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The doghouse

What tricks can I teach my dog?

10 replies

MissShapesMissStakes · 12/03/2020 15:53

I have looked online but can't see one good place so end up watching loads of YouTube videos that are actually not that useful in the end.

He can do turn around, sit, lie down, leave, drop, stand up, stay. All the basics.

My daughter wants him to do play dead or roll over but he's just not willing to move that way.

He's not clicker trained. So it's more lure training.

What do your dogs do?

This is not because he's a performing monkey, but because it's a fun thing to do with him. And he loves a treat but he needs to earn those.

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FortunaMajor · 12/03/2020 16:00

Have a look at Do More With Your Dog. It's a trick dog programme with different levels to work to. There are guide books to go with the programme and Facebook groups with videos of how to get started.

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GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 12/03/2020 17:31

Mine does 'bench' (jump onto a raised surface) and 'through' (come between my legs from behind and sit).

A really good one to teach is the stop (lots of videos on YouTube) which can keep your dog out of trouble when a recall isn't appropriate or necessary.

Will your dog retrieve? If you can nail that, you can do directional work and what are called memories and blinds (memory = dog sees item set out, is walked away anything from 5 to 150 yards and is sent back for it; blind = dog does not see item set out but you direct it in the right direction - most people start along a path).

Scent work is also good fun - I took my younger dog on a course but I suspect that there are videos etc available.

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adaline · 12/03/2020 18:30

As well as the ones you've already listed, mine can do the following:

Spin (both directions)
Weave through legs
Roll over (both directions) though this took six months to teach!
Paw
High five
Find your ball
Find your treat

There are probably more but I can't remember any of them right now!

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MaryLennoxsScowl · 12/03/2020 21:46

Mine knows some though not all of the above and can also find toys and people by name - we play with the item hiding it under our leg/a cushion or something nearby saying ‘where’s X?’ and then move it further away. It only needs a few repetitions and he’ll go find it in other rooms or from behind sofa.

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MaryLennoxsScowl · 12/03/2020 21:49

I want to teach him to jump into my arms as I saw a dog doing that on YouTube but not sure how to train that!

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Pipandmum · 12/03/2020 21:53

How about agility training? I think 'tricks' more than what you have mentioned and he is a performing monkey.

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MissShapesMissStakes · 12/03/2020 23:26

Thanks everyone. Some great ideas and I will have a look at that Facebook group.

We are looking into agility but going to get some stuff for the garden as he's not happy around other dogs and will just freeze or lie on his back and submit. So he would be useless at a class. He likes to think he's a human I think. Maybe if he likes agility it's a good way to find him some doggy friends eventually.

He's def not a performing monkey. He enjoys spending time with us (especially when we have treats) and using his brain. I think learning a few tricks are great for bonding too.

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MissShapesMissStakes · 12/03/2020 23:28

Adeline - I don't think I have ever seen ddog roll over in his life! He was so unwilling to even contemplate the idea. Despite mackerel AND cheese. After a few weeks I've given up on that one. Not sure I have the stamina for six months with it!

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adaline · 13/03/2020 06:33

@MissShapesMissStakes

I remember getting so frustrated 😂 he did it once in the early days and I went mad with praise but it took him months to do it again! He'll do it all the time now though.

I used KikoPup - she's on YouTube and she's fantastic for showing you the exact stages you need to go through as it's actually quite a complex thing for them to learn - they're not all comfortable exposing their bellies on command either.

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GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 13/03/2020 06:43

I think learning a few tricks are great for bonding too
Spot on. Playing with and training your dog helps you to understand each other, and the dog associates you with fun. This helps to make you the best thing ever in your dog's world, so your dog wants to please you more and becomes more responsive. You enjoy your dog more, too.

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