Tricks to teach your dog.

Courtesy of the following web sites

www.loveyourdog.com

www.diamondsintheruff.com

Good Games & Bad Games

Bad Game: "Catch me if you can"

You stomp he runs - or worse, grabs something and you try to catch him to get it back.  A possessive power trip for the dog, teaches him that he can out run, out-smart, out-maneuver you. Makes him impossible to catch if he ever gets out.

Good Game: "Hide and Seek"

You hide and the dog searches until she finds you. [Teaches the dog to come when called and how to find you when she can't see you] or hide a toy or a biscuit and encourage her to find it an ex­cellent scenting game!

Bad Game: "Tug of War for keeps"

The dog wrestles the toy from you, sometimes growling, and wins, running off with the toy. [A major power trip and confidence builder for your dog. Often turns into a catch me if you can game.]

Good Game: "Tug of War" on YOUR terms.

You present the toy and invite the dog to play. You make all the rules! "Take it" "Pull" Out The game begins and ends when you say so, and when the game is over, you keep the toy until the next game! [A leadership exercise use sparingly. In the case of over stimulation, the game ends abruptly. Teaches self-control]

Bad Game: "Throw the Ball"

Dog pushes his ball at you, staring intently; ordering you to "throw the ball" Then snatches it just as you reach for it. When he does allow you to throw it, he dances around teasing you with it instead of delivering it to your hand. [A power trip for the dog, teaches him that he can give you orders.]

Good Game: "Fetch"

You bring out the ball and invite a controlled game of fetch- the game becomes a training session: "sit" "wait" get it bring it , give and you put the ball away until the next game. [Pack leaders get to decide when and what the rules are, and when the game ends. Always stop when the dog would like to play a little longer. Leave him wanting more!]

Bad Game: Wrestling and play fighting.

OOPS! Encourages jumping up, mouthing, biting, chasing and pits the dog's strength against the owner. A definite confidence builder. Teaches the dog he can run for higher office and win.

Good Game: Tricks!

Exercise your dog's mind! Teach your dog to sit up, roll over, shake hands, and even balance a biscuit on his nose!

Good Game: Mind Games.

Build brain power! Teach your dog the names of her toys or names of family members. Teach her to deliver notes or find your car keys!

Carol A. Byrnes "Diamonds in the Ruff" http://www.diamondsintheruff.com

Tricks

Shake Hands

Start by having your dog sit. Say, "Shake hands," and take his paw with your hand. Hold his paw and say, "Good dog!" Let go of his paw. Do this a few times every day

TIP: After a while, say, "Shake hands," but don't take his paw. See if he raises his paw by himself. If not, keep showing him what to do by saying, "Shake hands," and taking his paw with your hand. Your dog is not slow; he is just learning!

Crawl

Start by having your dog lie down. Hold a treat just in front of his nose and say, "Crawl." If he starts to stand up, say, "No, down ... crawl." Pull the treat away, keeping it low, near the ground and say, "Craaawl." When your dog moves even an inch or two without standing up, praise him and say, "Good dog! Craaawl."

TIP: Your dog must know 'Down' , before he can learn this trick.

Go to Bed

"Go to bed" means go to the bed AND lie down. You should only need to say "Go to bed". Put a bed, blanket, or towel 6-10 feet away from you. With your dog beside you say "Go to bed!" and then together go to the bed. Have your dog lie down on the bed, give her a treat, and praise. Repeat many times. Later on, try sending your dog by herself. At first, make sure that someone is waiting at the bed with a treat. Later, your dog will do it herself, and you will walk over to her while she is lying down and reward her.

Kiss

Here's an easy one: Every time your dog licks your face, say, "Give me a kiss. Good boy! Give me a kiss." If he isn't a licker, put a little peanut butter on your cheek and say, "Give me a kiss." When he licks it off say, "Give me a kiss," again.

TIP: Tricks like this work because you put words with something your dog does. Pretty soon your dog hears "Give me a kiss," and thinks about licking your face. Then you give him a hug, rub his ears and say, "Good boy!" Dogs love that.

Circle

With your dog facing you, take a treat and lead your dog's nose to the right around your body. Let him follow the treat all the way around behind your back and around to the front. Give your  dog the treat and praise him. He will be making a complete circle around you.

Tip: In the beginning you may have to give your dog several treats while he is going around behind you and when he returns to the front. Practice several times a day but only for five or so minutes.

Wave

Your dog should know how to shake hands before learning this trick. Face your dog and hold out your hand as if you are going to shake. When your dog lifts her paw to shake ,don't grab it, just pull your hand back and say "wave". Then give your dog a treat.

Tip: At first your dog may not lift her paw very high, but once she realizes that your going to give her a treat if she holds it up there, she'll get it. You may have to tease her a little with your hand so she thinks you are going to shake with her. Waving your hand may also help to get the paw in a waving motion as well.

Go Back

This is an easy one. Stand facing your dog and as you walk towards him say "Go back". He will want to get out of the way and will automatically walk backwards.

Tip: If your dog doesn't walk back in a straight line , practice up against a wall or in a narrow hallway. After your dog is walking back with you, try walking towards him only a step or two. Eventually you will be able to stand still and say "Go Back