How to Teach Your Dog To Do Anything in 6 Easy Steps
Introduction
What's the first thing people usually ask you when they hear you've just gotten a brand new dog? If you're like me, the answer is: "Can he do any tricks?" Whether your new pup is a show-off like my dog or not, it's helpful to know how to train him to do tricks anyhow. That way, you won't have to panic when someone asks about his repertoire, and you'll have something fun to do together during those early days of puppyhood when he needs lots of attention and stimulation. Follow these six tips for teaching your dog tricks and not only will both of your lives be easier—you'll also have something impressive to show off at parties!
Photo by Maksim Goncharenok on pexels
1. Choosing Your Tricks
The first step is to choose a trick that's appropriate for your dog. A good rule of thumb is to pick one that you know your dog will enjoy and be able to do, but to also keep in mind how easy it will be for you to teach.
If you've recently adopted your pooch, don't worry too much about this step just yet—you can always use this guide later on once he or she has settled in with their new family! If you're looking for some good starting points, though, I'd recommend the following:
"Sit": This is an easy command for most dogs, especially puppies who are eager to please their humans. Plus, it's helpful if they're ever left alone in the house and need somewhere safe and comfortable without having run around like crazy all day long (which could lead into...well...other issues).
"Stay": Speaking from personal experience here—this one takes time but trust me when I say that learning how not only stay put but also come back when called will save so much stress when taking them outside on walks no matter where we go! If we have any obstacles like fences blocking our path then being able sit down next by those obstacles helps prevent running off further away than intended plus makes sure everyone stays safe while crossing safely over said fences etcetera etcetera etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam!!
2. Breaking Down Each Trick
To teach your dog to target with you, put the treat in one hand and hold it above her nose so she has to go up on her hind legs to reach it. Once she's up there, give her a click and reward with the treat. Once she gets the idea that if she raises her nose into the air, something good happens, move slowly away from her until you're about 10 feet away, still holding out that same hand containing the treat for her to see but not yet get at (this is called "backing" or "retreating"). When she comes forward toward you as far as possible (i.e., standing on all fours), click and reward again—she should be able to tell what's happening here! Then repeat this process until she moves toward you without hesitation whenever you say "target."
3. Don't Add the Cue Too Soon
Don't add the cue until the dog knows what you want.
The word "sit" is a cue that tells your dog to sit down and stay in place. If you say "sit" before your dog has learned to sit, he'll be confused and may not know what you want him to do. You don't want this! The cue helps your dog understand exactly which behavior earns him a treat or reward (more on this later). So wait until he understands what's expected of him before adding the cue.
4. Use Your Dog's Name to Build Excitement
Just like humans, dogs can get excited when they hear their own name. The goal is to use your dog's name to redirect his focus from whatever else he may be doing back towards you and the task at hand. This will help him learn how easy it is for him to follow along with what you want him to do and not be distracted by other things in the environment around him
5. Slowly Wean Off Treats
After the dog has mastered the behavior and learned the command, slowly wean off treats. Make sure you reward your dog with a secondary reward that they like, but is not food.
For example:
If you're teaching your dog to play fetch, reward them with a toy after they drop it at your feet. You can use this same toy to train other behaviors too!
If you're training your dog to sit for an obligatory scratch of his ears or belly, give him some extra attention with a few pats on his back or under his chin before he's done sitting for his scratch (again—don't forget about that belly!)
6. You're the One!
You're the one who can teach your dog anything. You're the one who can make your dog happy, and you're also the one who can make your dog feel loved and safe and confident.
You'll need to be consistent with these tasks, but it's not hard. Once they know what they have to do, dogs are practically geniuses at understanding how to get what they want from people!
Pretty soon you'll be able to teach your dog just about anything.
Pretty soon you'll be able to teach your dog just about anything. You can teach them to do tricks and even things like come when called, give you high-fives and roll over.
If you're not sure where to start, don't worry! There's no need for a PhD in dog behavior to get your pooch started on the right path. All it takes is some simple training techniques that are easy enough for any pet owner with basic knowledge of canine psychology to master. And once you've got the hang of it, there's nothing holding back what kind of tricks or behaviors your pup can learn!
Conclusion
The next time you teach your dog a trick, keep these six steps in mind. Even though some tricks may be harder than others to teach, the basics remain the same. You'll want to break down each trick into smaller pieces and reward your dog when he or she does well. Remember to keep training sessions short and fun as well — it's much easier to maintain consistency if training is enjoyable for both of you. Finally, don't forget to have patience! Like anything worth doing, teaching a new skill takes time and commitment on both ends.
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