Beyond Sit, Stay, Fetch: Advanced Dog Training Tricks to Impress Everyone

Teach your dog unique skills to entertain and strengthen your bond.

Training your dog goes beyond the basic commands of sit, stay, and fetch. While these commands are important for obedience and safety, teaching your furry friend advanced tricks can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. Not only will it impress everyone who sees your dog’s skills, but it will also strengthen the bond between you and your four-legged companion.

1. Shake Hands

One of the most classic tricks, teaching your dog to shake hands is a great way to showcase their intelligence and social skills. To start, hold out your hand and say “Shake.” Gently lift your dog’s paw and provide positive reinforcement with praise or a treat. Repeat this process until your dog learns to offer their paw when you say the command.

2. Roll Over

Rolling over is a cute and impressive trick that can be taught with patience and consistency. Begin by having your dog lie down on their side. Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly move it in a circular motion towards their shoulder, encouraging them to roll onto their back. Once they complete the roll, reward them with praise and a treat. Gradually reduce the treat’s movement until your dog can roll over with a verbal command.

3. Play Dead

Playing dead is a trick that never fails to impress. Start by having your dog lie down on their side. Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly move it towards the ground, between their front legs. As they follow the treat with their nose, their body will naturally shift into a lying position. Once they are lying down, reward them with praise and a treat. With practice, your dog will learn to play dead on command.

4. Spin

Teaching your dog to spin is a fun and energetic trick that showcases their agility. Begin by holding a treat close to their nose and slowly moving it in a circular motion, guiding them in a full circle. As they complete the spin, reward them with praise and a treat. Repeat this process until your dog can spin on command. You can also add a verbal cue, such as “spin” or “twirl,” to associate the action with the command.

5. High Five

Similar to shaking hands, teaching your dog to give a high five adds a playful twist to a classic trick. Start by having your dog sit in front of you. Hold a treat in your closed hand and place it in front of their paw. When they paw at your hand, open your hand and say “high five.” Reward them with praise and a treat. Repeat this process until your dog learns to offer a high five when you give the command.

6. Speak

Teaching your dog to speak on command can be a useful and entertaining trick. Begin by finding a trigger that makes your dog bark, such as a doorbell sound or a knock on the door. As soon as your dog barks, say “speak” and reward them with praise and a treat. Repeat this process until your dog associates the command with barking. Once they understand the command, you can gradually phase out the trigger and rely solely on the verbal command.

7. Balance Treats

Impress your friends with your dog’s balancing skills by teaching them to balance treats on their noses or heads. Start by having your dog sit or lie down. Place a treat on their nose or head and give the command “balance.” Reward them with praise and a treat when they successfully balance the treat without dropping it. Gradually increase the duration of the balance and introduce new challenges, such as multiple treats or different surfaces.

8. Find It

Teaching your dog to find hidden objects is not only a fun trick but can also be a practical skill. Start by hiding a treat or toy in an easy-to-find location. Encourage your dog to search for it by saying “find it” and guiding them towards the hidden object. When they find it, reward them with praise and the treat or toy. Gradually increase the difficulty of the hiding spots to challenge your dog’s scent detection abilities.

Advanced dog training tricks require patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Break down each trick into small steps and celebrate your dog’s progress along the way. Training sessions should be short and enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. With time and practice, you’ll be amazed at the impressive tricks your dog can perform, impressing everyone they meet and strengthening your bond.