5 Super Easy Tricks to Teach Your Dog

Training your dog most definitely requires patience and perseverance, but at Good Boy we know just how important it is not to give up on training those furry pooches, even when it seems impossible – and what better way than with easy tricks to teach your dog. Teaching your dog training tricks is really rewarding for both the pet parent and the pooch – it does usually involves dog treats after all!

You might be wondering, why do I need to teach my dog training tricks? The biggest bonus is that it helps to keep your pooch’s brain stimulated. Tricks are a fantastic way to gain your dog’s focus, and whilst this stimulation is great at home, once it’s built up the focus can be used outside of the home too! This is not the only juicy bonus, no no no, tricks also promote a bond between dog and hooman. As treats are used as a form of reward, when teaching tricks, the endorphins that are released when treating is a key part of the dog developing a bond with their owner.

And now for the most important part – how to teach a dog tricks! We have put together a step-by-step “how to” guide on our top 5 easy dog tricks that you can teach to your dog at home!

🐾 Good Boy Top Tip:- We recommend you start training with your dog at a young age, even basic training. Not only will they be more enthusiastic, it’ll help to burn off some of that excitable puppy steam! Read more about our 5 Simple Training Tips here.

Hand Touch Dog Trick

Aim  – Your dog will touch their nose to your palm.

How to teach trick:

1. Place a tasty treat between your fingers and hold your palm out flat to the side at the height of your dogs head.
2. When your dog touches your hand to take the treat say your praise word e.g ‘Good Boy’, ‘Yes’, ‘Good’ etc. And throw a second treat on the floor for them to eat.
3. After repeating this exercise a couple of times, your dog will start to automatically return to your palm after eating the thrown treat. At this stage no longer place a treat between your fingers, just continue to use your praise word and thrown treat whenever your dog touches your palm.
4. Once your dog has mastered this, you can move your palm to a new location and your dog should follow. For example place your palm on the ground, up high or even between your legs. It is at this stage that you can add a verbal command to this exercise.

Start Line Dog Trick

Aim – Your dog will stand, sit or lay down between your legs, facing the same way as you.

How to teach trick:

1. Your dog will start off by facing you. With a treat in your hand, lure your dog around one leg into position between your legs. Once in this position give the treat to them, whilst saying your praise word e.g ‘Good Boy’, ‘Yes’, ‘Good’ etc and then throw a second treat away from your legs for your dog.
2. Repeat this until your dog starts to anticipate the movement and automatically returns back between your legs. It is at this stage that you can add a verbal command to this dog trick.

Roundabout Dog Trick

Aim – Your dog will circle around your legs.

How to teach trick:

1. With your dog stood in front of you and your legs firmly together, lure your dog around your body and into the heel position. Once here, give the treat to your dog, whilst saying your praise word e.g ‘Good Boy’, ‘Yes’, ‘Good’ etc and then throw a second treat away from your legs for your dog.
2. Repeat this exercise until you no longer need to lead your dog with the treat in front of their nose, but rather they can do the trick with just a hand gesture or verbal command.

Spin Dog Trick

Aim – Your dog will turn in a circle.

🐾 Good Boy Top Tip:- A dog is able to learn both left and right spin, so it is best to teach one direction first and then the second direction using a different command.

How to teach trick:

1. With your dog standing in front of you, use a treat to lure your dog in a circular motion. As your dog completes a full turn say your praise word e.g ‘Good Boy’, ‘Yes’, ‘Good’ etc and give them the treat.
2. Once your dog has mastered this you can remove the treat from your lure hand and just gesture for your dog to spin.
3. Repeat this exercise until you no longer need to lead your dog with the treat in front of their nose, but rather they can do the trick with just a hand gesture or verbal command.

Backwards Dog Trick

Aim – Your dog will walk backwards.

How to teach trick:

1. Stand with your dog facing you. Walk towards your dog and as they take a step back say your praise word e.g ‘Good Boy’, ‘Yes’, ‘Good’ etc and give them the treat.
2. Continue this method until your dog is able to take multiple steps back before praising and treating.
3. As your dog progresses you can add in a verbal command and reduce how much you need to walk towards them.

🐾 Good Boy Top Tip:- If you find that your dog is unable to walk backwards in a straight line, try this trick in either a narrow hallway or along the back of the sofa.

Has your doggy mastered these 5 easy dog tricks? Try taking our All Dogs, New Tricks quiz here to see whether your dog is a ‘Super Pooch’ an ‘Up & Comer’ or a ‘Loveable Rogue’. Or why not share your pooch’s favourite trick with us on social media, you can find us on Good Boy Instagram or Good Boy Facebook page. Just share your trick with us by using the hashtag #GoodBoyUGCYes and we’ll repost and share our favourites!