Teaching your pet new tricks is about more than just showing off. It’s a fantastic way to strengthen your bond, provide mental stimulation, and build a foundation for better communication. Plus, it’s a ton of fun for both of you! With the right approach and a little patience, you can teach your pet a handful of impressive new skills in just one weekend.
This article is your guide to five easy-to-learn tricks that are perfect for a weekend project. We’ll break down each trick into simple, step-by-step instructions and offer pro tips to ensure your training sessions are effective and enjoyable. Remember, consistency and positive reinforcement are your best friends in this process.
Before You Start: The Golden Rules of Training
- Keep it Short and Sweet: Pets have short attention spans. Keep your training sessions brief, about 5-10 minutes each, and repeat them a few times a day.
- Positive Reinforcement: Use high-value treats (small pieces of cheese, cooked chicken, etc.) to reward your pet as soon as they perform the desired behavior. Verbal praise and affection work wonders, too.
- Be Patient: Every pet learns at their own pace. If a trick isn’t clicking, don’t get frustrated. Take a break and try again later.
- End on a High Note: Always finish each session with a trick your pet knows well and a big reward. This keeps them excited for the next time you train.
1. The Spin
The “Spin” is a fun and simple trick that gets your pet moving. It teaches them to follow a visual cue and is a great way to warm up for more complex body movements.
How to Teach “Spin”:
- Lure the Movement: Hold a treat near your pet’s nose. Slowly move the treat in a circle, luring your pet to follow it.
- Add a Verbal Cue: As your pet completes a full circle, say the word “Spin!” and immediately reward them with the treat and praise.
- Practice: Repeat this process several times in short sessions. As your pet gets the hang of it, they’ll start to anticipate the verbal cue.
- Fade the Lure: Once your pet is spinning consistently, begin to use a hand gesture instead of the treat lure. Hold an empty hand and make the same circular motion. When they spin, immediately provide the treat from your other hand.
- Refine the Trick: With enough practice, your pet will spin on command with just the verbal cue or hand signal, without you having to use a treat as a lure.
Pro Tip: If your pet is struggling with the full circle, start by rewarding them for just a quarter or a half spin. Build up to the full rotation gradually.
Also check: 10 Superfoods That Can Boost Your Pet’s Energy and Lifespan
2. The Paw Shake
Teaching your pet to “Shake” is a classic and charming trick. It’s an easy way to get your pet to interact with you and is a great foundation for teaching more precise paw-related behaviors.
How to Teach “Shake”:
- Get into Position: Ask your pet to sit.
- The Lure: Hold a treat in a closed fist. Present your hand to your pet. They will likely sniff and try to get the treat.
- Reward the Right Behavior: Wait for them to try to paw at your hand to get the treat. The moment their paw touches your hand, open your hand and say “Shake!” or “Paw!” and give them the treat.
- Repeat and Refine: Practice this a few times until they start to lift their paw to your hand.
- Add the Verbal Cue: Once they are consistently lifting their paw, say the command “Shake!” as you present your hand.
- Hold the Paw: In the final step, as they lift their paw, gently take it in your hand for a moment before rewarding them. This teaches them to hold the position for a proper handshake.
Pro Tip: If your pet doesn’t paw at your hand, gently tap their paw with your finger until they lift it. Immediately reward them for the motion.
3. The “Touch” Command
This is one of the most useful tricks you can teach your pet. The “Touch” command teaches them to touch their nose to your hand. It’s a great tool for redirecting their attention and can be a stepping stone for more advanced tricks like “go to your place” or even closing a door.
How to Teach “Touch”:
- Present Your Hand: Hold your open palm near your pet’s nose.
- Verbal Cue and Reward: The moment your pet’s nose touches your hand, say “Touch!” and give them a treat.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Repeat this several times. Your pet will quickly learn to associate the word with the action.
- Add a Distance: Once your pet consistently touches your hand when it’s close, begin to hold your hand farther away or in a different location. Start with small distances, like a few inches away, and gradually increase the distance as they get better.
- Use it for Fun: Once your pet masters the “Touch” command, you can use it for a game. Have them “touch” your hand from different angles or locations, turning it into a fun scavenger hunt.
Pro Tip: If your pet isn’t getting it, put a tiny bit of peanut butter or a soft treat on your palm to get them to touch their nose to it.
4. “Crawl”
Teaching your pet to “Crawl” is an impressive trick that showcases their flexibility and your training skills. It’s a bit more advanced but is perfectly doable in a weekend.
How to Teach “Crawl”:
- Start with “Down”: Ask your pet to lie down. This is the starting position for the “Crawl.”
- Lure the Forward Motion: Hold a treat low to the ground and just out of your pet’s reach. Slowly move the treat forward, so they have to scoot or crawl to get it.
- Reward the First Movement: As soon as they move their body forward, say “Crawl!” and immediately give them the treat.
- Gradual Increase: In the beginning, reward them for the slightest forward motion. As they get better, only reward them for a full crawl of a few inches, then a foot, and so on.
- Fade the Lure: Once they are consistently crawling, use your hand to make the same low, forward motion without a treat. When they crawl, reward them with a treat from your other hand.
Pro Tip: Don’t let your pet stand up. If they get up, reset the position and start the lure from the “Down” position again. Keep the treat very low to the ground to discourage them from getting up.
5. “Find the Treat”
This trick is a fantastic mental exercise that engages your pet’s sense of smell. It’s a great way to provide enrichment and tire out a bored or rainy-day pet.
How to Teach “Find the Treat”:
- The Starting Point: Show your pet a high-value treat.
- Initial Hide: Let them watch as you hide the treat just a few feet away, in a place they can easily find, like under a cushion or a toy.
- Verbal Cue and Search: Say “Find it!” and encourage them to go look for it.
- Build the Challenge: Once they understand the game, start to increase the difficulty. Hide the treat in a different room or in a slightly more difficult spot, like behind a piece of furniture.
- The Ultimate Challenge: When your pet is a pro at finding the treat, you can hide several treats around a room or the house and let them go on a scent-based scavenger hunt.
Pro Tip: Start by using treats with a strong smell, like dried liver or cooked chicken. This makes it easier for them to use their nose and reinforces the “Find it” command.
A Weekend of Fun and Learning
By focusing on these five simple tricks, you can have an incredibly productive and fun weekend with your pet. Remember to keep a positive attitude, be patient, and celebrate every small success. These tricks are just the beginning. Once your pet learns how to learn, the possibilities are endless. Happy training!
