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Puppy Academy: Easy Tricks to Teach Your Dog
There's nothing more adorable than a dog parent celebrating the moment when their dog finally learns a new trick or command. Teaching your pup tricks is a wonderful way to bond, build trust, and keep their minds engaged as part of a successful, happy, and healthy lifestyle. If you're a new dog parent or a seasoned one, you're sure to love these easy tricks to teach your dog. Here at The Chateau, Minots favorite pet-friendly apartment community, we have put together a list of our favorite tricks to teach your dog we call it puppy academy. Lets get started!
Why Teach Tricks?
Teaching your dog tricks is one of the best ways to bond with them, and it's not just about getting them to listen to you. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs who learn tricks through consistent positive reinforcement have higher confidence levels and are easier to manage. Learning tricks is a mental engagement to prevent boredom while simultaneously giving dogs a sense of achievement.
You don't need any special tools or professional training to get started - just your time, your investment, and some treats.
Sit - The Beginning of All Training
If you're new to teaching commands, "sit" is the easiest one to implement. It's the basis of training in general with dogs, and it's respectful of structured training that you can use as building blocks for other commands.
How to teach your dog to sit:
1. Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose.
2. Slowly move your hand up in the air. As your dog's head goes up for the treat, their backside will go down.
3. The second your dog is sitting, say "sit" and reward them with a treat.
Repeat this multiple times a day in shorter increments (so your pup doesn't get bored). Once they learn it, start weaning off the treat and relying on verbal praise.
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Shake or Paw - A Crowd Favorite
There's nothing cuter than shaking hands with your dog, and it's sure to earn laughs from any family or friends you have over. It's one of the easiest tricks to teach your dog because it's so darn cute.
How to teach your dog to shake:
1. Ask your dog to sit.
2. Holding a treat in a closed fist, allow them to sniff.
3. When they raise a paw, it's because they're curious about the treat, so acknowledge their paw by saying "shake" and holding their paw in your hand.
4. Reward with a treat and praise.
Dogs learn this quickly because it involves natural movement. After a day or two, they may spontaneously start doing it.
Spin - Super Easy
Dogs of all ages love this super-easy trick because it adds a little pizzazz to training sessions while also teaching movement that helps coordination.
How to teach your dog to spin:
1. Hold a treat close to your dog's nose.
2. Take that treat and circle it around.
3. Once they turn all the way around, say "spin" and reward them with the treat.
You can eventually teach your dog to do it either way. This will be a great way to show off at the dog park.
Lie Down - An Easy Calming Command
Once you've conquered "sit," "lie down" is an easy next step. This trick is a calming action, which is great for when guests come to your home or they're getting groomed.
How to teach your dog to lie down:
1. Have your dog sit.
2. With a treat in hand, lower the treat toward the ground while they follow it with their head.
3. The second they lie down, say "down" and reward. According to the Humane Society, keep this session relatively quick, as some dogs are still learning patience for calmer responses, so frustration doesn't occur.
Roll Over - An Advanced Move
Once your dog has learned how to "lie down," you can build on that command by teaching them how to "roll over."
How to teach your dog to roll over:
1. Ask your dog to lie down.
2. With a treat by their shoulder, guide it over to their back.
3. The second their body naturally rolls over, say "roll over" and give them a treat.
Take your time when you first teach this to them. Many dogs don't want to roll because they fear they'll get stuck. Do this on softer surfaces to make it fun and encourage them for that good feeling.
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Leave It - Very Important for Space
"Leave it" may not seem like a trick along the same vein as other tricks, but it's a very helpful command that prevents dogs from picking up harmful items while walking or even eating something nasty that they shouldn't be eating.
How to teach your dog to leave it:
1. Have one treat closed in one hand and another treat opened in your other hand.
2. Have your dog's nose close to the closed fist treat and say "leave it."
3. The second they back off the treat in your closed fist, reward them with the opened treat.
Dogs learn this with practice as they gain self-control once they realize that ignoring the less fortunate option gets them better goodies.
Tips for Success
● Short sessions are best (five or ten minutes).
● Utilize positive reinforcement through treats (or verbal praise) after every command.
● Use an area without distraction so they're focusing on you and what's going on.
● End on a positive note.
Once you feel comfortable teaching these commands (and the commands from your dog), try combining commands (like "sit", "shake", "spin") for added fun! You can also use these tricks to teach your dog more complex tricks. Do this by breaking it down into smaller steps, like "sit," "down," and add another one. An example would be teaching your dog "up," and teaching them to jump up a certain number of times based on your command.
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Your Home for Training Success
While you're busy teaching these easy tricks to your dog, you'll want there to be a conducive living space for success. The Chateaux Apartment Homes in Minot, ND, is the perfect place for you and your furry companion, with spacious floor plans and outdoor appeal, where daily walks and play will make all the difference while you're in the training process. When you're ready for success in and out of your home with these commands, schedule your tour at The Chateau Apartment Homes— where Minot discovers home.