and lure him under by holding your treat low to the ground. Use the verbal cue often “under, good under!”
2 Watch his body language and prevent him from jumping over the bar by blocking his path with your hand or by or holding his collar.
3 Lower the bar so that your dog has to duck down or crawl to get under. If your dog jumps over the bar, place him back in his original spot, taking care to lead him around the jump rather then letting him jump back over the bar a second time.
4 Now try with another object such as your outstretched leg.
5 Alternate the “under” and “over” commands to solidify the difference in your dog’s mind.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This fun trick will keep your dog guessing as he awaits your instruction. In their eagerness, dogs don’t always listen carefully and may require a month before they can concentrate enough to get this trick consistently right.
PREREQUISITES
Jump over a bar (page 108)
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG COMPETES IN AGILITY. SHOULD I NOT TEACH THIS TRICK?
Dogs are smart and easily put behaviors into context. However, as an added precaution, you may want to teach this trick with an object other than a bar jump.
MY DOG KNOCKS THE BAR WHEN HE GOES UNDER
Some dogs use more finesse than others. Heavier objects such as tables and chairs should work well.
BUILD ON IT! It’s time for a limbo contest! Once he’s mastered under, see how low your dog can go!
TIP! Always do more unders than overs in a training session, as this will be the less instinctive one.
STEPS:
1 Set a bar at the height of your dog’s back and lure him under.
2 Block him from jumping the bar.
3 Lower the bar.
4 Try it with other objects such as your outstretched leg.
intermediate
Teeter-Totter
VERBAL CUE
Teeter
TEACH IT:
The teeter-totter is an obstacle in the sport of dog agility that is weighted unevenly so that one end defaults to the down position. Your dog runs the length of the plank, balancing while it pivots midway.
1 With your dog watching, place several treats along the length of the plank.
2 Position a friend near the high end of the plank to keep it from making sudden movements. With fingers circling your dog’s flat collar, start him at the low end and let him walk to the first treat.
3 As he continues to move forward, there will be a point at which his weight will pivot the plank. This is a good spot to place a treat, as it will slow him down. Your friend should guide the plank slowly and steadily as it pivots. Reassure him as you keep a firm grasp on his collar with his head forward. You don’t want your dog to jump off the obstacle, so lift him off if he panics. Use lots of praise and encouragement with this new and unstable obstacle, and never use force as it will heighten an already present fear.
4 Once your dog gains confidence on the teeter-totter, your friend should allow the plank to move more freely, catching it only right before it hits the ground, so as to avoid a loud bang.
5 Let your dog try it on his own as you walk alongside him without touching him. Reward him while he is standing on the very end.
6 In the sport of dog agility, and for obvious safety reasons, dogs should not run so fast that they fly off the end of the plank before it touches the ground. Teach your dog to stop at the end by using a “wait” command or a target touch (page 145).
WHAT TO EXPECT: Most dogs are a little timid their first time on the teeter-totter, but they conquer their fear quickly with praise and treats! Don’t force the issue—tomorrow is another day and your dog may feel differently about the obstacle then.
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG IS FEARFUL OF THIS OBSTACLE
Make it easier for your dog to be successful. Lay the plank on the ground and have him walk it there. Add a pencil or broomstick under the middle for a slight tipping motion.
BUILD ON IT! Try other dog agility obstacles such as a tunnel (page 143) and weave poles (page 150).
TIP! Use a squirt of canned cheese product for a treat that won’t roll off the teeter-totter!
“When my ears flip back, my owner says I have my party hat on.”
STEPS:
1 Place treats along the plank.
2 Guide your dog by his flat collar to the first treat.
3 Keep control of your dog and the plank at the pivot point.
4 Catch the plank before it bangs down.
5 Walk alongside your dog as he goes it alone. Give a treat while he is standing at the end.
6 Teach your dog to touch a target at the bottom of the teeter-totter.
expert
Weave Poles
VERBAL CUE
Weave
TEACH IT:
Weave poles, an obstacle in the sport of dog agility, have your dog weaving in and out of a series of poles. The first pole is always passed along your dog’s left shoulder, and the second along his right.
1 Start with only two poles (pointed plastic PVC poles can
be stuck in the grass). With your dog on your left, give the verbal cue, lead him between the poles, and reward him.
2 Stand parallel to the poles with your dog on your left and the poles to the left of him. Guide your dog to walk between the first two poles. Take a step forward, and reward him past the second pole.
3 Have your dog weave through a series of poles; lure him through with a treat, lead him through by his collar or short leash, or guide him through with your hand.
4 Begin with your dog a few feet behind and to the left of the first pole. Walk forward and guide him in and out of the poles by using your hand to “press” him away from you and “pull” him back.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Herding breeds tend to pick this skill up quickest and can be weaving on their own in several months. Other dogs often take six months to a year.
STEPS:
1 Guide your dog through two poles, angling so he passes the first with his left shoulder.
2 Start with your dog to the left of the poles. Reward him after the second pole.
3 Guide your dog through a series of poles using a treat, a leash, or your hand.
4 Walk alongside your dog as you use your hand to “press” and “pull” him through the poles.
advanced
Climb a Ladder
VERBAL CUE
Climb
TEACH IT:
Your dog maneuvering his front and back paws up the steps of a ladder.
1 Cover the steps of a sturdy ladder with a nonslip surface. Using a treat, lure your dog to place his front paws on one of the lower rungs. Do not touch or confine your dog, as he will want to feel he has an escape route. Raise the treat to encourage him to place his front paws higher.
2 Still luring your dog’s head upward, use your other hand to coax his back paw onto the first step.
3 Your dog is now in a precarious position, so guard his body to help stabilize him. Continue to raise the treat higher and allow him to position his front paws himself. Practice only 5 minutes per session, and allow your dog to break between attempts.
4 Once your dog is comfortable climbing the steps, place your treat at the top of the ladder to motivate a speedy ascent!
WHAT TO EXPECT: Climbing a ladder requires not only coordination and strength but also confidence. Take it slowly as a misstep or frightening experience can set your dog back.
TROUBLESHOOTING
HOW DOES MY DOG GET BACK DOWN?
Regardless of your dog’s athletic ability, you should lift him to the floor rather than letting him jump down. The potential for injury due to his twisting motion or entanglement in the ladder rungs is too great a risk.
WHAT TYPE OF LADDER SHOULD I USE?
A standard 6’ (1.8 m) painter’s ladder fits most dogs.
BUILD ON IT! Teach fetch (page 24) to have your dog retrieve at item from the top of the ladder.
TIP! Don’t take your eyes off your dog. Take it one step at a time, literally.
STEPS:
1 Lure your dog to place his front paws on a rung.
2 Lift his back paw while continuing to lure him upward.
3 Guard his body while raising the treat.
4 Place the treat at the top of the ladder as a reward.
expert
Roll a Barrel
VERBAL CUE
Roll
TEACH IT:
There are several variations of rolling on a barrel, including the dog rolling it with his front paws, his rear paws, or all four paws. He can roll it forward or backward.
ROLLING WITH FRONT PAWS:
1 With your dog at your side, steady the barrel and lure your dog upward with a treat. Reward him for placing his front paws on the barrel.
2 Do the same while standing on the opposite side of the barrel.
3 Now start rolling the barrel. A grass surface is preferable since it prohibits fast motion and provides a soft landing. Place your foot on the barrel with your leg outstretched. Once your dog’s front paws are up on the barrel, lure his head forward with a treat. Roll the barrel toward you by pulling with your foot. Praise and reward your dog for shifting his paw backward.
4 As your dog improves, use your foot to roll the barrel sporadically. Roll it a bit, and lure him forward until he rolls it a bit himself. At this point, your dog will have to comprehend a difficult concept—walking his front paws backward while his back paws walk forward!
5 If your dog stops rolling the barrel, gently tap his paws with your foot to encourage him to move them back. Praise and reward.
TROUBLESHOOTING
WHERE DO I GET A BARREL?
Fifty-five gallon plastic drums are sold at horse feed stores. Cover it with a nonslip surface such as a rubber mat. Secure the mat in place with glue and duct tape along the seam, edges, and circumference.
TIP! Increase your dog’s motivation by varying the consistency, amount, and types of treats. Sometimes, offer a goldfish cracker, sometimes nothing, and sometimes a jackpot of treats!
STEPS:
1 Lure his front paws up.
2 Now try the opposite side.
3 Roll the barrel toward you,
luring his head forward,
and reward.
ROLLING ON TOP:
1 With your dog on the opposite side of the barrel, hold it stationary with your foot and lure him on top. Be ready to steady him when he jumps. Allow him to nibble a treat from your hand, keeping your hand stable, as he will press against it for balance. Try to get him to stay on top of the barrel for as long as you can.
2 Roll the barrel 6” (15 cm) away you using your foot. Be prepared with your hand or body to block your dog from jumping off. When he takes a step forward, praise and reward.
3 Roll the barrel sporadically until your dog is doing it on his own!
WHAT TO EXPECT: This is not a trick your dog can learn in a weekend. It may take twenty sessions for him to roll the barrel with his front paws, and could take months for him to find his balance with all four paws on top. Certain breeds are better built for this trick—long-legged and top-heavy dogs will have the hardest time.
TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG JUMPS ON OR OVER THE BARREL
Use your body to block the other side of the barrel.
TIP! This exercise teaches body awareness, which is valuable for any dog.
STEPS:
1 Hold the barrel with your foot and lure your dog up.
Let him nibble a treat while on top.
2 Roll the barrel away from you. Be prepared to block your dog from jumping off.
3 With practice your dog will be doing it on his own!
Chapter 10 That Dog Can Dance!
Active people have active dogs. And if you notice your pooch has a paunch, it might be time time for some exercise … for the both of you!
The sport of canine freestyle has popularized the tricks in this chapter by chaining them together into dance sequences. Choreographed to music, you and your dog execute synchronized spins, leg kicks, and dance steps. This is a wonderful way to work as a team with your dog and develop the bond that comes from mutual reliance.
Eye contact is key to a synchronized performance. Hold bits of cheese in your mouth and spit them to your dog as a reward to encourage his attention.
Don’t underestimate the importance of your performance! Little flourishes will transform a dull series of behaviors into a lively show!
intermediate
Heel Forward and Backward
TEACH IT:
A dog at heel walks at the handler’s left side. In the sport of dog obedience, the dog automatically sits when the handler stops. In the sport of freestyle (dog dancing) the heel is less rigid, focusing more on eye contact and gait.
HEEL:
1 With your dog on a loose leash at your left side, say “heel” and walk forward, stepping first with your left foot. This step will later become your dog’s signal to heel. Always give the verbal command first, before starting your motion.
101 Dog Tricks Page 13