Tricks Training
Shake & High Five
A crowd-pleaser and a great bonding exercise. Hold a treat in a closed fist near your dog's paw. When they paw at it, mark and reward. Transition from shake (low) to high five (raised hand) with practice.
Spin & Twist
Lure your dog in a circle with a treat. Mark when they complete the turn. Add a hand signal, then a verbal cue. Teach both directions — 'spin' for clockwise, 'twist' for counter-clockwise.
Roll Over & Play Dead
Start from a down position. Lure your dog's nose toward their shoulder until they roll. Break it into stages — hip roll first, then full roll. 'Play dead' is the halfway point, held on its side.
Why Tricks Matter
Tricks aren't just fun — they build focus, strengthen the human-dog bond, and provide mental stimulation that tired dogs out faster than physical exercise alone. A trick-trained dog is an engaged, happy dog.