Despite the classic cliche, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
But teaching your dog new tricks isn’t just about showing off their skills—it’s a great way to bond with your pet, keep their mind active, and improve their behavior. Whether you have a playful puppy or a seasoned canine companion, adding a few new tricks to their repertoire can be both entertaining and practical.
Here are ten fun and useful tricks to engage their mind and make life a little easier for both of you!
Shake Hands
Teaching your dog to shake hands is a classic trick that’s always a crowd-pleaser. It’s simple to teach and can be a great way for your dog to greet new people. Plus, it’s an easy way to reinforce good behavior with a fun reward.
- Start with your dog in a sitting position.
- Hold a treat in your hand and let your dog sniff it.
- As they lift their paw to reach for the treat, gently take their paw in your hand and say "shake."
- Reward with the treat and praise. Repeat until they associate the command with the action.
Spin
Getting your dog to spin in a circle on command is a playful trick that can also help them release some energy. It’s a great way to add some fun into your training sessions, and it can be a good warm-up before moving on to more complex tasks.
- Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
- Slowly move your hand in a circular motion, guiding your dog to follow it with their head and body.
- As your dog completes the circle, say "spin" and reward them with the treat.
- Practice until they can spin without needing to be guided.
Play Dead
The "play dead" trick is always a hit, especially when you add in the dramatic flair of saying, "Bang!" Teaching your dog to lie down and stay still is entertaining and a good exercise in impulse control.
- Start with your dog in a lying-down position.
- Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it to the side, encouraging them to roll onto their side.
- As they roll over, say "bang" or "play dead."
- Reward with a treat and praise. Repeat until they can do it on command.
Fetch Specific Items
Teaching your dog to fetch specific items, like their leash or a favorite toy, can be incredibly useful. It’s also a fun way to challenge their intelligence and build their confidence.
- Begin by teaching your dog the names of different objects, like “ball” or “leash.”
- Hold up the item, say its name, and encourage your dog to touch it with their nose.
- Gradually build up to asking your dog to fetch the item from a short distance.
- Reward them each time they bring back the correct item.
Roll Over
Rolling over is another classic trick that dogs love to learn. It’s a bit more complex than the basics, but with patience and consistency, your dog will master it. This trick can also be a stepping stone to teaching more advanced behaviors.
- Start with your dog lying down.
- Hold a treat close to their nose and move it slowly toward their shoulder, encouraging them to roll onto their side.
- Continue moving the treat in a circular motion to guide them to roll all the way over.
- Say "roll over" as they complete the motion, then reward with the treat.
Bow
Teaching your dog to bow, with their front legs down and rear end up, is both cute and a good stretch for them. This trick is often used in agility training and can be a fun way to finish a performance.
- Start with your dog standing.
- Hold a treat near the ground between their front paws.
- As they lower their front half to reach the treat, say "bow."
- Reward once they hold the bow position for a moment. Practice until they can bow on command.
Open and Close Doors
Want a trick that’s both impressive and practical? Teaching your dog to open and close doors can be a helpful skill, especially if your hands are full. Start with a light door, like a cupboard, and gradually move to heavier doors as your dog gains confidence.
- Attach a small towel to a door handle or cupboard door at your dog’s height.
- Encourage your dog to tug on the towel by using a treat as a lure.
- Once they pull the door open, say "open" and reward them.
- To teach closing, hold a treat near the door and guide your dog’s nose toward it, encouraging them to push the door shut. Use the command "close" and reward them.
Stay
Teaching your dog to stay is a fundamental command that helps with safety and discipline. This is especially useful in preventing them from escaping through open doors, behaving in public spaces, and competing in canine sports.
- Start with your dog in a sitting or lying down position.
- Hold your hand out in front of them, palm facing out, and say "stay."
- Take a step back, and if your dog stays, reward them with a treat.
- Gradually increase the distance and duration before rewarding them, always reinforcing the "stay" command.
Drop It
Teaching your dog to drop items on command can be incredibly useful, especially if they grab something they shouldn’t have. Success with this command depends on starting with low-value items (like toys or random household objects) and progressing to higher-value (food, chews, etc.) to build a bulletproof "drop it."
- Offer your dog a toy or item to hold in their mouth.
- Hold a treat near their nose and say "drop it."
- When they release the item, reward them with the treat.
- Practice this regularly to reinforce the command.
Sit Pretty
Teaching your dog to "sit pretty" (sitting up on their hind legs) is an adorable trick that strengthens their core muscles. However, teaching this command to dogs with shorter legs like corgis or dachshunds is harder.
- Start with your dog sitting.
- Hold a treat just above their nose and encourage them to lift their front paws off the ground to reach it.
- As they balance on their hind legs, say "sit pretty" and reward them with the treat.
- Practice balancing for longer periods before rewarding.
Teaching your dog new tricks is more than just fun—it’s a way to deepen your connection, challenge their intelligence, and make life more enjoyable for both of you.
From practical skills like learning to stay or drop items to charming tricks like sitting pretty, each adds a new dimension to your relationship. So, grab some treats, start practicing, and watch your dog impress everyone with their new talents.
