Quote of the week: ‘What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we deeply becomes a part of us.’ – Helen Keller.
Once again, a warm welcome to readers.
This week we are going to concentrate on teaching your dog some easy but cool tricks.
How nice is it when your dog sits up in front of you?
ALSO READ: You and Your Dog: ‘High five and shaking hands’
Although this is a relatively easy trick to teach, some dogs do have a problem trying to balance when they sit up on their bottoms.
But I have the solution, so keep on reading and I will tell you how to teach your dog to balance while sitting pretty.
The ‘sit pretty’ should not be taught to big heavy dogs, it is mainly for small and medium sized dogs.
Bigger dogs, especially those prone to hip dysplasia, should never be taught this particular trick. You could cause serious injury to your dog.
TEACHING THE ‘SIT PRETTY’
STEP 1
Ask your dog to sit and stay, take a step forward – turn and face your dog.
STEP 2
Bend forward towards your dog and ask your dog to ‘sit pretty’.
You will have a treat in your hand which you will let him smell.
Move your hand up, slightly above your dog’s nose so that your dog is having to stretch up to reach your hand.
You will treat him for this response, reward him for each positive reaction.
STEP 3
Once he realises what you want him to do, repeat step 1 and 2 – but now you will lift your hand slightly higher, as he stretches up towards it he will begin to lift his front paws off the ground, make sure his bottom is firmly on the ground.
When he stretches up, if he stands up on his hind legs, lower your hand a little until he is once again sitting with his bottom on the floor. Lift your hand again and as he reaches up towards it – bottom on the ground – front paws up – treat him, he is almost there!
STEP 4
Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3.
Now you will only reward your dog when he completes the ‘sit pretty’.
You are now standing in front of him, hold both your hands out in the same manner as you held your one hand out, now give the command ‘sit pretty’ if you have carefully taught him from step one, he should sit up immediately, now you treat and praise him.
Ironing out any problems, and giving your dog some extra help.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this exercise some dogs might experience difficulty with balancing – no problem, here is a solution:
Go to a corner of a room, sit your dog – with his back end in the corner – making sure he has enough space to sit up without touching the wall until he sits up.
Now he has a way of supporting himself.
Then do the exercises in the same way from step 1 to 4.
For dogs who do not quite ‘get it’, do up to step 2 and then gently lift the dog’s front paws off the ground, treating him at the same time.
In no time he will be performing like a professional.
TEACHING THE ‘ROLL OVER’
This is another fun trick you can teach your dog.
You will teach him to roll over in one direction first.
Once he is doing it well in one direction, you can then teach him to roll the other way.
STEP 1
Ask your dog to down and stand in front of him, then you squat down facing him.
STEP 2
Hold a treat in your right hand – right in front of your dog’s nose and very gently lure him over onto his side.
STEP 3
Once he is on his side reward him instantly, do not tell him to roll over at this stage.
STEP 4
Once again you will ask you dog to down – squat in front of him and again gently lure him over onto his side, this time keep luring him around so that he actually does roll over. You can also help him over a little – but only do this if he is comfortable with it.
STEP 5
Once your dog does a complete ‘roll over’ – reward him immediately. Now you can tell him to ‘roll over’.
Some dogs find this trick easy to do, as they are more flexible than other others.
However, some dogs may only be able to roll one way, or are much slower to roll.
This may require a great deal of patience.
It is important to know your dog’s limitations.
Always make sure your dog is in good physical health before trying tricks such as this.
Be aware that older dogs may have arthritic hips or backs, so be gentle.
If you are in any doubt a visit to your veterinarian should be scheduled.
Happy training.
Yvonne Eland
ACDIPCBM (UK)
Specialist in Canine Behaviour and Management.
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