Training your dog not only strengthens the bond between you and your pet but also provides them with mental stimulation, a sense of accomplishment, and the joy of learning new skills. After mastering the basics like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” many dog owners want to challenge their dogs further with advanced tricks. These tricks not only showcase your dog’s intelligence but also entertain and impress both you and anyone who watches.
In this article, we will explore some fun advanced tricks to teach your dog, how to go about teaching them, and how each trick can enhance your dog’s behavior and mental well-being. Whether you are looking to impress friends with your dog’s newfound skills or just provide them with more engagement, advanced tricks can be a fulfilling challenge for both you and your dog.
Why Teach Advanced Tricks?
Before jumping into the specifics of the tricks, it’s essential to understand why advanced training is beneficial for both you and your dog. Advanced tricks go beyond the basics and help your dog develop a deeper connection with you. Here are some benefits of teaching your dog advanced tricks:
- Mental Stimulation: Dogs need mental exercise just as much as they need physical exercise. Advanced tricks challenge your dog’s problem-solving abilities and can help keep their mind sharp.
- Improved Focus and Attention: Teaching advanced tricks requires a high level of attention and focus, which can help improve your dog’s overall obedience and behavior.
- Strengthened Bond: The process of teaching advanced tricks enhances the bond between you and your dog. It requires patience, communication, and understanding.
- Boosted Confidence: Successfully learning new tricks builds your dog’s confidence and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
- Fun and Entertainment: Let’s face it, advanced tricks are fun! They allow you to showcase your dog’s talents and impress your friends and family.
Fun Advanced Tricks to Teach Your Dog
Now that we’ve established why advanced tricks are great, let’s dive into the specific tricks that you can teach your dog. These tricks vary in difficulty, and each one builds on different skills, from balancing to problem-solving. Take your time and enjoy the learning process together.
- Roll Over
The “roll over” trick is a classic that always impresses. It’s a fun way to build your dog’s flexibility and coordination.
How to Teach It:
- Start by having your dog lie down.
- Hold a treat in your hand and move it slowly from one side of your dog’s head to their shoulder, encouraging them to roll over onto their side.
- As they follow the treat with their head, their body will naturally follow, and they will eventually roll over.
- Once they perform the action, reward them with the treat and praise.
- Repeat until your dog rolls over on command.
The “roll over” trick is a great exercise for improving your dog’s flexibility and agility while also reinforcing the “down” position.
- Play Dead (“Bang”)
This is a fun trick where your dog acts as though they’re dead, usually after a dramatic “bang” from you. It’s a crowd-pleaser and can be taught at any age.
How to Teach It:
- Start by having your dog lie down in a relaxed position.
- Hold a treat in your hand and move it toward their side, prompting them to roll onto their back.
- As they fall into the position, say “bang” or any command word you prefer.
- Reward and praise your dog immediately after they play dead.
- Over time, add the verbal cue “bang” just before they roll over and play dead.
The “play dead” trick showcases your dog’s ability to follow dramatic cues and offers them a fun way to show off their acting skills.
- Spin
Spinning is an exciting and simple trick that can be taught relatively quickly. It’s a great way to engage your dog in something fun and interactive.
How to Teach It:
- Start by holding a treat in front of your dog’s nose.
- Slowly move the treat in a circle, encouraging your dog to follow it with their eyes and body.
- As they complete the circle, reward and praise them.
- Once they start spinning on their own, add the verbal cue, such as “spin” or “twirl.”
- Repeat until they can perform the spin reliably on command.
The “spin” trick is a fun way to build your dog’s coordination and attention skills.
- Speak (Bark on Command)
For dogs who love to bark, teaching them to bark on command is an exciting and useful trick. You can teach your dog to “speak” whenever you ask, which can be entertaining and even serve a practical purpose.
How to Teach It:
- Start by getting your dog excited by playing with them or getting them excited about a toy or treat.
- Wait until they bark naturally, and then immediately say the cue word “speak.”
- Reward and praise your dog after they bark on command.
- With repetition, your dog will learn to associate the command with the action of barking.
The “speak” trick is a great way to channel your dog’s barking behavior in a controlled and fun way.
- Back Up (Walk Backwards)
Teaching your dog to back up can be a great exercise for their coordination and balance. It’s also a useful skill for navigating tight spaces and reinforcing obedience.
How to Teach It:
- Start by standing in front of your dog and having them in the “sit” position.
- Hold a treat in your hand and move it toward your dog’s nose, but just out of reach.
- Move your hand backward, encouraging your dog to back up to follow the treat.
- As they move backward, say the cue word, such as “back up.”
- Reward and praise them once they successfully back up.
This is a fantastic trick that also promotes your dog’s ability to follow instructions and move in a controlled manner.
- Weave Through Legs
Weaving through your legs is a fun and impressive trick that combines agility and coordination. It’s also a great way to engage your dog’s brain and improve their flexibility.
How to Teach It:
- Start by standing with your legs apart and holding a treat in front of your dog’s nose.
- Slowly guide them through your legs with the treat, encouraging them to follow.
- Once they complete the movement, reward them.
- Repeat and gradually add a verbal cue such as “weave” or “through.”
- Once they are familiar with the movement, practice weaving through your legs in both directions.
This trick requires focus and agility, and it’s a great way to enhance your dog’s physical coordination.
- Bring Me the Remote (or Other Items)
This advanced trick takes advantage of your dog’s natural ability to fetch and bring items. Teaching your dog to bring you specific items on command can be highly practical and fun.
How to Teach It:
- Start by introducing your dog to the object you want them to fetch, such as a remote, phone, or a toy.
- Begin by showing them the item and using a cue such as “fetch” or “bring it.”
- When they pick it up, reward them with a treat and praise.
- Gradually increase the complexity by encouraging them to bring you the item from different locations in the room or house.
- Once they can reliably fetch and bring the item to you, add a specific command like “remote” or “phone.”
This trick is useful for everyday life and can be a helpful way to teach your dog about fetching particular items.
- Fetch the Newspaper or Mail
A practical trick that doubles as a useful task, fetching the newspaper or mail is a fun challenge for dogs who love to retrieve items.
How to Teach It:
- Start by introducing your dog to the object they will retrieve, such as the newspaper or mail.
- Place the object near your dog and encourage them to grab it using the “fetch” command.
- Once they have the object, call them to bring it back to you.
- Reward and praise when they successfully bring it to you.
- Over time, move the newspaper or mail further away and increase the complexity.
This is a great trick for dogs who enjoy retrieving objects, and it can be practical for everyday use.
Advanced Training Tools and Tips
Teaching advanced tricks requires the right training tools. Tools like treats, clickers, and toys can make the process more efficient and enjoyable for your dog. Consider using training tools like a clicker for positive reinforcement or puzzle toys to engage your dog in thinking. These tools can help your dog focus and stay motivated during training sessions.
Professional Dog Training Services
If you are looking for more personalized assistance or advanced techniques, dog training services are a great option. Professional trainers can assess your dog’s personality and needs, offering a structured training plan tailored to your dog’s behavior and learning pace.
For puppies who are just starting their training journey, consider puppy training to build a solid foundation for more advanced tricks later on. If your dog already has basic obedience and you’re ready to move forward, behavioral training can be a great way to address any lingering issues and fine-tune their skills.
Conclusion
Teaching your dog advanced tricks not only provides fun challenges for both you and your dog, but it also improves their mental stimulation, confidence, and overall behavior. Whether you’re teaching them to roll over, fetch the remote, or weave through your legs, these advanced tricks help create a stronger bond and give your dog a sense of accomplishment. Remember, patience and consistency are key when training your dog. Enjoy the process, and soon you’ll have a dog that can impress everyone with their impressive repertoire of tricks!
