Dog Training Tricks

Training tricks for dog

Many dog owners teach their dogs tricks. This serves several purposes: Develops a stronger relationship between the dog and human; provides entertainment; and engages the dog's mind, which can help to alleviate problems caused by boredom. Dogs can, however, also apply these learned behaviors in unwanted ways, and owners must train to avoid inappropriate manifestation of tricks.

For example, the shake hands trick involves the dog raising its paw and placing it into an outstretched hand. However, a dog who has been rewarded often for doing so might generalize and decide to place its paw on any person at any time, creating a pawing problem, which can be annoying even in a small dog (especially with muddy feet) and somewhat painful with even a medium-sized dog. Because placing a paw on another dog is a dominance gesture, the dog can easily convert this behavior into a dominant demand for attention or treats.

An example of a useful trick is teaching a dog to ring a bell to go outside. This helps prevent the stress placed on an owner when trying to recognize whether the dog needs to relieve itself.