Tips and Tricks for Dogs

Teach your dog how to:

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1. SHAKE HANDS

AIM: To teach the dog to shake hands with its paw

1. Start with the dog sitting in front of you

2. "Bridge and Reward" any slight movement of a front paw, you may assist by using a lure that your dog paws at, 'tickling' a paw until it is moved or using a lure to lean your dogs head over to the side, so that he takes the weight off a paw

3. "Bridge and Reward" any movement of the paw and gradually click and reward for higher movements, you can also just gently tap the paw he is lifting with your hand

4. When the dog is raising its paw into your hand add your cue

5. Gradually fade out the "Bridge and Reward" until only the best 'Shakes' are rewarded

6. Teach with each paw and add different commands to each paw, then both paws at the same time could be "High Ten", we can also now start to get your dog to put his paw out without touching your hand and change the cue to "Wave".

Wow! lots to teach!!!!

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2. WEAVING

AIM: To teach the dog to weave through your legs

1. Holding a lure in both hands, start with the dog at your side. Move one leg forward and offer the lure under your leg. "Bridge and Reward" for any movement towards the lure. Give a huge reward for the first complete weave through one leg. (Tip, keep the food lure close to your leg, as the dog starts to follow move the lure to the front of you).

2. Continue practicing with this leg until the dog is consistent

3. Start again with the next leg forward; going slowly rewarding each weave.

4. Continue practicing with this leg until the dog is consistent

5. Now you can try combining the two movements using a slow exaggerated walking pattern to assist the dog.

6. When the dog is starting to consistently weave through your legs introduce your cue/command and or hand signal.

REMEMBER THE BRIDGE DOES NOT INSTIGATE THE BEHAVIOUR THE TIMING OF THE BRIDGE/CLICK PHOTOGRAPHS THE BEHAVIOUR!

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3. ROLL OVER

1. Lure the dog into a 'down' position and "Bridge and Reward".

2. Move your lure slowly towards the back of the dogs neck and then towards the shoulder. "Bridge and Reward" for the dog following the lure. Make sure you move the lure slowly enough for the dog to follow

3. The dog will begin to turn and roll his body to follow the lure, "Bridge and Reward". Continue the exercise until the dog is consistent

4. Introduce your cue 'roll' and your luring hand can become your hand signal, continue until consistent.

5. Start to reward from your other hand and gradually fade your "Bridge and Reward" until you are only rewarding the best behaviours. 6. You can teach your dog to roll both ways, to keep rolling or change directions or even stop half way with its legs in the air for a dead dog.

Wow even more fun time to spend with your best friend!!!!

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4. SPIN

AIM: To teach the dog to complete a 360 degree turn

1. Lure the dog to turn his head towards his tail and "Bridge and Reward" for any movement towards where his tail was.

2. Gradually increase the turn in small increments and "Bridge and Reward" each time

3. When the dog is consistently following the lure for the full circle introduce the cue at the start of the turn

4. When the dog is consistently turning on cue/command fade out the "Bridge and Reward".

5. Vary the number of turns and teach the dog to spin in each direction.

Gee Wiz! I'm getting dizzy with all this fun stuff!!!!

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5. SOCCER

AIM: To teach the dog to bump a ball with his nose

1. Place a ball in front of the dog

2. "Bridge and Reward" any movement or interest towards the ball

3. If the dog shows no interest rub a bit of your treat on the ball

4. Gradually increase your requirement to pushing the ball

5. When the dog is consistently bumping the ball add your cue

6 Gradually fade out your "Bridge and Reward" and only reward the hardest bumps

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6. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

AIM: To teach a dog to take a treat or leave it on cue

1. Offer a treat - just as the dog is going to take it, "Bridge and Reward"

2. As the dog will do this consistently introduce your cue/command as you offer the treat and click as the dog takes it

3. Next offer the treat in a loosely closed fist. Do not allow the dog to take it, he will try to get the treat. As soon as he stops for an instant click and say 'Take it' and treat

4. Continue this exercise until the dog is consistently waiting each time the treat is offered

5. Now as you extend your hand with the treat introduce the cue, 'leave it'. After a pause "Bridge and Reward", say 'take it' and treat

6. Fade the "Bridge and Reward" which has already been replaced by the 'take it' cue and ends the behaviour (waiting)

7. You can gradually extend this by placing treats on the floor close enough that you can snatch them if the dog just can't resist

8. Be aware that if you change the location or item you may have to go back a few steps until the dog fully understands

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7. MOVE BACK

AIM: To teach the dog to move backwards on cue

1. Stand in front of the dog and lean in towards the dog so he moves backwards

2. At the slightest indication of a backward movement even one paw "Bridge and Reward"

3. Continue doing this exercise and slowly increase the amount of movement backwards to receive a "Bridge and Reward".

4. When the dog is reliably taking several steps back then introduce the cue 'back' just before you move the dog. (You can also introduce a hand signal at this point)

5. When the dog begins to move back from your cue/command you can begin to fade your movement into the dog.

6. When the dog is consistently performing the trick you can begin to fade your "Bridge and Reward", using it for only the best efforts.

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8. OPEN DOORS

AIM: To teach your dog to open a cupboard door

1. Place a loop of cloth around your wrist or on a cupboard handle

2. Show the cloth to the dog and "Bridge and Reward" for any interest or notice of the cloth

3. Gradually increase the behaviour until the dog is being "Bridge and Rewarded" for nudging the cloth

4. When the dog is consistent with this behaviour withhold your Bridge until he tries to hold the cloth then "Bridge and Reward".

5. Next "Bridge and Reward" for any pulls on the cloth and gradually reward the stronger pulls

6. When the dog is pulling strongly attach the cloth to an easily opened cupboard door.

7. You may need to go back a step or two as the dog will not understand in the new situation, but you will find that he quickly figures it out. If the dog seems to 'lose the plot' at any stage go back a few steps and redirect him.

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9. WEARING DOGGLES OR SUNNIES

Teaching your dog to wear sunglasses involves gently conditioning him to accept handling around his face. This is a fun trick that may also prove useful when your vet or groomer needs to check your dog.

1. Have your dog make a positive association with the sunglasses by holding the sunglasses in your hand and drawing the dog's attention to them. If he looks at the glasses "Bridge and Reward".

2. Ask your dog to sit and slowly raise the sunglasses towards his face. If he sits there confidently and does not move away "Bridge and Reward". If he moves away from the glasses start again with the sunnies further away from his face.

3. Gradually bring the sunglasses closer to your dog's face. "Bridging and Rewarding" as you progress.

4. Now place the sunglasses on your dog's nose, just for a second. "Bridge and Reward".

5. Gradually increase the time that your dog will sit and wear his sunglasses

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10. PLAY DEAD

1. Begin with your dog lying down and you crouching in front of him. Show your dog that you have a treat in your hand.

2. Place a treat near his nose and gently lure his nose towards his hips. As his head follows your hand "Bridge and Reward". If your dog raises himself off the ground simply ask him to lie down and start again. This time use a smaller had movement.

3. Continue "Bridging and Rewarding" as your dog stretches his head and shoulders towards his hips. Once his head reaches his hips, move your food lure over his back and towards the floor. Once he reaches this point he will shift his weight to one side.

4. Continue luring until he is lying flat on his side. Introduce the cue "Bang".

5. The key to having a dead dog is no wagging tail! Just wait a little to see if your dog stops wagging his before you "Bridge and Reward".

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11. RETRIEVE THE REMOTE CONTROL

This trick will involve your dog carrying the TV remote control in his mouth. As remote controls are quite delicate your dog will need to learn to carry an object carefully and not bite down on it. You will be wise to start with an object less valuable than the remote control, such as a small plastic bottle. This will give you an indication of the pressure your dog is applying from his jaws.

1. Sit in a chair facing your dog with your hands behind you. In one hand you are holding the plastic bottle. In the other is a treat.

2. Pull out the plastic bottle and quickly show it to your dog. If he moves towards it, praise him. If he touches with his nose "Bridge and Reward"

3. If your dog ignores the plastic bottle hide it behind your back again. This time produce it in a more exciting way, Lean down as you pull it out from behind you. If your dog looks at the bottle or moves forward to touch it "Bridge and Reward".

4. Repeat this many times. "Bridge and Reward" your dog each time he touches the bottle.

5. When your dog is reliably touching the bottle each time it is presented it is time to raise the stakes. Ask him for 2 or 3 or 4 touches before you "Bridge and Reward".

6. As your dog starts to work harder and harder for a treat he is likely to open his mouth onto the bottle. When this happens "Bridge and Reward" and jackpot him with a handful of treats.

7. Initially "Bridge and Reward" your dog for holding the bottle for only a second.

8. Gradually increase the time that your dog is holding the bottle. If he chomps on the bottle remove it from his mouth and go back a step in your training. "Bridge and Reward" only fro holding the bottle gently.

9. Now that he is holding the bottle reliably it is time to ask your dog to retrieve.

10. Drop the bottle on the ground, remember we a still training this from the comfort of a seat!! If you dog picks up the bottle and puts it back in your hand then "Bridge and Reward" and Jackpot!!!

11. Gradually increase the distance between you and the bottle. Send your dog to the bottle with the cue "TV Time" and reward him when he brings it back to your hand. If he chews the bottle or drops it try again at a shorter distance.

12. Now that your dog is reliably and GENTLY retrieving a plastic bottle you can transfer the cue "TV Time' to the remote control. Happy Channel Surfing!

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12. UP AGAINST THE WALL YOU'RE BUSTED!

Stand next to a wall with your right profile facing it. With a snack in your right hand reach up high enough to the wall that your dog can't quite reach it. Pat the wall with your hand a few times and say "up against the wall you're busted"! (Use a little excitement in your voice, later you can sound commanding.) Sometimes they will jump up to try and get it.....Nooooo.

When your dog stretches out and puts it's cute little paws on the wall, "Bridge and Reward". Do this a few times to get the behaviour happening. You could also teach you dog to keep his nose against the wall!

Now try to swivel around behind your dog kind of like straddling it and just sort of help support it there for a few seconds. Quickly "Bridge and Reward".

You can teach them to hold in the against the wall position. From that position then get your dog to hold that position while you pat him down from his shoulders to the base of his back legs, "Just checking your not concealing anything"!