“Okay, I know the basics. What’s next?”
Whee, more tricks = more treats!
Advanced tricks are not only fun, but also can be useful sometimes!
12 Advanced Tricks: Spin, Shake, High-5, Pretty, Up-Up, Bang-Bang!, Rollover, Speak!, Quiet, Crawl, Travel, Clean Up
Remember, be patient as these may take a while! Took me forever to rollover…
Spin
Useful when you want your dog to get a little dizzy? Dunno. But it is cute.
Tell dog to “sit”
Lure treat by nose and twirl around
Use hand gesture to indicate spin and
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog spins around!
If you’re ambitious, you can teach your dog to spin left and to spin right.
Shake
Useful when you want your dog to be formal or a lady. Also useful to teach this because it won’t paw at your leg when it wants something - only when you say “Shake”
Tell dog to “sit”
Put hand (palm facing up) by its paw
If your dog does not paw, try putting a treat in your fist instead. Then, open your palm.
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog puts its paw in your hand.
High-5
Useful when you want a high-5 but no one is around to give you one.
Tell dog to “sit”
Put hand (palm facing towards dog, fingers pointing up) in front of chest
If your dog does not paw at your hand, try putting a treat in your fist instead. Then, open your palm.
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog gives you a high-5!
Pretty
Useful when you want to smell a flower that is too tall, or to impress another dog.
Tell dog to “sit”
Lure treat from nose to above head
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog sits on its hind legs only
Up-Up
Useful when you want your dog to jump up on something. This teaches them also to not jump when they are not supposed to.
Grab dog’s attention
Pat on your legs while sitting or standing
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog jumps up. You can use this to also teach your dog how to dance.
Bang-Bang!
Useful when you need your dog to play dead! Why else?
Tell dog “down”
Lure treat to roll onto side
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog is resting on its side for a second or two
Rollover
Useful when you want an abdominal workout!
Tell dog “down”
Lure dog to roll onto its side and around by putting the treat by its nose
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog rolls over!
Speak! and Quiet!
Useful when training your dog to bark, only when you want your dog to bark.
Speak!:
When dog is already barking, attach a hand gesture and say “Speak!”
If you need to provoke a bark, play a video of dogs barking
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog barks on command.
Quiet!:
Immediately after your dog barks, use a hand gesture and say “Quiet!”
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog is quiet for a few seconds.
Increase the time between hand gesturing “quiet” and rewarding the dog.
Brioche still barks, but it has decreased tremendously since learning this command.
Crawl
Useful when you are thinking about joining the army.
Tell dog “down”
Crouch down on the floor in front of dog
Lure a treat by the nose and owner crawls backwards, as dog crawls forward
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog crawls just a few steps towards you. Body and paws should remain on the ground. Increase distance over time.
Travel
Useful when you want your dog to get accustomed to its carrier.
Toss toys or kibble into the carrier
Increase distance between you and carrier as your dog is understanding “travel!”
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog goes and sits inside the carrier.
Clean Up
Useful when you don’t want a mess and want some help!
While playing fetch, ask your dog to “drop it” into the bin
Overtime, change the cue word to “clean up” instead
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog places the toy in the bin.