January marks the official start of National Train Your Dog Month, but you can teach easy dog tricks at any time of year.
We all love our pets, but sometimes it can feel like your dog is incapable of learning any easy dog tricks. While it may feel impossible at times, with the right techniques and the proper amount of practice, just about any dog can learn. You might not know where to begin in finding tricks to teach your dog, so we’re here to help!
Committing yourself to teach your dog some tricks is a great New Year’s resolution, but it’s also a fun bonding experience for you and your dog throughout the year. Watch the following videos to learn some simple techniques that make it possible for any dog to learn tricks.
Easy tricks to teach your dog
Remember, patience and consistency are key when teaching tricks. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise, and petting to reward your dog when they perform the desired behavior. Keep training sessions short and fun, and always end on a positive note.
Kiss
Yes, your dog may already shower you with kisses on a daily basis, but now you can actually teach them to kiss you on command.
The video above walks you through the training process step by step, showing you how to eventually work up to the final kiss. For this trick you’ll need something sticky like tape or a post-it, treats, and a clicker.
The dog in this training video not only learned how to kiss his human, but he even learned to kiss his cat friend!
Bark On Command
This cool trick to teach your dog might be for more advanced dogs and takes some extra patience, as it’s one of the tougher tricks. As the video above shows, you have to be diligent in waiting for your dog to bark by themselves first, and then reward them as they continually do it.
The dog in the video doesn’t bark immediately even though the trainer is a professional, so make sure you remember that it won’t happen right away. However, if you can master it, barking on command is a very unique trick that will definitely impress your fellow dog parents.
Shake Hands
The “Shake Hands” trick is definitely one of the cuter tricks your pup can learn. It’s quite simple and is actually one of the easiest tricks to teach.
The secret is that your dog will already naturally paw at you if they want something. When you present a closed fistful of treats, your dog will likely be compelled to paw at your hand since they can’t get the treats with their mouth.
Once they continue to paw, begin to use the command “Shake,” and after repeating it several times, your dog is sure to learn a brand new trick. Follow the instructions in the video above for more details.
Fetch
While fetch is a classic game, it’s a trick that doesn’t come naturally for some dogs.
It can become pretty frustrating when your dog won’t cooperate at play time. Some dogs are uninterested in the toy and don’t even want to try, some will go fetch the toy but not bring it back, and then there are the stubborn dogs who bring the toy back but then won’t let go.
Watch the tutorial above to see how you can get your dog interested in fetch in the first place, and then actually learn how to play fetch properly
Roll Over
At first “Roll Over” may seem like a difficult trick to attempt, but in the long run, it’s very straightforward.
All this trick demands is repetition. The more you do it, the better your dog will get.
The video above explains that the secret of “Roll Over” is doing it in three steps. Make sure you precisely lead your dog through each step, and before you know it, your friends will be asking you to teach their dogs for them!
Play Dead
“Play Dead” is a great party trick that will most definitely impress your friends and family. Unlike simpler commands like sitting or shaking hands, playing dead takes a bit more time and persistence to master.
The tutorial above uses a backwards method approach, teaching the last part of the trick first in order for the dog to learn easier. Take your time and remember to reinforce with a clicker and treats to make the process faster.
If your dog already knows the trick “Roll Over” it will be much easier for them to learn this trick.
Spin
Getting your dog to spin on command is a staple dog trick. While seemingly complicated, making your dog spin when directed can be done very easily with the right technique.
The instructor in the video above shows you how to begin with treats and eventually get to a verbal command only. However, getting your dog to spin with a verbal command only can be pretty difficult for beginners, so even if you get your dog to spin with a hand cue or treats, it’s still an accomplishment to be celebrated.
Stand On Hind Legs
While this trick may seem like something to leave to the professionals, if you’re a persistent dog parent with patience and high determination, it’s definitely doable.
In comparison to tricks like “Shake Hands” or “Spin,” this trick may seem complex, but really it’s just as easy to achieve if you put the work and effort in.
Big or small, any dog is capable of learning this if their human is just as determined. Watch the video above for details on how to pull it off.
Sit Pretty
Making your dog “Sit Pretty” isn’t just fun because it gives you the chance to take cute pictures of your pup to post to Instagram, but it’s also a great exercise for your dog.
Making your dog strike an adorable pose helps with your dog’s balance and can build core muscles. However, make sure your dog is healthy for this trick because it can strain dogs with pre-existing conditions. Watch the video above to learn how it’s done.
Hug
While you can always just give your dog a hug, this trick is neat because your dog will actually put their paws around you and hug you back. Who wouldn’t want to learn this adorable trick?
If you want to master this heartwarming hug, just remember to be understanding of the pace at which your dog learns. Also, keep in mind that it is a bit simpler for your dog to learn this trick if they already know “Sit Pretty,” but otherwise it is still very manageable.
Take a look at the video above and follow along. Your dog will get lots of “awws” from all your friends!
Be sure to check out our Advanced Tricks To Teach Your Dog!