20 Easy Dog Tricks to Teach Your Dog

There’s no denying the joy and companionship that our canine friends bring into our lives. As pet parents, we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our bond with our four-legged family members, and one of the best ways to do that is through training.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 20 tricks to train your dog, along with step-by-step instructions and summaries for each trick. Not only will these activities provide mental and physical stimulation for your pup, but they will also help you build a deeper connection with your furry friend.

So let’s dive into this exciting world of dog tricks, and have a tail-wagging good time together!

Sit: A Firm Foundation

Teach your dog to sit on command, providing a foundation for more advanced tricks.

Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
Move your hand up, allowing your dog’s head to follow the treat, causing their bottom to lower.
Once they’re in a sitting position, say “Sit,” give them the treat, and share some affection.
Repeat this sequence several times daily until your dog has mastered it.

Stay: The Polite Pooch

Train your dog to stay put, which is essential for safety and proper manners.

Command your dog to sit.
Open the palm of your hand in front of you and say “Stay.”
Take a few steps back, then reward your dog with a treat and affection if they remain sitting.
Gradually increase the distance you step back.
Practice this trick several times a day.

Escape Artist: The Houdini

Teach your dog to return to your side on command, preventing potential escapes and promoting safety.

Choose a specific command, such as “Come” or “Back.”
With your dog on a leash, say the command and gently tug the leash toward you.
When your dog reaches you, reward them with treats and praise.
Gradually increase the distance and practice off-leash once your dog becomes reliable.

Fetch: A Classic Canine Caprice

Engage in a fun and stimulating game of fetch with your dog, promoting exercise and bonding.

Choose a toy that your dog likes.
Throw the toy while saying “Fetch.”
Encourage your dog to bring the toy back to you.
When they return, reward them with treats and praise.
Practice this game regularly, gradually increasing the distance you throw the toy.

The High-Five: Paw-some!

Teach your dog to give a high-five, impressing friends and strengthening your bond.

Have your dog sit in front of you.
Hold a treat in one hand and show it to your dog.
Say “High-five” and tap your dog’s paw with your free hand.
When your dog lifts their paw to touch your hand, give them the treat and praise.
Repeat the process until your dog consistently responds to the command.

Take a Bow: A Canine Curtain Call

Train your dog to take a bow, which is a cute trick and a great way to stretch their muscles.

Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose while they are standing.
Slowly move the treat down and towards their chest, encouraging them to lower their front end.
As your dog’s elbows touch the ground, say “Bow” and reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly to reinforce the behavior.

Dance, Dance, Dance: Twirling Tails

Teach your dog to dance, providing mental and physical engagement while showing off their moves.

Hold a treat above your dog’s head while they are standing.
Move the treat in a circle, encouraging your dog to spin around.
As your dog completes the spin, say “Dance” and give them the treat and praise.
Repeat the process, gradually removing the treat as a lure and relying on the command alone.

Roll Over: A Classic Canine Caper

Train your dog to roll over, challenging their coordination and providing mental stimulation.

Have your dog lie down.
Hold a treat near their nose and move it towards their shoulder, encouraging them to roll onto their side.
Once they’re on their side, move the treat around their head so they continue to roll onto their back and then to their other side.
As your dog completes the roll, say “Roll over” and reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly until your dog can perform it on command.

Play Dead: A Paws-itively Dramatic Performance

Teach your dog to play dead, resulting in a humorous and entertaining trick.

Command your dog to lie down.
Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it towards the ground while saying “Play dead.”
As your dog’s head follows the treat, encourage them to roll onto their side and remain still.
Once your dog is motionless, reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, gradually increasing the duration your dog remains still.

Shake Hands: A Formal Furry Greeting

Train your dog to shake hands, impressing guests and demonstrating proper manners.

Have your dog sit in front of you.
Hold a treat in one hand and show it to your dog.
Say “Shake” and gently lift your dog’s paw with your free hand.
As your dog lifts their paw, reward them with the treat and praise.
Repeat the process until your dog consistently responds to the command.

Spin: A Whirlwind of Fun

Teach your dog to spin in a circle, providing mental stimulation and showcasing their agility.

Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
Move the treat in a circular motion, encouraging your dog to spin around.
As your dog completes the spin, say “Spin” and reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise spins.

Speak: Canine Communication

Train your dog to bark on command, teaching them to communicate and express themselves.

Wait for your dog to bark naturally, such as when someone is at the door.
As your dog barks, say “Speak” and reward them with a treat and praise.
Repeat this process each time your dog barks, eventually using the command without a natural trigger.
Practice this trick regularly, but be cautious not to encourage excessive barking.

Quiet: The Art of Silence

Teach your dog to stop barking on command, promoting a peaceful environment.

When your dog is barking, say “Quiet” and hold a treat in front of their nose.
When your dog stops barking to sniff the treat, reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, eventually using the command without the treat as a lure.

Crawl: The Stealthy Canine

Train your dog to crawl, providing a fun and challenging activity.

Command your dog to lie down.
Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it away from them, parallel to the ground.
As your dog follows the treat, say “Crawl” and reward them with the treat and praise once they’ve moved a short distance.
Gradually increase the distance your dog crawls, reinforcing the behavior.

Jump: A Leap of Faith

Teach your dog to jump, promoting exercise and showcasing their athleticism.

Hold a treat above your dog’s head, just out of reach.
As your dog attempts to reach the treat, say “Jump” and raise the treat slightly.
When your dog jumps to reach the treat, reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, gradually increasing the height of the jump.

Back Up: The Reverse Rover

Train your dog to back up on command, promoting spatial awareness and maneuverability.

Stand in front of your dog while they are in a standing position.
Hold a treat in your hand and move it towards your dog’s nose.
As your dog backs up to maintain a comfortable distance, say “Back up” and reward them with the treat and praise.
Gradually increase the distance your dog backs up, reinforcing the behavior.

Leg Weave: A Nimble Canine Dance

Teach your dog to weave between your legs, demonstrating agility and control.

Stand with your legs slightly apart and hold a treat in one hand.
Lure your dog to walk between your legs, guiding them with the treat.
As your dog weaves through your legs, say “Weave” and reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, gradually increasing the speed and complexity of the weave.

Kiss: A Canine Smooch

Train your dog to give a gentle “kiss” on command, showcasing affection and creating a loving bond.

Hold a treat near your cheek and say “Kiss.”
When your dog gently touches their nose to your cheek, reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, reinforcing the gentle nature of the “kiss.”

Find It: A Nose for Fun

Teach your dog to find hidden treats or toys, promoting mental stimulation and problem-solving.

Show your dog a treat or their favorite toy.
Hide the item in a simple location while your dog is watching.
Say “Find it” and encourage your dog to search for the hidden item.
When your dog finds the item, reward them with praise and additional treats.
Gradually increase the difficulty of the hiding spots, challenging your dog’s problem-solving skills.

Balance: A Canine Tightrope Walk

Train your dog to balance objects on their nose or head, showcasing concentration and control.

Have your dog sit in a calm and quiet environment.
Place a small, lightweight object, such as a treat, on your dog’s nose or head.
Say “Balance” and hold your hand close to the object to prevent it from falling.
When your dog holds the object in place for a few seconds, reward them with the treat and praise.
Practice this trick regularly, gradually increasing the duration and complexity of the balance.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned 20 fun and engaging tricks to train your dog, it’s time to put these techniques into practice. Training sessions are an excellent opportunity to bond with your furry friend, while also teaching them valuable skills and providing mental stimulation.

Remember to be patient and consistent in your training, and always reward your dog with treats and praise for their hard work. With dedication and persistence, you’ll soon have a well-trained, happy, and obedient canine companion that will amaze you and your friends with their newly acquired tricks.