Ten Fun and Easy Dog Tricks

When most people think of dog training, they think of the basic dog training commands - sit, down, come, stay. While those things are important, don't underestimate the benefits of training a dog to do tricks. Dog tricks are a great way to offer your dog some mental stimulation, and many of them build from the basic commands. Plus it's a lot of fun to train a dog some cool dog tricks to show off for friends!

Here are some dog tricks that are fun and fairly easy to train a dog to do:

1. Back Up

Back up is a fun dog trick, and it can come in handy in a variety of situations. Once your dog knows how to back up on command, you can use it to keep him from rushing out the door, crowding you at the refrigerator, or just to entertain your friends.

Back up is fairly simple to teach a dog. All you need is some patience and a handful of treats, and you can quickly train a dog to back up a few steps when you give the command.

2. Take a Bow

Taking a bow is a dog trick which involves having your dog put his chest to the ground while keeping his rear end up in the air. It may sound like a difficult dog trick to train a dog to do, but the truth is that bowing is a natural behavior for dogs.

If you watch two dogs playing together, you will frequently see them bow. Trainers refer to this behavior as a play bow, and it is a dog's way of asking another dog to come play. You can easily use your dog's natural playfulness to train him to take a bow. And it's a great way to end a demonstration of all the cool new dog tricks your dog has learned!

3. Shake Paws

Have your dog greet your friends by shaking hands (or paws, as the case may be). This is an easy dog trick that you can usually train a dog to do in a few short training sessions.

4. Wave

Training a dog to wave hello or good-bye is a fun and fairly simple dog trick. Start by training your dog to shake paws. You will use the same action your dog uses to shake to train him to lift his paw to wave.

5. Speak

Training a dog to speak is fun and it helps to solve a common behavior problem. Many dog trainers recommend using the speak and quiet commands to put an end to excessive barking. Putting these on command allows your dog to bark in certain situations, and also allows you to have control over when the barking should start and stop. It's also a lot of fun to show off your dog's conversational skills at family gatherings!

6. Spin

By holding a treat near your dog's nose, you can easily lure him into a spin. If you want to add some difficulty to this dog trick, you can teach him to spin in a specific direction. You'll amaze your friends when you show them how your dog can tell the difference between left and right.

7. Give Kiss

Training a dog to kiss is one of the easiest tricks to teach. While not everyone enjoys a big, wet doggie smooch, this dog trick usually goes over very well with kids. By putting a little treat on your cheek and adding the command, you'll soon be able to get all the affection you want from your dog on demand!

8. Beg

What could be cuter than seeing your dog sitting on his hind legs with his paws up to beg for a treat? This dog trick can be a little more difficult to train a dog to do than some of the others, but with a little patience, your dog will be sitting up to beg in no time.

Most people train a dog to roll over in several small parts and work up to getting the dog to roll over all the way. It may take a little extra effort to train a dog to do this dog trick, but it is well worth it. It's lots of fun, and it also serves as a building block for several other dog tricks, such as playing dead.

10. Play Dead

Your friends are sure to be blown away when you hold your finger like a gun and say bang and your dog falls to the floor to play dead. Although it looks impressive, it's not as hard as you might think to train a dog to play dead, especially if you have already trained him to roll over.

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How to Introduce Your Dog to Allowable Potty Spots

Adult dogs and puppies need to know where they are allowed to go to the bathroom. Housetraining problems are among the chief reasons people give up their dogs to animal shelters, so managing this issue right from the start is super important.

Know where you want your new pooch to pee and poop before bringing her home. If you have a yard, choose a spot that’s convenient for both of you — a secluded spot where people aren’t likely to walk is best.

If you’re planning to paper or litter-box train your pet, place the “go spot” in an area away from high foot traffic where it’s easy to clean, such as on a linoleum or tile floor and far from your dog’s sleeping area. Dogs don’t like to eliminate near where they sleep.

You may be tempted to take off your new dog’s leash and let her explore the house as soon as you get home. Wait! Don’t unclip that leash from that collar just yet. First, take your dog to the place where you want her to eliminate. Keeping that leash on, have your dog sniff, circle, and check out the spot, but stay where you are until she relieves herself. Although this process can take a long time, wait.

If you know your dog recently did her business and simply doesn’t need to go, introduce her to her crate instead. But go back to the potty spot again and again until she uses it for its intended purpose. Repetition and perseverance at the start pays off for the life of your dog.

When your dog goes in the right spot, say hooray! Praise her, pet her, call her a very good dog because she just did something very good. She went where you wanted her to go, and that’s a big step for a new dog in a new home. Make sure she knows that she has pleased you.

Then, if you have a fenced yard, you can let her off the leash to explore on her own. If you don’t have a fence, lead her around the yard on the leash and let her sniff, check out the perimeter, and figure out what’s what. Finally, bring her in the house.

If your dog’s potty spot is inside and you’re already in the house, you can let her have a chance to explore the rest of the house now.

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Training a Puppy Not to Jump on You

Training a puppy not to jump on you when you get home requires discipline — from you. First, you need to understand why a puppy jumps. Eye contact is a top method of canine communication. Our eyes are above theirs, so to greet us properly, dogs jump up to meet our eyes. The first time this happens, a hug follows. "Isn't that cute?" After about the tenth jump, it's not so cute, and you gently push the pup away. But to a dog, pushing means confrontational play. The puppy jumps higher and harder the next time. So you try a little toe stepping, paw grabbing, and yelling — all with the same effect. Your dog thinks jumping is very interactive and very fun.

Dogs that jump need to learn the four-paw rule — they will not receive any attention, at all, until all four paws are on the floor.

The best way to remedy jumping when you arrive home is to ignore your pup. Try it for a week. Don't give in!

Come home and ignore your dog until he's given up the jumping vigil.
Keep a basket of balls or squeaky toys by the door. When you come in, toss one on the ground to refocus your dog's energy.
If your dog's crated, don't let him out until he's calm.
If you have a big puppy or a super persistent jumper, you have two options: Fill a plant mister with 50 percent vinegar and water to spray a boundary in between your bodies, or put on an overcoat to protect yourself, and calmly look away. Whether it takes 2 minutes or 20, go about your business until your dog calms down.

If you have kids, tell them to "look for rain" by crossing their arms in front of their chest and looking to the sky. You do the same. Don't look down until the coast is clear. Consistency is key. If one family member follows the program but the others encourage jumping, your dog will jump-test all visitors.

If your dog still insists on jumping, keep a lead (short or long) attached to her collar. When she jumps, grasp the lead and snap her sideways quickly as you continue to ignore her (give no eye contact, body language, or verbal corrections).

Puppies mimic their leaders' energy levels. If you come home to an excited dog and you get excited, you're sending the message that his excitement is acceptable. Instead, come in calmly and wait to greet your puppy until he's settled down, too. Then get a toy and play with him.

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Puppy Training: Stopping Nipping and Mouthing

Mouthing and nipping are two different issues. Mouthing is a lesser infraction; it's more of a communication skill to get you to do a particular thing. Less pressure, less annoying, but still not particularly charming. Nipping is a puppy thing; it's interactive and playful. If you have an older puppy who still nips, you may be dealing with aggression. Nipping puppies are bossy and manipulative and need a firmer regimen.

Mouthing is an attention-getting behavior. If your dog uses it to communicate a need to go out, respond. If, on the other hand, your dog mouths you for a pat, ignore it. Pretend she isn't there. If she becomes too annoying, get Binaca Mouth Spray and spritz her discreetly in front of her nose, hiding the Binaca in your hand and avoiding all eye contact, comments, or pushing.

Nipping is different from mouthing (nipping with sharp little needle teeth can hurt!), and it's another one of those puppy things that you need to refocus. Consider this: When your puppy still hung out with her littermates, she nipped during play and to determine her rank. She also soft-mouthed her mother affectionately. When you bring your puppy home, this behavior continues.

What your puppy wants to know is who's a puppy and who's not. The answer determines the type of mouthing or nipping: soft or playful. Usually, everyone gets categorized as a puppy. Why? Well, for starters, most people pull their hands away when nipped. To a human, drawing back is self-defense; to a pup, however, it's an invitation to play. Even if you were to correct your young puppy, she wouldn't understand (it's like correcting a one-year-old baby for pulling your hair). So what should you do? Your approach depends on your puppy's age.

Pups younger than 16 weeks

Young puppies mouth a lot. They mouth when playing; they also mouth to communicate their needs. If your puppy starts mouthing, ask yourself these questions: Is she hungry or thirsty? Does she need to eliminate? Is she sleepy? Does she need to play? Remember, puppies nip when they feel needy (just like a baby cries). If your puppy won't let up, ask yourself if she wants something, like an outing, exercise, or a drink.

The following things can help you control mouthing and nipping:

If your puppy doesn't need anything and she still won't quit, crate or isolate her with a favorite bone. Do not scold your puppy as you isolate her.
Whenever your puppy licks you, say "Kisses" and praise her warmly. Encourage licking by slathering your hands with a frozen stick of butter. Yummm.
Withhold your attention when your puppy nips softly. Keep your hand still; withdrawing your hand is an invitation to play and nip harder.

If your puppy starts biting down hard, turn quickly, say "Ep, Ep!" and glare into her eyes for two seconds; then go back to your normal routine. If she persists, try spritzing yourself with Bitter Apple or affix a leash onto your puppy so that you can tug the lead sharply to the side. If necessary, place her in a quiet area to cool off.
Pups over 16 weeks

If you have a Peter Pan pup, one who isn't growing up, you need to start curbing it now. Although nipping will continue (for a few weeks yet), you need to make clear that it's unacceptable. Following are a few tips to help you:

Stop all challenge games (wrestling, tug-of-war, chasing your dog around, and teasing). When you engage in these types of activities, you're sending the wrong message. These games teach dogs to clamp down hard on any object — a leash, the laundry, your shirt, or even your skin — and challenge.
Discourage all nipping, whether it's a bite on your arm or a nibble on your finger. Teeth do not belong on human skin, period.
Purchase a few weapons to use in defense, such as Binaca Mouth Spray, Bitter Apple spray, or a long-distance squirt gun.
Never stare at your pup while you spritz or spray her; doing so turns an unpleasant result into a confrontational interaction.
Leave a leash on your puppy so you have something to direct her with and can avoid physical confrontation.
If your puppy begins to mouth, turn to her, use a lead or collar to snap her head from your body, or spritz the region she's nipping with a spray. Do not glare at her or she'll perceive your actions as confrontational play.
If she continues to nip, ask yourself if you look convincing, if you're snapping or pulling (pulling encourages play), or if your dog is taking you seriously. You may need more training before you earn her respect.
Pups with kids

Kids act a lot like puppies. They're always on the floor and into everything. If you have children, teach your puppy not to mouth them from the start. Here's how.

Leave your puppy on a 4-foot-long nylon leash whenever she's with your children. If she starts playing too rough, pick up the leash, snap back, and say "Ep, Ep."
If you're still having trouble, buy a long-distance squirt gun or plant mister and fill it with water and vinegar, and spray your dog discreetly when she starts getting riled up.
If all else fails, give the puppy a time-out attached to you, stationed, or crated. Help the kids see that their restlessness leads to your withdrawing the puppy.

When things get out of hand, don't yell at the kids. Yelling sounds like barking to your dog and ups the fun ante. Calmly station, crate, or isolate your puppy until she mellows.

When grabbing and chasing are involved

Puppies, being puppies, are bound to chase and grab at things. If the thing is a ball or squeak toy, there's no problem. But if it's the children or your clothing, well, that's a problem. Your next goal is to teach the puppy what's acceptable to grab and pull at and what's off limits.

The bathrobe assault
If your puppy's a clothing grabber, dilute some Bitter Apple spray in a plant mister and carry it with you when you suspect the assault. Without looking at or responding to your pup, spray your dog discretely and continue walking.

If this problem persists, get help now. It can develop into post-puberty aggression. No joke.

The child chaser
Kids running around the yard or house are a big temptation. If you were a puppy, you'd be jumping and nipping, too. Because you can't teach kids to stop being kids, you need to help your puppy control her impulses.

1. Put your pup on the leash and ask the kids to race around in front of you.

2. Anytime your puppy looks tempted to lunge, snap back and say "Shhh."

3. Repeat as often as necessary to gain control.

Once you've tamed your dog inside, repeat the routine outside, first with a leash and then with a longer chain.

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