The brilliant and easy way to teach your dog new tricks

Evy Pitt Stoller
Updated

The relationship between a dog owner and their canine is truly a special one.

And just as there are things that your dog can teach us, there are also plenty of things that we can teach to our dogs.

Each pet-owner relationship is unique, but there are some tried-and-true methods that can quickly and effectively teach our canine friends to follow some very basic commands.

These exclusive techniques are the easiest ways I've ever seen to "teach an old dog new tricks." These methods are extremely effective and make doggy training as simple as possible.

Scroll through below to see how easily you can get your dog to shake hands, come, lie down, speak, and get in their crate. I might not be an expert, but I can definitely do these!

My dog knows how to sit, but now's my chance to teach him a whole bunch of new tricks. He loves me and teaches me so much — I can't wait to finally return the favor.

Which of these simple canine tricks will you be teaching your dog? Let us know in the comments.

Trick #1: How to Teach Your Dog to Shake


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Step One

  • Hold a treat in one hand, near the ground.

  • Tell your dog to "shake."

  • When your dog lifts their paw, give them the treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this many times.


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Step Two

  • Hold a treat in one hand, near the ground.

  • Tell your dog to "shake."

  • When your dog lifts their paw, raise your hand to a higher level.

  • If your dog follows your raising hand with their paw, give them the treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this until your dog will reach up to an acceptable shaking height.


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Step Three

  • Stand in front of your dog.

  • Hold a treat in one hand, behind your back.

  • Reach out to your dog with the opposite, empty hand.

  • Tell your dog to "shake."

  • When your dog lifts their paw to your hand, support the paw and make a shaking motion.

  • Give them the treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this until your dog will shake your hand each time you reach out and say "shake."


Trick #2: How to Teach Your Dog to Come


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Step One

  • Put your dog on a short leash.

  • Draw them in firmly but gently, while saying "come."


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Step Two

  • Put your dog on a longer leash.

  • Tell them to "come."

  • If they don't come, give them a firm, but gentle pull with the leash, drawing them in.


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Step Three

  • Face your dog without any leash.

  • Tell them to "come."

  • Repeat until they come when you call.

Trick #3: How to Teach Your Dog to Lie Down


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Step One

  • Hold a treat in one hand.

  • Place in front of your dog's face.


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Step Two

  • Lower the treat to the floor, drawing your dog's face with it.

  • Pull the treat slowly towards yourself, encouraging your dog to stretch out.


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Step Three

  • When your dog lies down, give them the treat as a reward.

  • Repeat many times with the treat.

  • Once mastered, repeat without the treat, encouraging your dog to lie down by simply drawing your hand towards the floor.

Trick #4: How to Teach Your Dog to Speak


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Step One

  • Pay attention to what makes your dog bark, like a hand clap or a doorbell ringing.

  • Tell your dog to "speak" and ring the doorbell.

  • When your dog barks, give them a treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this many times.


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Step Two

  • Staying near the doorbell, tell your dog to "speak" without ringing it.

  • When your dog barks, give them a treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this many times.


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Step Three

  • In a new location, tell your dog to "speak."

  • When your dog barks, give them a treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this many times, until mastered.

Trick #5: How to Teach Your Dog to Get in a Crate


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Step One

  • Place a treat in your dog crate.

  • Tell them to "go to your crate."

  • Give them another treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this many times.


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Step Two

  • Without tossing in a treat, tell them to "go to your crate."

  • Give them a treat as a reward.

  • Repeat this many times.


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Step Three

  • Tell them to "go to your crate" without a reward.

  • Repeat this many times, until mastered.

By following these simple steps, you'll be able to have your dog shaking hands, coming, lying down, speaking, and getting in their crate just at the sound of your voice.

Which of these easy tricks will you be teaching your pet? Let us know in the comments.

Please SHARE these easy-to-follow steps with other dog-lovers!

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