Top 9 Tricks to Teach Your Dog Now Dog Tricks and Training Tips That are Sure to Please

Having a dog is awesome, but not if they are running roughshod all over your house. You want to be the master of your domain, and that becomes tough with a furry little terror chewing up all your work shoes. Here are some tricks to teach your dog to keep them busy and help them learn some discipline. They will love it because you are spending time with them and giving them specific directions, and you will love it because now they listen and obey you. It is a win-win! And those don’t come around all too often. Here are nine of the essentials (and a couple more for good measure).

1) Come

The cornerstone of every other trick, this command shows that your dog understands their name and is willing to respond to you when you call them. This trick is sort of essential for having a well socialized dog, insofar as this ensures that your dog is willing to drop whatever they are doing just to see what you want, which is a great, passive way to display your dominance.

2) Sit

Is your puppy jumping all over everyone the second they come in the door? Tugging at the leash trying to chase down anything on four legs? Whenever they start to lose control, give ‘em the old “Sit” command to get their attention and keep them in one place.

A variation on the “Sit’”command, the “Down” command gives your dog an, albeit forced, opportunity to take a load off. Let your pup know that this is no time for fooling around by making them cool off on the floor.

3) Speak

A great trick to learn, the “Speak” command can give a shy dog a voice and take the power away from a dog that is, let’s call it, overly vocal. By rewarding your pooch for barking on command, it may seem like you are just opening Pandora’s Box, but in reality, without this command you wouldn’t be able to teach this gem: “Quiet.” Teaching your dog the “Quiet” command is a great way to communicate with your dog, as well as save yourself a ton on ibuprofen.

4) Heel

Essential to ensuring your role as the dominant party in your relationship with your dog, “Heel” is a way to make walks more pleasant for everyone involved. Also, it is nice to have a way to get your dog by your side without having to hold on to them.

5) Fetch

This one is mostly just for fun, but isn’t that what dogs are all about? If you want to play outside with your dog, and you don’t want to have to chase them down every 30 seconds to get the toy back, teaching your dog how to “Give” you back the toy will make everyone’s life much easier.

6) Shake

On a similarly fun note, the “Shake” command will have your dog looking like an obedience pro around your friends. I mean, do you want your dog to be an uncivilized cur, or do you want your pooch to introduce themselves like a sophisticated dog-about-town?

7) Jump On & Off

This trick is another great way to be able to better communicate with your dog. If your dog is ever someplace where they are not allowed, or should be somewhere where they aren’t, this series of tricks will make your life much easier. “Jump On” is great for getting your dog to climb up onto their grooming box without having to drag them up there, and “Jump Off” is great for getting your dog off the sofa.

8) Fix It

Doesn’t it seem like at least once per walk your dog is getting tied up in their leash? Sick of having to get your dog to sit still and cooperate as you untangle them from their self-inflicted bondage? Teach them how to “Fix It” and with a couple shakes of the paw, they will free themselves all on their own!

9) Agility Training

If you think you and your pup are up to it, agility training is a great way to spend time with your dog, teach them some fun tricks, and get loads of good exercise in at the same time. Entertain all your friends at your next party with your hoop-jumping pooch.

B-B-B-Bonus Trick!

Balancing on Your Back (Small Dogs Only)

Another great party trick, but for tiny dogs only, unless you think you can handle it with a bigger dog, but we don’t recommended it. With this trick you get your dog to climb up on your back and, eventually (and if they’re little enough) climb up to your shoulder, sitting up there like a little parrot. How cute is that?!

How To Teach Old Dogs New Tricks

Many people believe that old dogs can’t be taught new tricks. There have been many debates about this matter over the years. It is, in fact, possible to teach an old dog new tricks. You just need a lot of patience and good teaching skills. It is actually good to keep the old guy occupied by teaching him new things. It not only improves his ability to serve as your pet, it also stimulates his brain and keeps him from getting bored.The ability of an old dog to learn new tricks is especially astounding when you adopt an elderly dog. You would think that he’s too old for new tricks but not only does he prove to be brilliant, but also quick with his learning skills. Adult dogs can even be easier to train than younger dogs. Young puppies usually lose focus easily and won’t pay attention to the task at hand for long periods of time. This is not a problem with older dogs. They have more discipline and will listen to you as you speak. Here are some tips that you can use in order to make your training easier.

1. Train him with treats.Don’t let the age-old misconception that old dogs can’t learn new tricks stop you from teaching your elderly dog new tricks. Even an elderly dog can easily understand a reward system. Reward him for good behavior and chastise him for bad. This is a learning process and he will be grateful in the end. Remember to have patience. You can’t rush the process.
2. Get him a crate.This might be a little uncomfortable for you as he is an older dog and constricting him might seem a little odd. But it is important that he learn boundaries. Make sure you get a big enough crate and get him to adopt it as a den. Keep his food bowls there and give him treats in the crate. By doing this, you’re associating positive emotions to the crate.
3. Keep tabs on his health.It is important to go in to visit the vet on a regular basis especially because an older dog is more likely to develop more problems. Consult the vet before training your dog for anything beyond the basics. Keep in mind that because he is an older dog, there are some limitations that need to be considered.
4. Have lots of patience.As it is an older dog that you’re training, he is more likely to get tired and lose interest quicker than dogs in the prime of their lives. Keep in mind that you can’t train them like puppies because they don’t have that youthful exuberance. Learn their signs of exhaustion. Some common signs of exhaustion may include:

• Drooping ears
• Yawning
• Lifting his front paw
• Excessively licking his lip
• Sniffing the ground

5. Take it one step at a time.Don’t try to teach him multiple tricks at once. All that will do is confuse him. You can introduce more complex tricks once he’s mastered the basics.

When you take all these things into consideration, you will find it easier to train him. Don’t be discouraged if he doesn’t get it immediately. Keep your cool and have patience.

More On Dog Tricks

20 Dog Commands You Need To Know
Training Your New Puppy
Training an Older Dog