Tricked Into It!
Do you think training tricks is silly or just something that you do when you have some free time? Think again! Tricks are skills that can be used to increase focus, control energy and replace unwanted behaviors.
Tricks can be “easier” for your dog to learn because we teach them with a lighter approach; they’re more fun to teach than “real skills” and we’re not as invested in the outcome—we need the dog to walk politely but may not think we need the dog to spin when asked. And we are often surprised that our dog can actually do certain tricks, so we tend to reward them more—with both treats and praise. As a result, the dog is more likely to not only do a trick when asked but offer a trick when in doubt.
So, how can tricks help with behavior? Let’s look at one common problem—greeting and settling around new people:
Do you have a dog who happily launches at people you meet when walking? Try replacing it with a spin (your dog will prefer to go in one direction over the other) or shaking hands/paws. Both are done with all feet on the ground.
Does your dog mug guests entering your home? Try an advanced trick of your dog fetching a tissue when you sneeze. You can then sneeze at the door while welcoming guests so they can all watch while your dog happily runs in the opposite direction to get that tissue.
Once your guests are inside, does your dog beg or just pester your guests. Teach him the names of several toys and ask him to bring them one at a time, while your guests get settled.
Some tips:
Choose tricks that both you and your dog will enjoy. Don’t ask a dog who doesn’t like toys to bring them to you.
Start training your tricks with family members, then known friends and family and, finally, less familiar guests. Make sure you ALWAYS reward a well-done trick for new people and be sure to practice periodically in between meeting new people.
Be creative! Resources for training tricks are everywhere from books to the AKC Trick Dog program.
Need help? Reach out to a Certified Professional Dog Trainer for advice on how you can use tricks in your life. You can find a directory at ccpdt.org.