Tricks for Beginners

Are you new to dog training, or have you just adopted your very first dog? We’ve got some great easy dog tricks for beginners like you! Why not give these a try?

Lure and Reward

The ‘lure and reward’ is more of a training technique than an easy dog trick. By holding a treat out just in front of your dog’s nose, you can ‘lure’ your dog into certain positions. It’s almost as if his nose is connected to the dog treat by an invisible hook!

Reward your dog with the treat when he reaches the desired position. The easy dog tricks below will use this ‘lure and reward’ technique.

The Dog Stand

The dog stand is probably the easiest dog trick here! Your ‘lure and reward’ will be the main key here. Just remember to take this trick gradually and be patient!

Step One: Simply raise the treat in front of your dog’s nose, then slowly off the ground. Your dog’s nose should follow the treat. The second your dog reaches a standing position, or the desired height, reward him or her!

Step Two: You can gradually increase the time duration your dog is ‘standing’ here. Remember, this isn’t a natural position, and it will take time for your dog to build both muscles required and balance!

The Dog Crawl

This is another super easy dog trick for beginners to try! If you’ve ever heard of the army crawl, this is the dog version!

Step One: Your pup will need to know the ‘down’ or ‘lie down’ command. Have them get into a down position!

Hold your treat very close to the floor, at your dog’s face level (next to his nose). Begin to lure him forward! In the beginning, only ask your dog to move a few inches before (ideally clicking to mark success) and rewarding.

Step Three: You can slowly, gradually over time, lengthen the distance you ask your dog to crawl forward! At this point, you can begin incorporating a verbal command or hand signal. Remember to repeat this command or signal every time!

Sit Pretty

Sit Pretty is another adorable yet easy dog trick for beginners, and it is pretty impressive! If your dog is going to beg, why not beg in style?

Step One: Using your lure technique, hold a treat out next to your dog’s nose. Remember, you’re luring with the nose, not the eyes, so stay close to the nose. Slowly bring the treat upward.

Step Two: You want to start out marking and rewarding as soon as your dog’s front paws leave the ground. Repeat this several times before increasing the difficulty and the distance your pup ‘stands’ before you mark and reward.

Step Three: Slowly, over time, increase the sitting height before rewarding until your pup is at a perfect ‘sit pretty’ height! Now you can begin incorporating both the ‘sit pretty’ command and a hand signal!

Did you know?

You can use the sound setting on your e-collar as a marker to mark good behavior, just like you would the ‘click’ of a clicker!