Teaching My Dog’s Best Trick: A Step-by-Step Guide

Trick training is a fun and engaging way to bond with your dog while also providing mental stimulation and enrichment. In a recent survey of dog owners, some shared their dogs‘ best tricks and how they taught them, showcasing the creativity and dedication that goes into training these impressive skills.

Eileen Anderson from Arkansas shared how she taught her dog Clara to take a pill without the need for disguises. By starting with simple behaviors like eating kibble and gradually working up to swallowing empty capsules, Eileen was able to train Clara to take her daily medication with ease. The key was to make it a positive experience by rewarding Clara with a tasty treat every time she successfully swallowed the pill.

Tim Beau from Oregon highlighted how his dogs play flyball, a fast-paced relay race for dogs. While not a traditional trick, flyball requires coordination, speed, and teamwork between the dog and handler. This sport not only provides physical exercise but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner.

Erin Saywell from Indiana shared how her dog Seeker, a rescue from Baltimore City, taught herself the Sit-Pretty/Beg trick. Despite her rough start in life, Seeker now excels in various activities like flyball, lure coursing, and dock diving. Her trick is a testament to her intelligence and willingness to learn new skills.

Dot Dill from Colorado showcased her dog’s unique trick of wiping his drooling jowls after eating or drinking. This self-taught behavior was reinforced with treats and put on cue, demonstrating how dogs can learn practical and helpful tasks through positive reinforcement training.

Risë VanFleet from Pennsylvania shared how her rescue dog Kirrie taught herself to open and close the door when coming inside. By using a technique called backward chaining, Risë was able to shape Kirrie’s behavior and create a seamless routine where Kirrie automatically closes the door after entering the house.

Kate Jones from Alaska demonstrated how she trained her border collie to retrieve a coke from the refrigerator. Through a series of steps involving retrieving a can in a cookie, opening the fridge door, and tugging on a cloth towel, Kate was able to teach her dog a complex and entertaining trick that showcases the intelligence and trainability of border collies.

Jill Gibbs from Montana shared how her golden retriever Ian learned to „barrel race“ by shaping agility jumps for agility training. Ian’s versatility in various sports like dock diving, Fast CAT, barnhunt, and Trick Dog shows the importance of cross-training and keeping dogs mentally and physically active.

Shannon Thier from North Carolina detailed how her dog Pongo, a Husky/Dalmatian cross, learned to play the piano through clicker training. By shaping Pongo’s behavior and gradually raising criteria, Shannon was able to teach her dog a complex and musical trick that showcases the power of positive reinforcement training.

In conclusion, trick training is a rewarding and enriching activity for both dogs and their owners. By using positive reinforcement techniques and breaking down complex behaviors into manageable steps, dogs can learn a wide range of impressive tricks that not only showcase their intelligence and abilities but also strengthen the bond between dog and owner. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some treats, a clicker, and start teaching your dog a new trick today!