How to Teach a Puppy Basic Tricks

Teaching a dog tricks is easy, especially if it is young. Therefore, it is ideal to start teaching your dog tricks when it is just a puppy. To do this, you need patience, as dogs have individual personalities and some are easier to train than others. Here are some tips on how to teach your puppy basic tricks.

Instructions

1. How to Teach a Puppy Basic Tricks

   • 1

     Teach your dog to sit by gently pushing on its lower back and butt area and repeating “sit, sit”. Do not force your puppy to do so. However, the moment it sits after you say the comment, even if the dog does so for only a moment, give it a treat, pet it, kiss it and show the dog affection and respond verbally very enthusiastically.

   • 2

     Make your puppy lie down. When it is sitting, rub its side and then its belly and push on it gently until it lies down–all while repeating “lie down, lie down”. If the dog has done so, reward the puppy with a treat and an encouraging word and gesture. Repeat the process until the dog lies down on comman

   • 3

     Teach your puppy to roll over by saying “roll over” while gently massaging his or her belly when the dog is lying down on its side and rolling his or her body gently until the animal is lying on its opposite side. Then reward them with a treat or an encouraging word and gesture. Repeat until the dog does so without you touching them.

   • 4

     Teach your puppy to shake hands. Lift one of the dog’s paws when it is sitting and say “shake”. Then give the dog a treat and an encouraging word or gesture. Repeat until the dog raises a paw on command. You can also immediately repeat the trick using the other paw, and say “other hand”.

   • 5

     Teach your puppy to “sing” by saying “sing” and then emitting the equivalent of a dog wail yourself. The dog will learn that this means “singing” and the high pitch will also encourage it to wail in solidarity. If and when the dog does, reward it and repeat this trick until it does it on its own. This is actually a very basic instinct dogs possess as part of their genetic makeup, as they decend from wolves, who howl in response to other wolf howls–to show solidarity.

How to Train a Rescue Dog

Many people say rescue dogs make the best companions because they are grateful. That may or may not be true but rescue dogs certainly deserve a wonderful home and some training. Some have issues but usually it is easier to train a rescue dog than it is to train a puppy.

Instructions

1. How to Train a Rescue Dog

2. Assess your new rescue dog. If you got your dog from a rescue where he spent time in a foster home, the foster owner will be able to tell you a lot about the dog. Usually they know how he is with other dogs, cats, children and his general level of training so you have a head start.

3. If your rescue dog came from a shelter, you will need to watch and learn what, if any, issues he has and what sort of training he needs.

4. Start teaching your dog that people are friendly. Many people think their rescue dog has been “abused” because he acts shy or barks at people. Usually these dogs have not been abused but have not been socialized well so they don’t trust people.

5. Get in the habit of carrying a small bag of yummy treats when your dog is meeting new people. Have people give him a treat and pet him gently under the chin or ears if he seems nervous. Don’t push him into situations he is not comfortable with, give him time to learn to trust.

6. Teach your rescue dog to sit on command if he doesn’t already know how. This is a very useful command for any dog to learn. He can sit while being petted by people instead of jumping up. He can sit at curbs when you’re on walks. Use a treat and lure him by moving it over his head until he sits. Once he has the idea, reinforce it by having him sit for meals, to go in and out the door and for treats. Not only will he be well-mannered but he will realize that you are in charge and he can make good things happen by sitting politely.

7. Get your rescue dog used to a crate. Not every dog needs to be crated while you are away from home of course. But until you know whether he gets anxious, destructive, or won’t potty in the house in your absence, a crate is a wonderful tool. Give him his meals in his crate. If he likes to play fetch or tug, throw the toy into the crate so he associates it with fun things.

8. Be consistent with all your commands and rewards. Use the same words for everything and before you know it your dog will have a big vocabulary. Have words for every action — going in and out, sitting, going to crate, play time, eating, going in the car, going for a walk. If you use the same word each time your dog will quickly make the association and you can then use that word as a command.

9. Take a basic obedience class. Dogs of any age can take basic obedience classes, they are not just for puppies. Group classes are fun and inexpensive and you and your new dog will both learn a lot. As a bonus your dog will learn to pay attention to you around distractions and if he has any issues with other dogs, the trainer will help you work through them.

HOW TO DO CPR ON YOUR DOG

I have personally had to do CPR on one of my dogs just this summer and I was very thankful that I knew how. As I was telling people of our ordeal I realized how many people I knew that didn’t know how to perform dog CPR so I decided to find a good video for all of you! Please take the time to watch it! I hope you never have to use it, but if you do you will be thankful that you took the time to watch this video. Also you guys need to build your self a dog first aid kit!!  I will post how to make a good first aid kit on my next blog! If you own a dog, pet sit a dog, or know a dog you need both a kit and to watch this video!