If you need to change up your training routine with your dog and want to learn some simple tricks that are sure to impress, then we’ve got a great list for you. These five tricks are easy to teach and are interactive in nature, so others can have fun asking your dog for these behaviors, too!
5 Easy Tricks You Can Teach Your Dog
Here are the five easy tricks you can teach your dog.
1. Spin
Spin is very easy to train and most dogs learn it quickly because all they have to do is follow a lure. Here’s how to teach it:
- Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose. Move your arm in a circle causing your dog to spin as they follow it. You can choose to have your dog spin clockwise or counterclockwise, but be consistent with just one direction while they are learning.
- After a few repetitions, add your vocal cue, “spin,” and say it as you start luring your dog.
- Continue to practice until your dog will spin with only a voice command. If you prefer, you can continue to use a hand signal.
2. High Five
High five is a great trick to teach your dog because it forces them to do some problem-solving in order to figure out what you want. Once they do, though, they tend to learn this one pretty easily.
- Grab a treat and hold it in a closed fist. Your dog will likely sniff or even lick your hand. Wait for them to paw at your hand. Once they do, mark the behavior with a “yes” or a clicker and give them the treat. Repeat this process until your dog is consistently pawing at your hand.
- Start saying “high five” when holding your hand up for your dog to paw. Repeat this several times to pair the vocal cue with the desired action.
- Next, open your hand like an actual high five and use the vocal cue. If your dog gives you a high five, reward as usual. If your dog doesn’t, it may be that you haven’t fully paired the vocal cue with the desired action, so spend more time on step two.
3. Shake Hands
Shake is a great trick because it helps dogs get used to having their paws held, but it’s done in a way that is fun and rewarding.
- Ask your dog to sit. Then, hold a treat in your fist and offer it to your dog with your palm facing up. Wait for your dog to paw at your hand; when they do, open your fist and let them have the treat. Repeat until your dog is consistently pawing at your hand.
- Add your desired vocal cue, such as “shake,” when you offer your hand. Repeat several times.
- Offer your dog your hand with an open palm and no treat, and say “shake.” If they paw at your hand, reward them. If not, you may need to spend more time on step two.
- Introduce gentle movement. Gently grab your dog’s paw when they paw at your hand, and then reward. Once they’re comfortable with this, you can move on to the actual shaking motion; keep it slow and gentle and always reward. Go back a step if your dog ever seems uncomfortable.
4. Touch (Boop)
This trick is traditionally known as touch, but we like to call it boop and even use “boop” as the cue since what you are asking your dog to do is boop your hand with their snoot.
- Hold your open hand out to your dog. When they sniff it, mark the moment their nose touches your hand with “yes” or a clicker and give them a reward. Repeat this process until your dog is consistently booping your hand.
- Add the vocal cue. Say “touch” or “boop” as you present your hand, and praise as per usual. Repeat this several times until your dog responds reliably to the vocal cue. Now your dog has learned to boop your hand!
5. Sit Pretty (Beg)
“Sit pretty” is a crowd pleaser, but it requires a healthy dog who has good balance. We wouldn’t recommend teaching this trick to a senior dog with joint issues. This trick also may not be suitable for breeds prone to back issues like dachshunds and corgis.
- Ask your dog to sit. Take a treat and hold it right in front of their nose, and then slowly raise the treat, luring the dog until they stretch and their front paws leave the ground. Reward once the paws lift.
- Start luring the treat even further until your dog is sitting on their haunches with their front paws in the air and then give them a reward. Repeat until your dog will consistently perform this pose.
If your dog is struggling with balance, you can let them rest their paws on your forearm, or you can stand behind them so their back is against your legs until they get the hang of it. - Add in your preferred vocal cue, such as “sit pretty” or “beg” as you lure your dog into position. Repeat several times until your dog understands the vocal cue.
You can also work on the duration your dog holds the pose for by holding the treat above them for longer before giving it to them. Be sure not to push your dog too hard and work on increasing the duration in small increments.
Trick Training Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Many people think trick training is a complex process, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many fun tricks that are easy to teach your dog. If you do find training your pup challenging, don’t lose heart – you can always look for location-specific dog trainer guides, like this one from Dog Academy, to find someone to help you out!