Top 3 Fun and Easy Dog Tricks for Beginners

Teaching your furry friend some fun and easy tricks strengthens your bond with your canine companion! Easy dog trick training also provides mental stimulation and physical exercise.

Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or looking to expand your pup’s repertoire of tricks, this guide is here to inspire you.

Dog tricks are not just about impressive stunts or fancy performances; they are a way to celebrate our four-legged friends’ incredible intelligence and tremendous capabilities.

From performing basic commands to charming party guests with their adorable antics, dogs are eager learners and natural show-stoppers.

How to Teach a Dog Sit

Teaching a dog to sit is a foundational and essential behavior for every dog. This is one of the simplest behaviors you’ll ever teach your pet!

With patience and consistency, it won’t take much time at all.

Steps 1 & 2: Use a Treat as a Lure

Ensure you have your dog’s full attention. Consider finding a quiet place to start the dog training without distractions.

Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose, letting them smell it but not eat it yet. The treat will serve as both a lure and a reward.

Step 3: Move the Treat to Encourage the Sit Position

Slowly move the treat up and over your dog’s head, leading them to look up and back. Most dogs will naturally lower their hindquarters into a sitting position as their head goes up to follow the treat.

Step 4: Say the Command “Sit”

As your dog begins to lower his or her rear end to the floor, clearly and calmly say the command “sit.” Avoid repeating the command multiple times; you want your dog to respond to a single command.

Step 5: Praise and Reward Immediately

Give them the treat the instant your dog sits and offer enthusiastic praise. The reward timing is critical for your dog to associate sitting with receiving a treat and your approval.

Step 6: Release Them From the Sit

After your dog sits and enjoys its treat, encourage it to stand back up so you can repeat the process. Use a release word like “okay” or “free” to signal that they can move out of the sit position.

Step 7: Repeat the Exercise

Practice the “sit” command repeatedly in short but frequent training sessions. Sessions should last around 5 to 10 minutes to keep your dog’s attention.

Step 8: Gradually Fade Out the Treat

Once your dog starts regularly sitting on command, you should reduce the reliance on treats. Start by only giving a treat every other time, then less frequently. Continue to always offer praise.

Step 9: Introduce Distractions

As your dog becomes more reliable in sitting on command in a quiet place, begin practicing in environments with more distractions. This will help reinforce the command.

Remember, consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience are essential when teaching your dog any command. Keep training sessions short, frequent, and fun for you and your dog!

Teach Your Dog the Shake Hands Trick

Teaching your pup to shake your hand calmly is a fun and entertaining dog trick that can be accomplished with patience, consistency, and treats.

Step 1 & 2: Get Your Dog’s Attention:

Ensure your dog is focused on you. You might want to start a training session after some exercise when your dog is a bit calmer.

Have your dog sit. The shake command is usually easier to learn from a sitting position.

Step 3: Introduce the Command “Shake”

Hold a treat in your hand and let your dog see it. Close your hand around the treat and say the command “shake” as you do so. Most dogs will sniff your hand and may paw at it to get the treat.

Step 4: Grab the Paw

As soon as your dog raises its paw, gently grab it with your hand. It’s essential to respond quickly so your dog associates the action and the command.

Shake your dog’s paw gently while saying “good shake” or “good (dog’s name)” in an encouraging tone.

Step 5: Reward

IPraise your pet immediately upon completion. The reward should be given to reinforce the action once the desired behavior is performed.

Step 6: Repeat

Repeat the “shake” command and paw grabbing, followed by a reward, several times over multiple training sessions.

Keep the sessions short and positive (around 5 to 10 minutes each), to maintain your dog’s attention.

Step 7: Gradual Handover

Start phasing out the treats slowly. Continue to ask for your dog’s paw with the shake command, but begin giving the treat intermittently.

Eventually, your dog will shake hands on command without needing a treat every time.

Step 8: Practice and Patience

Practice the shake command in different locations and at different times of the day. The more you practice, the stronger the behavior will be.

Always be patient, and never punish your dog for not performing! Positive reinforcement is key.

Step 9: Generalize the Behavior

Once your dog has learned to shake hands with you, you can help him or her understand that they can do it with others. Have multiple people practice the shake command with your dog.

Remember that some dogs will pick up this trick faster than others. Always end your trick training sessions on a n enthusiastic note.

If your dog is getting frustrated, it’s better to take a break and try again later. Consistent, short, and positive training sessions are the best way to teach your dog this friendly and fun trick.

Teach the Lie Down Command

Teaching your dog to lie down on command is a useful and important skill, and it can be achieved through positive reinforcement techniques.

This is a great skill if you want your dog to calm down in a given situation.

Step 1: Find a Quiet Place

Choose a quiet location without distractions to begin training your dog. This helps your pet maintain focus on both you and the task at hand.

Make sure you have your dog’s attention. Hold a treat in your hand, and let your dog see and smell it to focus on you.

Step 2: Start with the ‘Sit’ Command

Have your dog start in a sitting position. It’s often easier to transition to ‘lie down’ from ‘sit’ because your dog is already in a partially submissive stance.

Step 3: Introduce the ‘Lie Down’ Command

While your dog is sitting, hold a treat in your hand close to your pet’s nose. Slowly lower your hand straight down to the ground between his/her front paws, and then slowly move it straight out and away, staying close to the ground.

As your dog’s nose follows the treat, they should naturally move into a lying down position.

Step 4: Use the Command Word

As you move the treat towards the ground, clearly and calmly say the command word “down” or “lie down”. It’s important to use the same word consistently so as not to confuse your dog.

Step 5: Praise and Reward

The moment your pet lies down, praise them and give them the treat. It’s crucial to reward the behavior immediately to help your dog make the connection between the command and the action.

Step 6: Release Command

Use a release word, such as “okay” or “free”, to let your pup know they can get up.

Over time, your pet will understand that they should stay in the ‘down’ position until the release command for this simple dog trick is given.

Step 7: Repeat the Process

Repeat the process several times in a session. Keep training sessions short, around 5 to 10 minutes, to avoid overworking your dog and to keep their attention.

Step 8: Gradually Reduce the Lure

Once your dog begins to reliably respond to the command, start to fade out the use of the treat as a lure. Instead, use only the hand signal and the verbal command, treating your dog only after they lie down.

Conclusion: Basics to Remember

When introducing your pet to new dog tricks, remember that positive reinforcement is the cornerstone of successful training! Praise and treat reward correct behavior, encouraging repetition.

Consistency is crucial with easy trick training! Always use the same command for a specific action, and follow through with rewards promptly to reinforce the association.

Be patient and keep in mind that each dog learns at their own pace. Avoid showing frustration if progress seems slow.

Practice in Different Settings

Once your pet is at a comfortable point with the ‘lie down’ command at home, start practicing in different locations with more distractions. This helps your dog understand the command in a variety of situations.

Shorten and Randomize Rewards

As your dog becomes more consistent, you can start to give treats intermittently rather than every time. This will help convince your pet to follow the command even without expecting a treat.

Patience and Consistency in Trick Training

Be patient and consistent with your commands and rewards. If your dog is having trouble, break the task down into smaller parts and reward those incremental achievements.