52 Tricks To Teach Your Dog

Teaching Your Dog To Respond To The Clicker

This is not exactly a trick but it has to be taught and is the foundation of almost every other trick on this list.

Step 1: Click and give the dog a treat.

Step 2: Repeat five times. This teaches your dog to associate the click with the treat.

Step 3: To maintain this connection it is important to follow the rule: Never click without treating and never treat without clicking. (We have one exception to this important rule and that is with the recall or "come" command number eight below).

Name - Yes every dog needs to know its name

Step 1: When your dog looks at you, click and treat.

Step 2: Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Step 3: Say his name as he looks at you.

Step 4: Repeat 5-7 times.

Step 5: Call him. If he looks at you, click and give him a Jackpot.
If he does not look, go back to step four.

Touch - Touch is a useful trick that will help with training many other tricks

Needed: A clicker and training stick (a 3/8” dowel with masking tape on the ends will do nicely).

Step 1: With your dog sitting in front of you hold the clicker in your left hand (or right if you are left handed) and the training stick in your right (or left if you are left handed.

Step 2: Very gently touch the dog’s nose with the taped end of the training stick and simultaneously click then treat.

Step 3: Repeat about five times per session.

Step 4: When the dog begins to lean forward in anticipation as he sees the training stick then let him touch the stick instead of you touching his nose. Say “touch” and click and treat when he touches the stick. Jackpot the first time he does this.

When he is proficient with this trick then you may begin to us the stick as a lure to shape other behavior. You can also use your left hand instead of a training stick.

Sit - Every dog should know this

Step 1: Wait until he sits down on his own. Click. Treat.

Step 2: Repeat several times.

Step 3: Say Sit as soon as he sits down. Click. Treat.

Step 4: Repeat several times.

Step 5: Say, “Sit!” See if he will sit. If he does, click and give him Jackpot.
If he doesn’t, go back to step four.

Down

Step 1: When he lays down, click and treat.

Step 2: Repeat several times.

Step 3: Say, "Down!" when he lies down. Click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat several times.

Step 5: See if he understands. Get him to stand up, then say, "Down!" If he lies down, click and give him Jackpot. If he does not, go back to step four.

Stand - Have your dog stand still

It is useful to have your dog stand up from sitting or laying down. If your dog will stand still it makes care and grooming easier.

Step 1: While your dog is standing click and treat.
Make sure that your dog is standing naturally and relaxed with his weight balanced evenly on all four legs.
Standing is so natural that it is likely that the dog won't immediately understand why he is being rewarded, so it may take more repetition than usual.

Step 2: Begin to introduce a visual cue (like your hand gesturing upward) and a verbal command ("stand") so that he can associate those with standing. Click and treat.

Step 3: Jackpot when he stands on command.

Release

(When you dog is consistently sitting on command, then you should teach "release".)

Step 1: Give the command to sit, and wait 5 to 8 seconds before click treating.

Step 2: Give the command to sit and after your dog holds the sit 5 seconds say "release" and immediately click and treat. Repeat 4 or 5 times.

Step 3: In subsequent sessions extend the wait time (about 4 or 5 seconds per session ) before giving the release. Gradually building up so that your dog will wait several minutes before being released.

Come - The most important thing to teach your dog

Step 1: Load the cue instead of the clicker. Here is how.
Go up to your dog and give the command that you will use to call the dog, and then treat him. For example: Say the word "here Puddles" and give him a piece of bacon.

Repeat multiple times during the day and each time give different treats (bacon, chicken, kibble, tug game, always give praise).

Step 2: Go across the room and give the command. "Here Puddles" he will come to you to get his treat. When he does, click and jackpot (give a large treat or several treats). At this point in the training go back to click treating when he comes.

Step 3: Each time your dog comes to you pet his head and loop your hand under his collar before you give the treat. It should be a habit for you as well as the dog.

Step 4: Try calling him from different rooms.

Step 5: Practice calling him when he is interested in something else.

Step 6: Get your family or friends to help you out. Have someone call him. If he comes to that person, treat. If he comes to someone else, be still and quiet until he finds the person who called him. This is a fun game for him and great practice!

• NOTE 1: Don't poison the command by having the dog do something negative right after you call him (like go in the house or get in the car). Instead you could put him on a leash and play a game of tug or go for a walk or do something else that is enjoyable.
• NOTE 2: This is technically a violation of an important clicker training rule: never click without treating/never treat without clicking. However, the simplicity of this method and the fact that it doesn't seem to hurt the clicker method justifies this one exception.

Stay

Step 1: Have your dog sit. Click and treat

Step 2: Say "wait" or "stay" wait six or seven seconds. Say "release" and click and treat.

Step 3: Say "sit" "stay" and wait about ten seconds. Say "release" and click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat four or five times per session.

Step 5: Practice this trick in multiple sessions every day, gradually building up to several minutes before releasing.

Heel

Using a clicker to get a well-heeled dog.

Step 1: Begin by having your dog on a leash looped to your belt on your left side. That way you don't have to use your hands to hold the leash.

Step 2: Should your dog pull on the leash – NEVER GO IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOUR DOG IS PULLING.

Step 3: When your dog is close to you with his shoulder by your left leg then click and treat. (If you are walking you will have to stop to treat, that's ok, using the clicker in this way greatly speeds up the time it takes for your dog to learn this important skill).

Step 4: When your dog starts walking regularly by your left side, then begin using the commands "lets go" and "with me" so that the dog will associate those commands with that position by your side.

Step 5: Click and treat every ten steps that your dog completes by your left side.

Step 6: Work in 10 to 15 minute sessions about four times each day until the skill is mastered.

Step 7: When your dog is faithfully responding to the "lets go" and "with me" commands by walking by your side, then begin off leash training.

Note: Teach off leash tricks in a fenced in yard or enclosed area so that you don't lose your dog.

Take It

Step One: Get one of your dog's favorite toys and set it on the ground. Wait for him to pick it up in his mouth. Click and treat.

Step Two: Repeat this several times. When he starts picking up the toy without hesitation, start using the command "Take It" when you click and treat.

Step Three: After a few times of that, see if he will pick it up at your command!

Step Four: See how many objects he'll pick up! Point to the sock and say, "Take It." Click and treat. Point to the remote and say "Take it," etc.

Leave It - teach your dog to turn away from potentially harmful attractions.

It’s not just a trick it can save your dog’s life.

Needed: Dog biscuit, cubes of roast chicken, hot dog, liver and a clicker.

Step 1: With your dog on a leash let him smell the dog biscuit then drop it two or three feet in front of him.

Step 2: Call him by name and say “leave it” as he starts for the treat and restrain him with the leash.

Step 3: When your dog looks at you click and treat with the chicken cube. Praise him as he gives up the dog biscuit for the chicken cube treat.

Step 4: Repeat steps one to three five times the first session.

Step 5: In your next session teaching “leave it” repeat steps 1-4 but use part of a hot dog as the bait and liver as the reward.

Step 6: In subsequent sessions teach “leave it” as above but off leash in a fenced yard.

Step 7: Regularly call your dog away from things that he likes – other dogs, treats etc., and then let him go back after you have praised him.

Teaching Bring It

After you have taught your dog the tug game and the "take it" and "give" commands you can teach "bring it."

Step 1: Have your dog take a ball or toy using the "take it" command.

Step 2: Say "bring it" and start to walk away. If the dog follows a few steps holding the toy then click and treat. If he drops the toy then you have to start over. If he just stands there with the toy in his mouth you might say "bring it" and then add "let's go."

Step 3: Jackpot when he follows ten steps holding the toy then stop take the toy and say "give." Jackpot when he releases the toy.

Learn names of everything (Bob, Squeak, chew, whatever!)

Step 1: Have your dog touch your hand and click treat.

Step 2: Hold the object in you hand and say touch. Click treat when he touches the object not when he touches your hand.

Step 3: Call the object by its name (tug, squeaky, bunny, etc) just as he touches it. Click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat 5 times.

Step 5: Hold the object and say its name and click and treat when he touches it.

Step 6: For teaching the names of people (Bob, Joe, Dad, Mom . . .) and places (Bed, corner . . .) use the training stick to introduce the person or place (See go to place).

Bell (Have a jingle bell on your door for him to ring when he needs to go outside.

Step 1: Use a training stick to target the bell.

Step 2: When he touches the bell click and treat.

Step 3: When he touches the bell on his own click and jackpot.

Step 4: Whenever you take him outside, have him touch the bell first. The reward is to open the door.

Step 5: Your canine will, in a few days, learn that the door opens when he rings the bell.

Moderate this trick: reward him by opening the door only when it is reasonable that he needs to go outside to eliminate, but don't open the door if he just wants to play.

Park (Eliminate on command)

 (Teaching this is better than spending hours outside on a rainy day)

Step 1: Have a designated spot outside for your pet to eliminate to make clean up easier.

Step 2: Click just as he finishes and praise him and treat when he comes to you.

Step 3: Introduce a command such as "park" when he eliminates.

Step 4: Be consistent but vary the reward.

Leap - Jump over a stick

Step 1: Have your dog sit.

Step 2: Place a stick (like a dowel or broom handle) on the floor in front of him. 

Step 3: Call your dog. Click and treat when he walks over the stick.

Step 4: Repeat.

Step 5: Now get a couple of books and prop the target stick up on one side. Click/treat when he walks/jumps over it.

Step 6: Repeat. saying, “leap!” as he jumps

Step 7: Do the same with the other side. Repeat.

You can get higher with your jumps, but only go as high as is appropriate for your dog’s breed and age. To avoid hip trouble later on use moderation when teaching this trick.

Jumping Through A Hoop

Step 1: Let your dog get used to being around the hoop. Put it on the ground and click treat when he approaches it.

Step 2: Have a helper hold the hoop (do not elevate the hoop) on the floor in front of him. 

Step 3: Call your dog. Or lure him through the hoop. Click and treat when he walks through the hoop.

Step 4: Repeat.

Step 5: Hold the hoop higher and click treat when he jumps through the hoop.

Step 6: Repeat. saying, “leap!” as he jumps.

Note: Only hold the hoop as high as is appropriate for your dog’s breed and age. Consult you vet or dog trainer.

Jumping People (Nice Backyard Circus Trick)

Step 1: If your dog can comfortably jump over a stick elevated about 25 inches from the ground then you can begin to teach him to jump over people who are on their hands and knees in the crawl position.

Step 2: Have your dog jump over the stick. Click treat. (repeat a few times)

Step 3: Have a helper kneel on their hands and knees.

Step 4: Hold the stick just over them. Have your dog jump over the stick. Click and Jackpot. (If you dog won’t jump over the stick with the person under it, try having the person lie down on the ground)

Step 5: After a few repetitions have you dog jump with out using the stick. Click and treat.

Step 6: Try adding people spaced about 10 feet apart for a nice show at your next barbeque.

Go to a place (go inside his kennel, etc)

Step 1: Have your dog touch the training stick and click treat.

Step 2: Use the training stick to point to the place and click treat when he is on that spot..

Step 3: Call the place by its name (bed, corner) just as he steps into it. Click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat 5 times.

Step 5: Say the name of the place. Click and treat when he goes to the place.

Spin (Turn around and around and around and around and…)

The First Way:

Step 1: Catch your puppy in the act of chasing his tail (every dog and puppy does this - unless he doesn’t have a tail.) Click and treat.

Step 2: Say, “Spin!” when he chases it. Click and treat again.

Step 3: Repeat until he can do it on command.

Step 4: Take a break - after a couple of hours, try it again.

The Second Way:

Note: It is very easy for you to do it this way if your dog knows “Touch” before teaching him this trick.

Step 1: With your “Touch Stick,” say, “Touch!” and move the stick around into a circle so that your dog spins. Click. Treat.

Step 2: Repeat.

Step 3: Take a break. Let your dog get something to drink - take him outside, or let him take a nap.

Step 4: When both you and your dog are refreshed, Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Step 5: See if he will do it on command. If so, click and give him the Jackpot.

High Five, Paw, Shake Hands

Step 1: Have your dog sit in front of you.

Step 2: When he lifts his paw (You can encourage him to lift his paw by tickling the hollow behind his paw). Click and treat.

Step 3: Repeat five times.

Step 4: Wait for him to offer lifting his paw (however slight). Click and treat.

Step 5: Say the word “paw” each time he lifts his paw. Click and treat.

Step 6: Say the word “paw” click and treat when he lifts his paw.

Step 7: Modify the trick by rewarding only higher lifts.

Shake (Are you cold, Puppy?)

Step 1: Catch this trick with the clicker. Click and treat after you give him a bath or after you go outside in the rain when he shakes the water off.

Step 2: If he offers the behavior again click and jackpot.

Step 3: Click and treat and give the command “shake” whenever he shakes.

Step 4: Give the command -- when he shakes jackpot.

Jump

Step One: With your touch stick, hold it high in the air so that he has to jump up to touch it. As soon as his legs come off the ground, click and treat.

Step Two: Do this several times until he can do it without hesitating. Start saying, "Are you Excited?" when he jumps up to touch the stick.

Step Three: Keep doing this until he jumps at your command. Gradually stop using the touch stick and use your command instead. Click and treat whenever he does this.

Step Four: Start clicking and treating only after he jumps up and down about 3 times. Next time have him jump up and down longer. Your goal is to have him keep jumping up and down until you tell him to stop.

Roll Over - Your dog rolls his body completely over

Step 1: Have the dog lay down.

Step 2: Lure him with the training stick or with or hand or treat to have him move over to have him move over to one hip and on his side. Click and treat.

Step 3: Use the lure to get him to go over on his back. (this may take awhile for some dogs). Click and treat.

Step 4: Continue using the lure to get him to roll all the way over. Jackpot when he does this. (Some people have used gently sloping ground to make it easier for the dog to roll all the way over.)

Step 5: When your dog is rolling over easily. Stop using the lure. Expect more before you click and treat. But praise and Jackpot when he performs well.

Step 6: After he is rolling over smoothly start giving him the verbal command “roll over.” A circular hand signal is also helpful. Always praise and intermittently click and treat when he performs well.

Sit Pretty (Beg) - The Dog Sits with its hindquarters on the floor, and his front paws up as if begging

Sometimes this is an easy trick to teach, because some dogs offer it naturally.

Step One: Get down on your dogs level with your dog sitting in front of you.

Step Two: Let your dog smell a treat and then slowly lift it up above him.

Step Three: When his lifts his paws off the ground click and treat.

Step Four: Each time his hindquarters are on the floor and his paws are up say “sit pretty” and click treat.

Step Five: Repeat four or five times each training session

Speak - bark on command

This trick can be “caught” with the clicker. When your dog barks say “speak” and click and treat.

Step One: Instead of waiting all day for you dog to bark it may be more efficient to try to get him to bark. For example if you know that he barks when the doorbell is rung then when he barks say “speak” and click and treat. Or sometimes a dog will bark if you tempt him with a treat and then stand and wait. As he grows frustrated if he barks say “speak” and click and treat.

Step Two: Say “speak” when your dog barks click and treat.

Step Three: Repeat four or five times.

Teaching Hush - Your Dog Stops Barking

This trick may be more valuable than “Speak,” but “speak” is necessary to teach this trick.

Step One: While your dog is barking call his name sharply if he stops barking even for a second say “hush” and click and treat.

Step Two: Give the command to speak. Give the command “hush.” Click and treat with any pause in barking.

Step Three: Gradually increase the wait after giving the hush command.

Tips:. You might also use subtle hand signals or gestures to condition both speaking and hushing. When your dog will speak and hush with hand signals then that can be used for many other tricks.

Teaching Tug (to pull on a rope or cloth) with the “Take it” and “Give” commands

This is a series of commands that you use to play tug with your dog. Most dogs love to play “tug” and it is a useful trick to teach. It can be used to teach retrieve. It can also be used as a reward instead of a food treat.

Teaching Your Dog To Take It

Step 1: With your dog standing in front of you kneel to get on your dogs level.

Step 2: Take a rope toy and offer it to the dog and say “take it”. (Reward your dog with praise when he moves toward the rope toy.) When your dog takes it gently shake and tug the rope toy to get the dog to hold and pull against the tugs.

Teaching Your Dog To Give

Step 1: With your dog pulling firmly on he rope, say “give” at the same time offering a treat. When he drops the rope toy. Click and treat.

Step 2: Reinforce this trick by repeating four or five times per session. Pay special attention to the “Give” command. This is important for your safety. Make sure that your dog will stop the game with the “give” command.

Play tug several times a day. Each time you play the game make sure you use the commands saying “take it” when you your dog takes the rope and “give” when you want him to release the rope.

Tips: Use a special toy to teach this trick and have it only while learning the trick and playing tug. Use the “take it” command to have the dog take an object from your hand and hold it or to pick up an object that you point to and hold it in his mouth.

Open A Door:

Step One: Tie a bandana or cloth around your door. Tell him to tug it. Wait until he tugs the door open, then click and treat.

Step Two: Keep doing this, eventually saying, "OPEN" whenever he tugs the door open. Click and treat every time.

Step Three: After your training session, he should be able to open the door at your command.

Close A Door:

Step One: Put your touch stick on the door.

Step Two: Each time he touches it and moves the door a little, click and treat.

Step Three: Start waiting until he has pushed the door closed. Click and treat.

Step Four: Do this until he will close the door each time. Click and treat generously when he does this!

Step Five: Start saying "Close" when he closes the door. After repeating the action several times, he should close the door at your command.

Fetch (Retrieve a ball or item thrown and bring it back)

If your dog has mastered the "tug" game and the "bring it" command then teaching him to retrieve will be easy.

Step 1: Start by playing tug. Say "take it" when you your dog takes the rope and "give" when you want him to release the rope.

Step 2: Have your dog "give" the rope and toss it a few feet away and say "take it." Click treat when he picks up the rope.

Step 3: Repeat step two but when you dog takes the rope say "bring it" when he brings you the rope. Say "give" and click and treat.

Step 4: Practice retrieving with different objects and at greater distances. Be generous with praise and click and treat when he performs well.

Back - Train your dog to walk backwards

Tip: A narrow hallway or a place where movement is restricted could help in teaching this trick.

Step 1: With your dog standing facing you walk forward toward him when he takes a step backward click and treat.

Step 2: Continue stepping forward when he takes steps backward click and treat.

Step 3: As you step forward toward him he begins to step backward you say "back" and click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 four or five times per session

Step 5: Say "back" when you dog takes steps backward then click and treat.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 four or five times per session.

Yawn - Your dog yawns on command

This trick like "speak" is better caught with the clicker.

Step 1: Most dogs will yawn when they are anxious. You can use that to help you catch the yawn. Look for you dog to yawn when he wants to go outside or wants a ball or toy that you are holding. When he yawns click and treat.

Step 2: When he offers a yawn because he has been treated for it then say "sleepy?" and click and treat.

Step 3: Repeat step 4 four or five times per session.

Tip – This trick presents better if you use a cute command like "sleepy" or "bed time."

Retrieve Named Object

Step 1: Teach "Learn the Names of Everything" trick 12.

Step 2: Teach "retrieve" Trick 26.

Step 3: Say the name of the object (bunny), when he starts to touch the bunny say "take it" (see trick 24). Click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat several times.

Step 5: Give the command "get" bunny (or the name of the object). Click and treat when he takes it. Click and treat

Step 6: Repeat several times.

Step 7: Give the command "get" bunny. When he gets the object, say "bring it." Click and jackpot when he retrieves.

Leash - Train Your Dog To Bring You His Leash

This trick builds on the "Learn the Names of Everything" (trick 13), "take it" (trick 25), and "bring it" (trick 26) commands"

Step 1: Hold the leash out and ask you dog to "take it". Click and treat. Repeat five times in one training session.

Step 2: Repeat step 1 but have the dog hold the leash longer each time before clicking and treating.

Step 3: Have your dog follow you with the "bring it" command. Click and treat after he follows a few steps.

Step 4: Store the leash where the dog get it easily, like a basket near the door or on a closet knob, etc.

Get Your Dish

Step 1: Use "Learn the Names of Everything" trick 13 to teach him to touch his dish on command.

Step 2: Teach him to hold the dish in his mouth using the "take it" command (trick 25).

Your dog may not like holding a metal dish in his mouth, but this trick is worth the extra effort. Take extra time with this step.

Step 3: With the dish on the floor say the name "dish", when he starts to touch the dish say "take it" (see trick 24). If he takes the dish in his mouth at all click and treat.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 several times in multiple training sessions.

Step 5: With your dog holding the dish in his mouth say "bring it" (trick 26). Click and treat when he takes a few steps toward you with the dish.

Step 6: as you repeat step 3 introduce the command "get your dish". When he takes it. Click and treat

Step 7: Repeat step 6 in several sessions.

Step 8: Give the command "get your dish." Click and treat when he brings it to you. Gradually extend the distance from the bowl as you perfect this trick.

Put Toys Away

Step One: Get a large box or basket. Gather all your dogs toys and put them in a pile.

Step Two: Point to each toy and say,  "Take it," Then "Bring it" and "Drop it" into the basket. When he does this, click and give him a treat. After he puts all his toys in the basket, give him a big treat, saying "Put your toys away."

Step Three: Do this several more times. After several training sessions, you should be able to just say, "Put your Toys Away" and he will put them all in. Give him a big treat each time.

Step Four: Next, put each toy farther away from the basket. Work with him to find all his toys and put them away into the basket when you give the command.

Search/Find It

Step 1: Have your dog sit.

Step 2: Hold up an object that he is familiar with (he knows its name) and let him smell it.

Step 3: Place the object under something obvious (like a towel), and say “find it”. You might add the name of the object if it doesn’t do it quickly (“find it” bunny). Click and treat when he touches the object.

Step 4: Repeat several times, but each time you repeat move the object to a different location getting progressively more difficult. Click and treat each time.

Step 5: Let him smell and then hide other objects that he is not familiar with and give the “find it” command.

Catch

Step One: Train your dog to catch treats when you throw them. Collect bits and pieces of their favorite treat, and have your dog Sit in front of you. Throw a piece at them. If they do not catch it at first make sure you take away the treat so they will not eat it.

Step Three: Eventually your dog will attempt to catch the treat in the air; they will get desperate for that good treat you have, and will not be able to get it otherwise. When they do catch it praise them and give them a good petting.

Step Three: Now when your dog Catches the treat, say 'Catch' to reinforce the trick with its command.

Step Four: When your dog begins Catching naturally, you may introduce new objects to catch; a tennis ball is one. Have your dog to sit, and - with a few feet of distance between you - lightly toss the ball into the air, and give the command (Catch). When they do, click and treat.

Act Ashamed

Step 1: Put some scotch tape or a sticky note on your dog's nose so that he paws at it. Click and treat.

Step 2: Repeat this over and over, saying "I'm Ashamed of you!" each time he paws at it.

Step 3: Take the tape off and give your command. Give him a jackpot if he paws at his nose!

Left/Right

Step One: With your touch stick, have your dog go around your right side and finally stand by your left side. Click and treat.

Step Two: Keep doing this, eventually saying, "Left," as soon as he stands by your left side.

Step Three: Repeat this action until he no longer needs the touch stick and can go to your left side at your command.

Step Four: Do the same thing, this time teaching him to go from your LEFT side to your RIGHT side.

Weave

Step One: Set up obstacles, such as orange cones or buckets, in a straight line. With your touch stick, guide your dog in and out of the obstacles. When he goes in and out of one or two, click and treat. Continue to do this until he goes in and out of all of them.

Step Two: After getting your dog used to these motions, start saying "Weave" when he is finishing up his trick. Click and treat.

Step Three: Do this several times until your dog will weave at your command!

Count

Step One: Have your dog sit facing you.

Step Two: Hold a treat in your left hand and hold your right hand up. (Here we are getting the dog to associate the speak command with the visual command of holding your right hand up). Also look your dog in the eye (I look directly into his right eye).

Step Three: Have the dog speak, and treat when he barks.

Step Four: Repeat. But this time only drop your hand (also avert your eyes) and treat when he barks twice. (This may take some patience).

Step Five: Work on this several times a day until your little Einstein realizes he must continue to bark until you drop your hand.

Step Six: Gradually fade hold your right hand up so that your dog will use your eyes as the cue to stop speaking.

Step Seven: Keep refining this trick until he has a smooth flow of barks and stops as soon as you avert your eyes.

Bow

At the end of a performance, you take a bow with your dog!

Although many people teach Bow by forcing the dog into a Bow position, we believe it is much easier and less frustrating to capture the natural behavior of your dog. We will use this way to teach “Take a Bow.”

Step 1: Notice when your dog gets into his “Bow” position (for many dogs, it happens when they’re in a playful mood. Since most dogs use this, we’ll teach it this way).

Step 2: Start ‘rough-housing’ with your dog. Whenever he starts to get into the “bow” position, click and treat. Keep doing this until he starts doing it on his own.

Step 3: Start saying “Bow” whenever he gets into the Bow position; then click and treat. Keep doing this until he will bow at your command!

Jump Rope

Step One: Put your dog on the table. Ask him to jump. Click and treat. Your dog should stay in the same place so he won't fall off the table.

Step Two: Tie the jump rope to another object. Let your dog get used to the jump rope by moving it back and forth.

Step Three: Give the jump rope almost a full turn, stopping before it crosses your dogs legs. At this point, tell him to Jump. When he does, slide the jump rope underneath. Do this several times, clicking and treating.

Step Four: As your dog gets more accustomed to the jump rope, you will be able to have smoother rotations. Work with your dog until he can do it just right.

Fetch A Drink

Step One: Get a bottle of soda appropriate for your dog's size and put it on the ground. Tell your dog to "Take It." Click and treat when he does. Do this several times.

Step Two: Now, tell your dog to "Take It" and "Bring it." When he brings it to you, tell him "Drop it!" Do this repeatedly and remember to click/treat.

Step Three: Put the bottle a bit further away from you each time. Only click and treat if he takes it, brings it, and drops it all together. Soon, you can eliminate the three commands and instead use the phrase, "Bring me a drink!"

Step Four: Try commanding him from different spots in the room, or in different rooms. It makes a terrific trick for house guests!

Bring Tissue

The First Part: Bring me a Tissue

Step One: Set a tissue box on the ground. Tell your dog to "Take It." He may want to take the whole box - but when he takes one tissue from the box and pulls it out, click and treat.

Step Two: Have him continue to do this until he starts pulling them out on his own. Then, have him "Bring it" to you and "Drop it in your hand. Click and treat.

Step Three: Continue to do this until he does all three commands without hesitation. Start saying, "Bring Me a Tissue" when he drops it in your hand.

The Second Part: Throw It Away

Step One: Get out your waste basket. Give the tissue back to the dog and have him "Bring it" to the waste basket, "Dropping it" in. Click and treat.

Step Two: Keep doing this until he takes it, brings it, and drops it without problems or hesitating. Then, use the command "Throw it away," while he is dropping it in.

Step Three: Continue to practice this, just saying "Throw it Away" instead of the three other commands, until he is able to throw away the tissue at your command.

Light

Turn On A Light

Step One: Using either a laser pointer or touch stick, get your dog in the habit of jumping up to touch the light switch. It is best to have him jump up with his pads on the wall (instead of his claws) touching the switch with his nose.

Step Two: Using the clicker, begin clicking only when his nose pushes the light into the 'on' position. He will begin to realize the effect of his action, and expect a treat after the light comes on.

Step Three: Begin to only click when your dog begins and ends the trick by successfully turning the light on. He needs to understand that the trick is not two parts (jumping up on the wall, and hitting the switch) but one.

Turn Off A Light:

Step One: The first step is very similar to step one of teaching him to turn 'on' the light. Get your dog used to jumping up on the wall, but instead of his pads touching the wall, click when his paw hits the light switch.

Step Two: Begin clicking only when he successfully turns 'off' the lightswitch. Dogs will notice the change in light in the room, and will usually look expectantly when he successfully turns out the lights.

Step Three: Begin clicking only when your dog successfully completes the trick from beginning to end. He needs to learn that in order to be treated, he has to perform the trick in one sitting.

Limp

Step One: Hook up your dog's leash to his collar and use it to pull his front dominant paw up. Be VERY careful as you walk with him. Click and treat when he walks one or two steps.

Step Two: Keep doing this until he is successfully 'limping' with your help of the leash.

Step Three: Try to encourage your dog to put less weight on his lifted paw. Over time, use less and less force on the leash and he will be able to limp on his own.

Crawl

Step 1: Tell your dog to lay Down.

Step 2: With treat in hand, coax your dog to move forward; to ‘Come’. Make sure he does so while in the down position.

Step 3: Repeat several times. Once your dog is crawling naturally, begin saying ‘Crawl’ before you click and treat.

Step 4: Try stepping back from your dog and giving him the command, ‘Crawl’. Click and jackpot if he responds with Crawl. If not, revert to previous steps.

Play Dead

Your dog rolls on his back and lies still to give the impression that he's dead.

Step 1: Have your dog lay down. Take your touch stick, or with your treat in hand, slowly guide it so that your dog moves into the 'Play Dead' position. Click and treat. Repeat until he gets into the 'Play Dead' position without help from the touch stick.

Step 2: Keep repeating the process while saying, "Play Dead!" See if he'll do it at your command.

Step 3: In different training sessions, shape and perfect the trick by only clicking when he is in the exact position you want him to be in (i.e., legs in the air, paws bent, unmoving, etc.).

Bang!

Step One: Tell your dog to limp, crawl, and play dead, clicking and treating after he performs each action.

Step Two: Now, give him all three commands again, this time keeping the treat until the end. Repeat several times.

Step Three: Now, say, "BANG!" before giving the three commands and while he is in his "play dead" position. Click and treat.

Step Four: Continue to practice this, eventually getting rid of your three initial commands so that he does all three together as soon as he hears "BANG!"