http://www.menshealth.com
Tricks not only help you teach your dog patience and discipline, they also make for mentally stimulated—and generally happier—pets
Bark on Command
Level of Difficulty: Low
"This is a great trick because it comes naturally to most dogs," says dog trainer Rick Martin, host of the traveling Tricky Dogs Show. Start out by encouraging happy barking when your dog is excited, like when you come home or are getting ready to take him for a walk. Next, figure out a hand signal and verbal command to signal when you want him to bark. (Martin points at the dog and says, "Sing!") Keep treats handy so that you can reward him when he is successful. After your pooch connects the hand signal, verbal command, and action of barking, the opportunities are endless. Martin's dogs, for example, sing along to "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Another popular trick is to use a raised eyebrow to cue the barking so that your dog can appear to do math. Just ask him to add one plus one, and then raise your eyebrows twice.
Dance
Level of Difficulty: Medium
"It takes a lot to build the leg muscles for this trick, and it should not be attempted with a young dog because it can damage growth," cautions dog trainer Rick Martin, host of the traveling Tricky Dogs Show. Start with your (full-grown) dog in a seated position and hold a treat just above his reach. Verbally praise the dog for any effort to reach the treat, but give the food reward only when the dog's front legs are off the ground. Again, attach verbal and physical commands to the action of standing. If the dog jumps for the treat, ignore him and start again. Once he gets the hang of standing, you can add the command "Dance!" by moving the treat and teaching the dog to walk after it. Because this trick is strenuous, keep practice sessions short. At the outset, a 3-second stand should be soundly praised and rewarded.
Ride a Skateboard
Level of Difficulty: High
Put a board in the grass where it won't roll. Have the dog stand with his right legs on the board. Attach the command "Mount up!" to this position. Next add "Get on!"—meaning all four paws on the board. (This stage alone may take several weeks.) Now find a flat surface and have the dog mount up. Hold the treat just out of the dog's reach and say, "Roll." Reward any effort the dog makes to reach the treat by moving the board. If he climbs off the board, have him start over. Once he's rolling consistently, it's time to put the show on the road—literally. In quick succession, have him mount up and roll until the board starts moving. Then have him get on. If your dog is scared, calm him down before trying again. You can also help him get used to rolling by towing him around slowly while giving him treats.
No comments:
Post a Comment