Dogs are happiest when they can be active, and one of the best ways to keep them busy is by teaching them fun new tricks. Dog training stimulates your pet mentally and physically, and it brings you closer to each other. It is easy to train them if they’ve already proven themselves able to learn basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “down.” There are other things you could teach your dog, though, especially if they have an active and playful disposition.

Before you begin, keep in mind that your dog is often very perceptive of how you’re feeling. If you grow frustrated, so will your dog. If you’re active and encouraging, your dog will typically respond in a positive way, too! Keep sessions to ten minutes at a time, and twice a day at most. Being in a good mood helps; your dog is encouraged to perform better if you praise it for a job well done. 

When you start feeling frustrated, end the session right away—dogs respond better when you are positive and calm. If this happens, you must end “school” for the day, and let them have playtime. This helps them associate training with positive feelings.

Expert dog trainers such as those at The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre can help your dog learn how to conduct itself well and respond to commands with ease. If you want to get started with the basics, though, here are a few things you can try:

Teach your dog to roll over

First, have your dog take the “down” position. Then, put a treat in your hand. Circle your dog’s head with your closed fist, moving the treat to the area behind his neck. You want to get your pet to turn his head without him standing up.

When your dog reaches his head back to sniff at your hand, roll your fist over. As he does this, remember to praise your dog and give it the treat. 

Repeat the process—this time, say “roll” out loud, and reward your dog when it completes the action. Eventually, your pet will link the command with this action, and he will not need the treat every time you say “roll.”

Get your dog to shake hands

Learning how to shake hands often comes naturally to some dogs because certain breeds raise their paws to ask for treats. To teach “shake,” have your dog sit. Then, put a treat in your palm and close your fist over it. Bring your fist to the ground, near your dog’s paw.

When your dog raises his paw, say “shake” aloud, give him the treat, and praise him enthusiastically. The next time you do the process, hold your hand slightly higher, so your pet raises its forefoot to access the treat. The goal is to have your dog raise his paw to chest level.

Remember to use the same foot for training. When your dog learns how to shake hands with one, you can go to the other. Teach them to differentiate by using “shake” for the first foot you train, and “other” for the second one. 

Teach them how to high five

If your dog training has progressed through “shake,” you can take it further to “high five.” This trick starts by following the same steps as a handshake. When your dog raises his forefoot, hold your palm out. As he hits your palm, say “high five!”

When your dog gives the high five, treat and praise them right away. The goal is for your pet to touch your open palm with its front paw. 

Train your dog to speak

Get your dog excited by talking to it in a spirited way, tossing a ball, or waving a toy. Then, put them in the “sit” position. Put a treat in your hand and shake it around your dog’s nose. Keep the treat hidden until your dog makes a sound.

When they bark, cry, or whine, reward them. Use the command “speak” when you repeat the process. Always follow it up with a command of either “hush” or “enough” to make him stop.

Some dog breeds bark more than others. If your dog is a barker, only allow him to do this trick while sitting. If you encourage your furry friend to cry at everything that moves within his field of vision, you’ll be in for quite a ride!

Conclusion

While it may be harder for an old dog to learn new tricks, it isn’t impossible. Whether your fur friend is a puppy or you’ve spent some years together, he can still learn new commands.

Remember to praise your dog if he gets things correctly, and refrain from showing frustration when he does not. Consider this as a way to build a better bond with your dog, and you will undoubtedly win in more ways than one. 

If you’ve been unable to train your dog to respond to commands or want it to learn with a professional, sign up for classes at The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre. We offer the best dog training in Brandon, MB, and our 7,000 square-foot facility is the perfect place for your furry friend to run around, play, and learn. Get in touch with us today for more details!