Dog training has many purposes; it allows the dog to understand what is expected and it allows you to effectively communicate what you want the dog to do. Additionally, the dog gets the exercise and mental stimulation he or she needs and the canine/human relationship strengthens as you both develop suitable means of communicating with each other. Training can also take on a lighter side; that of teaching tricks. This part of training provides amusement, exercise, and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for your dog, so Purebred Breeders urges owners to try it. Here are three easy to teach tricks, and some tips on how to properly teach them.
What You Need
- Clicker
- Treats
The Basics
Many tricks become easier to teach if your dog becomes accustomed to a clicker. You will first need to ensure that he or she learns to associate the sound it makes with doing the right thing. So teaching the dog to respond to the clicker can actually be counted as a trick (although it is not a part of our list). To do so:
1. Make a click then give your pooch a treat.
2. Repeat this a number of times so that your dog makes a connection between the clicker and treats. The idea is to only treat after a click, and to never click without treating.
Purebred Breeders 3 Easy Tricks
Responding to his or her name: This is important for every dog to learn, so it is only fitting that it be added to the list. Plus, the steps are simple:
1. Wait until your dog is looking directly at you; make a click, then provide a treat.
2. Repeat step one a few times, then modify it by saying the dog’s name when he or she looks at you, then click followed by the treat.
3. Step two should be continued until the dog understands that he or she should look at you when you say his or her name.
4. Call your dog, if he or she comes then click and treat. If not, go back to step two.
Sit: This is great for controlling your dog’s movement, it is best to teach “Stay” as well.
1. Allow the pooch to sit on his or her own, click then treat.
2. Do this several times.
3. Say “sit” whenever he or she sits (make sure the word and action occur at the same time), click, then treat.
4. Repeat several times.
5. Next, say “sit”. Click and reward if the command is followed. Return to step four if not.
Release: this should be taught as soon as “Sit” is learned. “Stay” should come after.
1. Tell your dog to sit, wait at least 5 seconds, click and then treat.
2. Tell the dog to sit again. If he or she stays put for at least 5 seconds then say “release”, click immediately and treat.
3. Repeat this a number of times and be sure to increase the delay period until he or she continues to sit a few minutes before you say “release”. Remember to click and treat once the dog complies.
If you find these easy to do then Purebred Breeders encourages you to visit http://www.doggiebuddy.com/topics/Trainingtopics/traintopic3.html for a full list of 52 tricks you can teach your dog. Remember to be patient, teach one trick at a time, and be consistent to avoid confusion. Also, note that one trick could take multiple sessions. Good Luck!
Juan is one of our seasoned correspondents at Purebredbreeders.com. A biology teacher by training, he would like to eventually pursue studies in veterinary medicine, and is saving towards that goal. He has an undying love for dogs and is also a professional dog groomer and pet-sitter. He is pretty much a veritable walking encyclopedia on most subjects pertaining to dog care and breeding. Additionally, Juan also mans the Purebred Breeders Complaints Hotline here in Chicago where he handles complaints about scams, and uses this platform to enlighten the public about the various pitfalls and shady dealings surrounding the breeding of dogs (among other things). He speaks Spanish and English fluently; an asset that serves him well at the Purebred Breeders Customer Service center.
Juan also reads the hundreds of reviews we receive at Purebred Breeders Reviews. He likes to play chess, reading various works on digs, playing basketball, socializing with friends and dancing (Salsa and Merengue are his favorites). Catch him on Twitter and Pinterest on any given day.
