| "> | | | | learn to crawl and play dead, begin with playing dead. |
| Okay, who among us does not love to watch movies | | | | Have Tina lie down. Either roll her on her side yourself, |
| with well trained dogs? Dogs like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Air | | | | or use a favorite toy as an assistant. Tell her to "Stay |
| Bud, and Pongo the Dalmatian? These dogs do cool | | | | dead." Before too long, you will only need the word |
| dog tricks that are far beyond the basic dog training. Is | | | | "dead." |
| it really possible for your average Tina to learn beyond | | | | To teach Tina to crawl, have her lie down, and then tell |
| dog obedience training? | | | | her to stay a minute. Next, sit on the floor a couple of |
| Good news! Even a rescued dog can surely learn | | | | inches away. Keeping your hand just barely above the |
| these adorable and simple dog tricks. I will show you | | | | floor, motion for her to come. As she crawls, |
| how to get your dog to wave, play dead, dance, and | | | | encourage her with calmly saying "Crawl; that-a-girl, |
| crawl. These are actually easy tricks to teach dogs. | | | | crawl!" Reward her with affection, or use a favorite |
| Before you begin teaching Tina to do dog tricks for | | | | toy if you like. |
| entertainment purposes, it is essential for her to have | | | | Dancing is another of the popular tricks to teach dogs. |
| mastered all the basic dog obedience commands. | | | | You want your Tina to learn to dance around in a |
| These include sit, down, stay, heel (left and right), come, | | | | circle, but how? Form an "O" with your hand. Move |
| as well as a long sit, down, or stay, and all commands | | | | your hand slowly in a circle, while moving your body |
| performed off leash. The dog must also be able to | | | | around as necessary, to get your dog to follow your |
| handle distractions. | | | | hand in a circular fashion. All the while you are saying, |
| Let us start with showing Tina how to "shake," which | | | | "Dance. Let's dance." (Or something similar.) If Tina |
| follows with a wave session next. If Tina likes to use | | | | jumps at your hand, make her sit, then get her on a |
| her paws, say "Good shake," and reward her with | | | | heel and have her follow you with your hand still in the |
| affection when she places her paw in your hand. If | | | | "O" position, your arm slowly moving in a circle. She will |
| Tina does not like to use her paws, help her. Place her | | | | start to get the idea. |
| paw in your hand and tell her shake. Repeat the | | | | Next, you might teach Tina to dance standing on her |
| exercise three to five times in a row to drill it in and | | | | back legs. This is especially easy if your dog likes to |
| reinforce it, always using the same hand and the same | | | | jump or stand for affection. Just set it up so that she is |
| paw. | | | | doing the motion, then give it a name (e.g., "dance" or |
| Repeat this entire exercise session four to six times a | | | | "groove") and reward her for doing the motion. "Good |
| day, but with no more than five iterations at once. This | | | | Groove!" |
| keeps Tina from getting bored. | | | | As you see, your dog can learn how to do these |
| Now that Tina has mastered shaking hands, ask her to | | | | simple dog tricks in a step by step process. Be aware, |
| sit in readiness for the next of her cool dog tricks - | | | | though, that Tina needs a motion first, which is then |
| waving. Then put your hand out about an inch away | | | | associated with a word. Otherwise, you give a word |
| from her. When she reaches for your hand, tell her | | | | command and the dog becomes confused, anxious |
| "Good wave." Increase the distance a little more each | | | | and frustrated, eager to please but not knowing how. It |
| time. If Tina gets frustrated, go back to the last time | | | | is easy for her to watch your hand, though. So, induce |
| she waved and help her with the increased distance. | | | | an action or reward a behavior, then give that behavior |
| Always play with your dog for a few minutes after | | | | a name. Before you know it, your dog will amaze your |
| each training session. Playtimes keep the whole thing | | | | friends, appearing as a dog movie star with impressive |
| relaxed and fun. It is also important bonding time. | | | | cool dog tricks! |
| Ready for more cool dog tricks? If you want Tina to | | | | |