Teach Your Dog Six

It’s finally the weekend and you’re taking your pooch to the local dog park. Your dog is younger, so he has just begun learning to do tricks and the dog park is the perfect place to practice everything you’ve been trying to teach him. When he reaches six months old, you want him to have already mastered your six favorite dog tricks. Below, you will learn more about these six tricks and how to perform them on your own pooch.

Shake – Take your puppy’s paw in your hand, while saying the word “Shake.” Make sure you use the word “Shake” numerous times, to get your dog accustomed to the master word. After each time you grab his paw, shake, and let go, make sure you use positive reinforcement so he associates shaking his paw with praise.

Speak – To get your dog to speak on demand can be tricky since dogs are particularly vocal regardless of whether or not you request them to be. The best way to get your dog to speak is to hold a dog treat about him and say “Speak.” When he begins to bark for the treat, give it to him and shower him with positive reinforcements. Repeat this numerous times (you may want to use bits and pieces of treats to avoid a puppy-tummy-ache) and he will begin to associate the work speak with his bark that results in a treat.

Kiss – Dogs are known for being lovable lickers, so if you want to teach him this trick, it’s easy! Just begging to say “Kiss” each time he begins to lick around your face, so he will associate the word “Kiss” with his actions. Give him a treat and positive reinforcement after each success.

Fetch – Many dogs fetch naturally for the love of the game, but then again many don’t. The best way to teach your dog to fetch if he isn’t a natural, is to cut a slit in a tennis ball and put a treat inside. After you throw the ball, yell “Fetch.” He’ll chase the ball to go after the treat, and once it is ingested, he’ll come running back for more.

Come – Buy a dog whistle and go out to the yard. Yell the word “Come” and then blow the dog whistle immediately after. The dog will begin to become accustomed to coming towards you after hearing the word “Come” since the dog whistle usually followed. After he comes each time, give him a treat as positive reinforcement.

Beg – The best way to get your dog to beg is to hold one of his favorite treats above his head and use the command word, “Beg.” The dog will most likely get on his two hind legs to beg for the treat out of instinct, but hearing the word “Beg” each time he does this will train him to associate the word “Beg” with the action of standing on his hind legs in order to get rewarded with a treat.