Jump Through a Hoop

For advice on all trick training click on this link to get you started off right.

Your dog should be able to jump 1 1/2 times his shoulder height. This excludes dogs that are pregnant, dysplastic, arthritic, have back problems or leg problems. Dachshunds or other long-backed dogs are not good jumpers since they are prone to back injuries. Most dogs love to jump. You may want to think twice about teaching your dog to jump however. If Fido stays in the back yard, you don't want him jumping over the fence. Consider this before continuing.

To start your dog jumping, put a board in a doorway. With Fido on leash, both you and Fido should jump over the board. Say, "Fido Over" as you j...ump. Fido should follow you. After he gets over, praise, praise, praise! If you have any problems, get a lower board to start. Next you stand on one side of the doorway with Fido on a sit stay on the other side. Holding onto his leash say, "Fido Come, Fido Over". After he masters this, stay in the same room with Fido. Send him over the board saying, "Fido Over" and then have him return again using the Over command. Remember always end the training on a success with lots of praise.

Now you can get the hoop out. A hula-hoop works well. Put the hoop in the doorway and start easy. Sit the hoop on the ground. Call him to you, "Fido Come" while you are on the other side. Once he will walk through the hoop, you can start raising the hoop a little at a time. Use the Over command and use lots of praise. Next you can leave the doorway and hold the hoop in your hand.

It is now your job to make sure Fido cannot avoid the hoop. As you give the Over command, move the hoop in front of him if he tries to avoid it. Start with the hoop low. Keep the training fun. At each training session start with the hoop low to give Fido a warmup. You can also teach your dog to jump over a person, a long stick, another dog, etc. The most important thing is to have fun! Be consistent and remember the praise. Soon you will be showing off Fido to all your friends.

Hide and Seek

For advice on all trick training click on this link to get you started off right.

This trick uses the dog's great sense of smell. Take a dog biscuit or piece of dry dog food and hold it up to Fido's nose while he is on a sit stay. Tell him "Smell it". When he tries to eat it, tell him No snatching it back. Say "Smell it" again. When Fido has mastered this much, put the treat on the floor a few feet away where he can see it. Say, "Okay Find it". The Okay will break the sit stay. Let him eat the treat and praise him. Practice this much until Fido will stay until you release him to find it. Now you can put the treat further and further away. Hide it in a different room after awhile. Be sure not to let Fido break the sit stay command. Continue to make the hiding spots more difficult praising Fido. If he slips or can't find it, back up in the training. When he gets real good, you can have him find a ball or a person.

Fetch

For advice on all trick training click on this link to get you started off right

To start let Fido chase balls, sticks, anything he is interested in. Try to get him to come back to you with the ball. Praise him for coming to you, ignoring the ball. If he wants you to chase him, move away and ignore him. Practice his other commands - sit, heel - with the ball in his mouth for a short time. Patience - this will take awhile.

Now get a dowel or piece of broom handle to work with. With Fido at your side in the heel position (the leash in your left hand) hold the dowel in your right hand in front of his face. Say, "Take it". When he opens his mouth, even for a second, put the dowel in his mouth. Praise him even if he spits it out right away. Try to get the praise in before he spits out the dowel. After a couple of "Take it" commands go on to a different exercise. Keep coming back to this command. A little at a time is the best method. More patience is required here.

After Fido will take the dowel, move it a little further away from his face. Stop praising him when he drops the dowel. Begin moving the dowel forward and down until it is near the ground. Now you can change the dowel for a doggy dumbbell which is easier for Fido to pick up from the ground. After he picks up the dumbbell, you can try having him pick up the dowel. He is still right next to you. Now you can move the dowel farther away, having Fido pick it up while dragging his leash. Next you can have him pick up other objects.

Fido must now learn to give you the object. Using the dumbbell say, "Out" holding your hand to receive the dumbbell. You will probably have to take it with one hand and put the other hand over Fido's muzzle forcing (gently) his mouth open. Repeat the command "Out" as you take the dumbbell. Lots of praise!!! Repeat for as long as it takes always ending the training with praise. Use different objects such as rolled up newspaper, slippers, his dog dish.

If Fido constantly resists, try another trick! Some dogs do not like to retrieve. There are a lot of other tricks you can do.

Advice For All Pet Trick Training

All pet tricks must be taught with kindness and patience. This is a fun time for you and your dog. This training should be incorporated into or taught after regular obedience training. Remember to go slowly, work in short time periods and always end the session on a positive note. If you find something that works - do it! These instructions won't necessarily work for all dogs. You cannot give too much praise to your dog really pour it on. When he/she does something correctly, act as if it is the most wonderful thing you have ever seen in the whole world! Get excited Praise, praise, praise is what is needed.

Cats can be taught tricks, but it takes longer and much more patience than most of us have. These tricks are geared toward your dog. Enjoy.