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Get Your Dog’s Prey Drive Under Control

By Alina Jumabhoy

Get Your Dog’s Prey Drive Under Control

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Prey drive varies hugely in individual dogs. While some dogs naturally have a low prey drive, others simply cannot resist chasing every moving thing around them.

It goes without saying that this can be extremely difficult to deal with...

Fortunately, you don't need to worry too much. By putting some time and effort into training your pooch, you will soon be able to get that prey drive under control.

KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH

It may be tempting to un-clip that leash so that your dog can have a good run, but this is something that you need to avoid doing until you have managed to gain some control over your dog's prey drive.

Keeping your dog on a leash gives you much more control to begin with. You should also make sure that your dog does not have any access at all to prey animals.

Each time your dog chases an animal, this reinforces the behavior. This means that your dog will be even more likely to do the same thing again in the future.

By putting a stop to this right away, you will notice results from your training much faster.

REDIRECTION

Redirecting your dog's attention is one of the most important strategies to learn when trying to control prey drive.

What exactly is redirection?

It means being able to shift your dog's attention away from the prey and onto yourself. It is much easier to do this before your dog fixates on the prey, or very soon after. If you wait too long, it will be difficult to break your dog's focus.

So, how do you redirect?

Each time you notice a prey animal in the distance, simply go in the other direction. Keep things positive, rewarding your dog for following you.

What happens if you have no choice but to go in the same direction as the prey animal?

Make sure you have a squeaky toy or a high value treat to hand. Use this to distract your dog, making sure that you only pass by the animal once your dog is fully focused on you. Once you have made it past, you can then reward your dog with the treat or toy.

Ideally, you should work on redirecting from a distance. Once your dog understands that it is more rewarding to stay focused on you rather than the prey animal, you can then shorten this distance and practice this at a closer range.

A clicker can help your dog to pick this up even faster. Simply click and treat each time your dog focuses on you rather than on the distractions around him.

BE AWARE OF YOUR DOG'S BODY LANGUAGE

As mentioned above, you will have much more success at controlling that prey drive if you catch it in its early stages.

There are five main stages to prey drive:

  • Searching for the animal

  • Stalking the animal with the eyes

  • Chasing the animal

  • Grabbing the animal

  • Biting to kill the animal

Ideally, you want to get yourself involved at the very first stage, before your dog manages to latch his eyes onto the prey. This means that you will need to continuously be looking around you, so that you can spot any prey animals before your dog does.

You will notice your dog's eyes scanning the environment when the two of you are out. Keep interrupting this, encouraging your dog to focus on you instead. Make sure that you reward him heavily each time he does.

If your dog's ears have pricked up, and his eyes are focused on something in the distance, then this means he has moved on to the eye stalking stage. You will need to tighten your hold on your dog's leash and work even harder on redirection.

WORK ON IMPULSE CONTROL

Prey drive is an impulsive behavior.

Fortunately, impulse control is something that dogs pick up on quite quickly.

There are certain commands out there that are really useful for this, such as:

  • Leave it

  • Look at me

  • Place

  • Come

  • Drop it

These are vital commands to teach to a dog with high prey drive.

You will need to begin by working on these commands in a calm and controlled environment. Slowly introduce distractions, such as balls and frisbees. Dogs with a high prey drive will want to chase these just as much as they will want to chase a prey animal.

Once your dog has mastered the above commands, you can then move on to practicing them around a wider range of distractions.

One thing to keep in mind...

Make sure that you remain calm throughout your dog's prey drive training.

If you end up shouting a command or getting too excited, your dog will quickly pick up on this energy. It will likely lead to over-excitement and hyperactivity in your dog, which will only slow down his progress.

KEEP YOUR DOG MENTALLY STIMULATED

Many people think that if they exercise their dog enough, then prey drive will be reduced.

However, physical activity alone is not enough to help with this...

Instead, you need a good mix of both physical and mental stimulation.

When it comes to mental stimulation, nose work is always beneficial. Even hiding treats around your house or garden, or providing a sandbox for your pooch to dig in, can help to tire that brain out. There are plenty of other mental games out there too, especially if you get creative. 

You should also be opting for plenty of variety when it comes to the physical, in addition to walks. Try taking your dog swimming or hiking uphill, as these are great forms of exercise. Keeping the physical activities varied will mean that your dog gains mental benefits from them too.

If you do not do anything about your dog's prey drive, it will not be long before this gets out of control. Make sure that you start managing these behaviors as soon as you notice them, because this will give you a much happier and more well-balanced dog in the long run.

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How to Create a Sensory Garden for Dogs

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Create a Sensory Garden for Dogs

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Lucian Aeris @ Pixabay

A sensory garden for dogs is a safe, outdoor space that encourages a dog to use all of his senses. Not only can a sensory garden provide so much mental stimulation for your pooch, but it is also confidence-building, stress-busting and highly enriching.

Here is everything you need to know to get started...

A Selection of Dog-Friendly Plants

The best sensory gardens are home to a wide range of different plants.

Now, keep in mind, not only should these plants be safe for your dog to nibble on, but, ideally, they should also provide your dog with some health benefits too.

Many dogs are great at self-medicating, meaning that whenever they are feeling unwell, they will head out into their sensory garden and munch on whichever botanicals they need to help them feel better. You have probably noticed your dog snacking on grass when he has an upset stomach – well, this is pretty similar, except that you're giving your dog so much more choice!

Here are some of the best plants to include in a sensory garden for dogs;

  • Catnip – this is great for dogs as well as cats, offering relaxation benefits

  • Lavender – a good plant for calming anxiety and nerves

  • Marshmallow – your dog will seek this out if he ever has an upset stomach

  • Valerian – another herb that is fantastic for anxious dogs. This one is often sold as a supplement

  • Yarrow – helps with inflammation and urinary issues

  • Marigold – can soothe emotional distress

Keep your dog's own individual issues in mind when choosing plants for your garden. Try to go for plants that would be as beneficial to your pooch as possible. It would also be a good idea to read up on plants that are toxic to dogs, so that you can ensure that none of these make it into your garden.

Add in Some Texture

Adding in plenty of texture to a sensory garden for dogs is important, and even more so if a puppy is going to be using your garden.

How do you add in different textures?

The easiest way is by getting creative with different floor surfaces, meaning that each part of your garden would feature different flooring.

A few of the materials that you could experiment with are:

  • Astro-turf

  • Long grass

  • Cushions

  • Tree bark/ wood chip

  • Gravel

  • Sand

  • Water

A covered area would also be a good idea, especially if your pooch doesn't like to get wet on rainy days.

Make it Fun

Your dog needs to enjoy spending time in his sensory garden in order to really get the most out of it.

How do you make a sensory garden for dogs fun?

One idea would be to include a small paddling pool, so that your dog can splash around on hot days. You can even throw in a few waterproof toys to make it even more enjoyable for your pup.

Pug in paddling pool in sensory garden for dogs
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of SNGPhotography @ Pixabay

 

A digging pit will also be appreciated by dogs who love to dig.

How do you set up a digging pit?

The best way is by using a child's paddling pool, preferably one with rigid sides. Fill this with sand, and then hide a few treats in the sand to get your dog going. If it rains, or if you have cats roaming around looking for a new toilet, you can easily shut the paddling pool to keep the sand dry and clean.

You could also just use a raised flower bed and fill this with soil, although you may need to spend some time teaching your dog to distinguish between his digging flower bed and your own flower beds.

There are plenty of other ways in which you can make a sensory garden for dogs fun, but this does depend on your individual dog and their personality.

Some dogs will love steps and ramps to climb, while others would be happy playing in a cardboard box. If your dog enjoys agility, try setting up a home-made agility course in your garden. You can make use of natural materials for this so that it fits in with the look of your garden. For example, use tree branches instead of plastic jumps.

Use treats to encourage your dog to play and explore the garden when you are first getting started. If your dog is extremely food-motivated, you may want to consider purchasing an interactive treat toy to include in your sensory garden.

Calming Sounds

The plants in your garden will stimulate your dog's sight, taste and smell, while the textures will stimulate his sense of touch.

However, with dogs, hearing is an extremely important sense, making this one that you shouldn't neglect when creating a sensory garden for dogs.

How do you add different sounds into your sensory garden?

There are a few different ways you can do this, and the key thing to remember is that you want to keep the sounds as natural-sounding as possible.

Why?

Because this will have such a calming and soothing effect on your dog.

Wind chimes are a great place to start. Go for wooden ones, since these tend to be the most relaxing, and place them at strategic places around your garden.

A water feature that provides the sound of trickling water can also be so relaxing, not only for your dog but also for you! You can either put one together yourself, or purchase a solar powered fountain for your garden.

If you want something bigger, consider a pond. Many dogs love watching fish swimming around a pond, but you would need to install some sort of safety barrier to prevent your dog from jumping in and drowning.

A sensory garden for dogs is so easy to create, and really does not need to cost much. As long as you have a small outdoor space where you can set this up, you can get creative with the different plants and items you include in your garden, choosing ones that work well for both you and your pooch.

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Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

By Alina Jumabhoy

Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Wokandapix @ Pixabay

You have probably heard the saying “you can't teach an old dog new tricks”...

Ever wondered how true this is?

Well, it couldn't be more false!

While you may need to take things a little slower, and also exercise more patience, when it comes to teaching an older dog some new tricks, it can definitely be done. Not only that, but all of that trick training is a great way to keep an older dog mentally stimulated.

A Few Things to Know Before Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

Trick training is beneficial no matter the age of a dog, but older dogs do face more limitations than a younger pup.

What type of limitations?

The usual things that come with age, such as:

  • Physical Limitations – older dogs tend to be slower and stiffer, so certain repetitive movements could be uncomfortable. They may also have a limited range of motion, and could be losing some of their sight or hearing

  • Mental Limitations – cognitive function declines with age. This means that it will likely take longer to teach an old dog new tricks when compared to a pup. However, taking things slow and steady can really help. 

So long as you keep your senior dog's limitations in mind, you will be able to pick tricks that your pooch will quickly learn.

Verbal and Visual Commands

It is common for a dog's eyesight and hearing to start to decline with age. This can make training a little trickier.

This is why it is important to incorporate both verbal and visual commands when teaching an old dog new tricks.

That way, if eyesight starts to fade, your dog will still be able to respond to verbal cues. On the other hand, if your dog's hearing starts to go, hand signals are useful for telling your dog what you want him to do.

When teaching your old dog new tricks, make sure that you establish both visual and verbal cues for each one. This will enable you to continue using that command as your dog progresses through life.

Going Over the Basics

A woman using hand signals to teach an old dog new tricks
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Ok, so the basic commands might not be anything new and exciting, but this is still a good way to get started when teaching your dog hand signals.

One of the problems that many people face when their dogs age is with recall...

Due to a loss of hearing, many dogs simply cannot hear their owners shouting for them to return.

This is where hand signals come in...

The easiest hand signal to use for recall is using your arms and hands to form a big wide circle around your head. Bring your hands slowly round to meet each other by your legs.

Each time your dog is heading towards you, make this motion. Combine it with your verbal cue, whether this may be “come here” or anything else.

It won't take long for your dog to realize what your hand signal means. Of course, you do need to be consistent with this. 

Once you have mastered the recall hand signal, do the same with the other important basic commands, such as:

  • Sit

  • Stay

  • Lie down

  • Heel

Walk Backwards

If your dog doesn't seem to have much awareness over their hind legs, teaching them to walk backwards can be especially useful. This will teach your pooch new ways in which they can use their body, helping to increase their awareness of their back legs.

Senior dogs often have a hard time with balance, and this trick can really help with that.

Teaching a Dog to Walk Backwards

It is actually pretty simple to teach a dog to walk backwards.

Begin by having your dog sit and stay in front of you, while you take a few steps back. Then, walk towards your dog, leaning your body slightly forward.

This will usually be enough to cause a dog to back up on his own. As soon as he does this, say your cue word, along with your hand signal. Then, give your dog a treat.

It can sometimes be easier to practice this in a narrow hallway, so that your dog has no option but to walk backwards as you approach.

Once your dog grasps the connection between the command and the action, he will know to walk backwards whenever you say the cue word.

Advanced Tricks to Teach an Older Dog

Does your dog already have a solid understanding of the basics?

If so, you may want to try something a little more advanced...

Here are a few beneficial tricks to try:

  • Find it – this requires you to hide an object for your dog to find. Since this requires the use of the nose, it is great for dogs who are experiencing a decline in their sight and hearing. It is also a good way to keep your senior dog active around the house

  • Ring a bell – senior dogs can sometimes have problems with bladder control. Teaching them to ring a bell whenever they need out can be a great way to prevent accidents in the house. This trick does take a bit of time, and you will need your dog to master the “touch” command first

  • Tidy up – teaching your dog to tidy up his toys is another great way to keep your dog moving in the house. It also prevents putting too much strain on his joints and muscles

  • Kiss – this may not have much of a practical use, but a dog that gives you a kiss on command is a dog that will always keep you smiling

Just like when training a puppy, make sure that you keep things positive when teaching an old dog new tricks. Plenty of high value training treats and praise are a must, and keep your training sessions short but consistent to prevent your pooch from losing focus on the task at hand. Once you have mastered a trick, don't forget to then practice this in different locations with new distractions, as this will help to cement the trick in your dog's brain.

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8 Creative Kong Recipes to Try

By Alina Jumabhoy

8 Creative Kong Recipes to Try

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Kapa65 @ Pixabay

Kongs are a great way to mentally stimulate your dog, but they can quickly get bored of the same fillings. If you want to really give your dog a mental challenge, here are eight creative Kong recipes to try.

  1. THE JERKY POP

This Kong recipe is so much fun to watch your dog eat. However, it can sometimes get a little messy, so you may want to save this one for outdoors.

Ice pops are great in the summer, and jerky ice pops are a doggy dream come true.

To begin with, you need to seal the end of the Kong. A small amount of peanut butter is usually enough to do the trick. Place the Kong into a paper cup.

Then, fill the Kong with some broth. Make sure that it is one that doesn't contain any added salt.

Place a couple of sticks of dog-friendly jerky inside the Kong, before placing the cup into the freezer for a few hours.

Don't have any jerky?
You can make this yourself easily by drying thin slices of meat in your oven.

Meat jerky
Photo by Show 131/ CC

  1. FRUIT AND VEG CHUNKS

Stuffing a Kong with fruit and vegetable chunks is a great option if you have multiple dogs.

Why?

Well, you have likely noticed that some of your dogs know how to empty a Kong in a matter of minutes, while others tend to take their time.

By using chunks of fruit and veg, you can vary the chunk size for each dog's Kong. For the dogs that take longer to finish a Kong, use smaller chunks to make it slightly easier. For Kong-savvy dogs, go with larger chunks that they really have to work for.

Need fruit and veg ideas?

Here are a few fruits and vegetables that are safe and healthy for dogs to eat:

  • Blueberries

  • Apples, without the core, seeds or stem

  • Blackberries

  • Broccoli

  • Celery

  • Cucumber

  • Zucchini

  • Pineapple

  • Carrots

  • Cauliflower

  1. SARDINES IN SPRING WATER

Short on time?

This Kong filling is perfect for when you're in a hurry.

All you need to do is stock up on tinned sardines. However, make sure that they have been preserved in spring water, rather than oil or brine, especially if you plan on using this as a treat on a regular basis.

Then, simply open up a tin of sardines and use this to fill the Kong.

Freeze the Kong for a few hours to make it even more of a challenge for your dog.

  1. KIBBLE AND CREAM CHEESE

Looking for a way to make your dog's mealtime last even longer?

It doesn't take long for them to work out how to get their kibble out of a Kong, so give this trick a try...

Mix some of your dog's kibble with a small amount of cream cheese. Stuff this into a Kong and then freeze.

The cheese acts like a cement, holding everything together so firmly. This will make it much harder for your dog to empty the Kong.

  1. A FESTIVE FEAST

If you are looking for festive Kong recipes, look no further than your kitchen...

You are likely buying plenty of festive foods during the holiday season. Chances are, many of these would make a delicious and healthy Kong stuffing.

Need some ideas?

Turkey, whether cooked or raw, works well in a Kong. Raw or cooked chicken and beef are great options too.

You can pair this with some winter vegetables, from Brussel sprouts and carrots to peas and sweet potato. These can all be fed both raw or cooked, with the exception of the sweet potato which should always be cooked.

  1. A KONG OMELET

Got some extra eggs that need to be used?

A Kong omelet will always be appreciated by your pooch!

All you need is an egg and some vegetables that your dog likes. A small amount of cheese is optional.

Then, cook up the egg, scrambling it at first and then folding in the veg. Mix in the cheese before filling the Kong with the mixture. Alternatively, use a small chunk of cheese to seal in the large hole.

You can either wait for it to cool before giving it to your dog, or freeze it to feed later.

  1. OATMEAL, FRUIT AND HONEY

Want to give your dog a special breakfast treat?

This is one of the best Kong recipes for doing so.

A Kong stuffed with oatmeal, fruit and honey will definitely get that tail wagging.

Begin with the oatmeal, making sure that this is cooked. Use a spoonful of this to seal the small hole at the end of the Kong.

Then, add in a few small fruit chunks. Alternatively, if you use a juicer, you can use the fruit pulp leftover from this. Just make sure that this does not contain any fruits that are harmful to dogs.

Continue layering the oatmeal and the fruits. If you want to get even more creative, add in a few layers of yogurt too.

Once you reach the top, give the Kong a drizzle of honey. Your dog will go crazy for this, but use the honey in moderation since it is a sugar.

Either feed immediately or freeze and feed later.

  1. YOGURT AND BANANA

When it comes to Kong recipes, this is an easy one to throw together at the last minute. Of course, it does become even more challenging if you freeze it.

All you need to do is...

  • Slice a banana in half or thirds, depending on the size of Kong you are using

  • Stuff the banana straight into the Kong

  • Fill in the gaps around the banana with some plain yogurt

Make sure that you do not use a flavored yogurt. These often contain sweeteners that can be harmful to dogs.

In order to keep your dog interested in his Kong, and to make sure that it remains challenging for your pooch, you need to mix it up when it comes to the fillings you use. You can stuff a Kong with just about any food that is safe for a dog to eat, so get creative the next time you are looking into Kong recipes for your dog. 

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Mental Stimulation for Dogs – 5 Creative Ideas

By Alina Jumabhoy

Mental Stimulation for Dogs – 5 Creative Ideas

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Kat Jane @ Pexels

While physical exercise is definitely important, mental stimulation for dogs will enrich your pup's life in a different way, keeping their brains focused and challenged. A mentally stimulated dog is one that won't get bored and become destructive – something that many frustrated dog owners are struggling with.

Since every dog is individual, different brain games will have different effects on each dog. This makes it important to experiment with a variety to ensure that you find a few that really keep your dog's brain challenged. 

Need some inspiration?

Here are five creative ways to mentally stimulate your pooch:

A TREASURE HUNT

Dogs naturally love to hunt, so setting up a treasure hunt at home for your pooch is a great way to encourage your dog to use his nose as well as his brain.

Make it easy to start with, telling your dog to sit and stay while you hide one of your pooch's favorite treats somewhere around your home. It can help to have your dog see where you hide the treat the first few times, as this will teach him what the game is all about. 

Once the treat is hidden, give your dog a cue to go and find it.

It won't take long for your pup to figure this game out. Once he does, you can then make it more difficult. Try hiding the treat in places where your pooch has to really use his nose to find them. Underneath food dishes or at the bottom of a pile of laundry are places that work well. 

This is a great brain game for dogs to play outdoors too, although you may need to place the treats in a closer proximity, as there are so many other distracting scents outside!

Have a multi-dog household?

This is a form of mental stimulation for dogs that they can all play together – just hide multiple treats around your home and let them all hunt for them at the same time.

THE CUP GAME

The cup game is one that you have probably seen before. It requires at least three identical plastic cups, along with dog treats.

All you need to do is hide a treat underneath a cup, letting your dog watch you do this. Then, shuffle the cups around so that your dog doesn't know which cup the treat is hiding under.

Once you are done, allow your dog to sniff the cups and choose which one is hiding the treat.

This is an effective method for enhancing a dog's problem solving skills, while keeping the brain active and attentive.

Is your dog finding the treats too easily?

Add more cups into the game to amp up the challenge a bit. When it comes to mental stimulation for dogs, you will need to always tailor your methods to your dog's individual needs. 

THE MUFFIN TIN GAME

For this brain game, you will need:

  • A muffin tin
  • Enough dog balls or toys to fill each hole in the tin

Place a treat into a few of the holes.

Wondering what treats to use?

Try a biscuit, a dollop of peanut butter, or small pieces of dried meat. Then, cover all of the holes with the dog toys you have selected. Tennis balls work great. They tend to fit perfectly into each hole, requiring the dog to really concentrate when removing each ball.

Your dog will then need to figure out where the treats are hiding, and remove each toy in order to access the treats. 

THE NAME GAME

How many words does your dog know?

For many pets, this will only be a handful of words, usually the ones that are used most commonly, such as “sit”, “stay”, “food”, and other similar terms.

However, did you know that the average well-trained dog knows around 160 different words? In fact, there is one famous border collie who knows over 1000 words, including 800 of her toys.

Teaching your dog different words is a fantastic form of mental stimulation for dogs, and is such an easy way to keep their brains active.

Begin with your dog's toys, making sure that they are visually different enough for your dog to be able to distinguish between them.

Choose one toy to begin with, such as “brown bear”. Then, encourage your dog to play with you and that toy, repeating the name brown bear constantly as you play. The repetition is important, as this will help to drill the name of the toy into your dog's head.

Once you have repeated the name around 30 times, place the toy next to another one. Then, ask your dog to go and get the brown bear. Give your pooch plenty of praise and a treat if he gets it right immediately. 

What happens if your pup picks the wrong toy?

Don't say anything, and instead just place the toy back next to the brown bear and repeat your command. When he does reach for the right toy, showering your pooch with praise will cement the toy's name in his brain.

Once your dog knows the name of one toy, you can then move on to the next. Don't rush things - take it slowly to work on steadily building up your dog's vocabulary. This is such an effective form of mental stimulation for dogs, as it will really keep your dog thinking. 

TAKE YOUR DOG WITH YOU WHEN RUNNING ERRANDS

Many people tend to leave their dogs at home when off running errands, whether this may be heading to the post office, a friend's house, or even the car wash.

However, all of these are activities that will stimulate your dog's brain. 

Even if it is just a car ride, your dog's brain will be working so hard to process all that he sees around him. You will likely find that you have a pooped out pooch once you return home.

Don't have any errands to run?

Try taking your dog for a quick drive through some varied areas. Stopping off at a drive-through car wash will add even more excitement to your pup's day. 

Many underestimate the importance of mental stimulation for dogs, but this could really have a huge impact on your dog's behaviour. Each of the brain games mentioned above can be adapted and tailored to your dog's specific needs, so give them a try the next time you think your pooch may be getting bored. There are many other techniques out there when it comes to mental stimulation for dogs, so get creative!

Does your dog have any favorite brain games? We would love to hear about them, so please do share your ideas in the comments section below!

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5 Fun Dog Tricks to Teach Your Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

5 Fun Dog Tricks to Teach Your Dog

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Snap_it @ Pixabay

Teaching your dog some new dog tricks is not only a great way for the two of you to bond, but it also provides a great form of mental stimulation for your pooch.

If you and your dog have already got the basics covered, here are 5 fun dog tricks that you can move on to next.

GIVE ME A KISS

Is your dog particularly affectionate?

If so, this is a trick that you will both no doubt love, and it's actually quite easy to teach.

All you need to do is encourage your dog to lick your face. With each lick, immediately say the word “kiss” and shower your dog with plenty of praise. A treat at this stage may also be helpful for dogs that aren't naturally fond of licking.

Keep repeating that process, saying the word “kiss” each time your dog licks your face.

It won't be long before your pooch associates the two and gives you a kiss whenever you ask for one.

To test it out, simply say the word “kiss” and wait for your dog to come over and give you a lick. If your dog simply stares at you blankly, this means that you need to spend more time on cementing the cue word into your dog's brain.

SPEAK

Teaching your dog to bark on command requires a little patience on your part...

It all comes down to waiting for your dog to bark naturally on his own. Each time he does, you need to be ready with a treat. Make sure that you say your cue word, such as “speak” as soon as your dog has barked, and follow this up immediately with a treat.

Since you aren't able to trigger this behavior yourself at the start, it can take a while for a dog to associate the cue word with the barking.

However, consistency really does pay off with this trick, so be patient and allow your dog to learn this one in his own time.

BALANCING A TREAT ON THE NOSE

You have likely seen numerous photos and videos of dogs with all sorts of food items balanced on their nose.

Ever wondered how this trick is taught?

It's not actually that difficult, so long as your dog knows the “leave it” command.

Begin by asking your dog to sit in front of you, and then gently rub your hands over his nose to get him used to the sensation of an item being placed there.

Then, hold a dog treat near to your dog's nose and repeat the phrase “leave it”. Once your dog understands that he can't eat the treat right away, move your hand directly above your dog's nose and continue with the “leave it” command. Make sure that you consistently praise your dog so that he knows that he is on the right track.

The final step is to place the treat onto your dog's nose, repeating the “leave it” command. Wait a couple of seconds before giving your dog a cue to let him know that he can now eat the treat. Alternatively, remove the treat yourself before feeding it to your dog.

This trick can take some time to learn, especially if you have a food-obsessed dog. However, once your pooch masters it, this is one of those dog tricks that will really impress your friends and family.

SIT PRETTY

Also often known as “beg”, this is one of the easiest dog tricks to teach your pooch.

Ask your dog to sit, and then kneel down so the two of you are at the same level. Hold a treat out for your dog to sniff, and then slowly lift this above your dog's head.

Your dog should naturally lift their front paws off the ground in order to reach the treat. As soon as those paws come up, say your cue word, such as “sit pretty”, and give your dog the treat.

Repeat this process about five more times and then end the training session. It is important not to overdo this trick, as it can strain your dog's muscles. However, performing this trick in moderation is a great way to strengthen your dog's core.

Is your dog not strong enough to support his body weight when sitting pretty?

Your pooch may need a helping hand at first, at least until his muscles have strengthened. You can do this in two ways:

  • Stand behind your dog when practicing this trick, so that your dog can use your legs as a back support when sitting up

  • Use your hands to support your dog's paws once he has lifted them himself

HUG

This is one of the cutest dog tricks out there. After all, who wouldn't want their beloved pooch to give them a hug?

If your dog naturally loves to wrap his paws around your neck, then teaching this trick is extremely easy. All you will need to do is repeat the word “hug” and follow this up with a treat each time your pup naturally performs this behavior.

For everyone else...

Ask your dog to sit on the floor in front of you. You can then either use the “sit pretty” command mentioned above to encourage your dog to lift his paws himself, or you can lift them for him, placing your dog's front paws onto your shoulders once they are in the air.

Once your dog is in this hugging position, say your cue word before giving your dog a treat. Then, say “okay”, or any other release word that you use, before removing your dog's paws from your shoulders.

Repeat the process a couple more times before ending the training session.

Does your dog get too excited when you try to teach this trick?

It may help to keep your pooch on a lead while practicing. This will enable you to prevent your dog from jumping all over you.

When it comes to teaching your dog a new trick, consistency and patience are key. Make sure that you always say your cue word at the right time, as soon as your dog has performed the desired action, as this will help to speed up the rate at which your dog learns the trick.

What are some of you and your pup's favorite dog tricks? Let us know in the comments section below!

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