For puppies

ages 0-2 years

Teach your puppy to:
* Ring a Bell to Go Out
¢« Loose-Leash Walk
e Wipe His Paws
¢ Tidy Up Toys
¢ Fetch
7

GIVE YOUR PUPPY A HEAD START WITH

CELEBRITY TRAINING TEAM

Kyra Sundance and Jadie

~ 51 Puppy Tricks
“It's my turn now,
play with me,
I can do it!”
51 Puppy Tricks

Step-by-Step Activities
to Engage, Challenge, and
Bona with Your Puppy meee
Oe
S15)
S)
O wo
A4u

Kyra Sundance & Jadie

Photography by Nick Saglimboeni
© 2009 by Kyra Sundance

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the

copyrights hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or
by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, taping of information on storage
and retrieval systems—without the written permission of the
publisher.

Due to differing conditions, materials, and skill levels, the

publisher and various manufacturers disclaim any liability for
unsatisfactory results or injury due to improper use of tools,
materials, or information in this publication.

First published in the United States of America by

Quarry Books, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101
Telephone: (978) 282-9590
Fax: (978) 283-2742
www.quarrybooks.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available

ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-571-2
ISBN-10: 1-59253-571-2

109876

Design: Sundance MediaCom (www.sundancemediacom.com)

Photography: Nick Saglimbeni (www.slickforce.com)
“Do More With Your Dog!” is a registered trademark of
Kyra Sundance e

Printed in the U.S.A.

www. 1 01 dost : (
He is your friend, your
partner, your defender,
your dog. You are his life,
his love, his leader. He will
be yours, faithful and true, —
to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be
worthy of such devotion.
—Anonymous
 —
= cS
m gonna take
a nap now.”
PAUMTIORISINOTEtececcecsestriesssvosteccesentsssetessstsaces 9
INTRODUGTION Mesicsstscssseseeseececcccssessessseccesoss 11

PRELIMINARY SKILLS .............ss222000008 18 4 COMMUNICATION ............. cporoceecoos 3

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BODY POSITIONS ........:cesscssesecesees ws 36
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ECCUCIROOOIC MT MeN etc ce ca creeonait ctcwensrecddass 72 APPENDIX: TRICKS BY SKILL LEVEL ................. 172
SIS) MC ee oe cantnreleas cannes eanindaina es scenic sent 76 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ......... aedossacceceona teats 173
tHISIUKEHS... cooponsakode nostic nese enaae ee ceeeeceaeerans 80 ABOUT THE AUTHOR cccsse.ccsccessesesessncoweccues 174
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ALSO BY KYRA SUNDANCE ............s0ecesseessenes 175
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER .............s00sse00 176
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 We hope this book inspires you
to not only teach tricks, but to
“Do More With Your Dog!®”

— Kyra Sundance & Jadie

Do More
With Your Dog!
 AUTHOR’S NOTE

When you bring a new puppy into your household, he becomes

part of your family. By making the effort to work with your puppy
on his first tricks, you're taking a strong step toward developing a
closer bond with your dog.

In this book you will use positive training methods to build a

joyful relationship with your puppy, where he is a willing partner
in the training process. Trick training builds relationships by
deepening communication pathways, trust, and mutual respect.
It offers a way to bond with your puppy as you strive toward
common goals and delight in your successes. The trust and
cooperative spirit developed through this process will last
a lifetime.

Measure your puppy’s success not only by the tricks he has

learned, but also by improved attention and focus. Not all
puppies will learn at the same rate, but remember, he’s your
puppy and his success need only be measured in your eyes.
While it’s motivating to have a goal of a finished trick, the best
thing that comes out of training your puppy is the bond that
develops through working together. Don’t be so focused on the
goal that you miss the joys of the journey!
npc
as

“t have so much
to do today, |
don’t know how I
can possibly get
it all done!”
MAKE TRAINING FUN FOR YOUR PUPPY
Teaching tricks to your puppy will increase his
intelligence as his brain is challenged to learn new
things. Early training will set the tone for how your puppy
feels about training in the future, so it is important to
keep training fun and rewarding for your puppy.

Don’t treat training like a chore or your puppy will

associate training, and you, with boredom. Be happy,
enthusiastic, and encouraging! Blur the line between
play and work by playing a few minutes after every
training session.

When your puppy does something right, use your high-

pitched “happy voice,” which is instinctively rewarding
for him. Your happy voice should rise in pitch at the end,
in a sing-songy tone: “good boy!”

Don’t Show Frustration

Your puppy needs time to learn, and requires many,
many consistent repetitions. When teaching him a new
trick, your puppy may squirm, paw, and obsess over the
treat in your hand. If you feel yourself getting angry or PUPPY BASICS
frustrated during a training session, the best thing you HOW OLD IS A “PUPPY” IN THIS BOOK?
can do is to walk away. Your puppy can sense when The tricks in this book are intended for puppies
you are upset, and you wouldn’t want him to associate eight weeks to two years old. There are no
training with your frustration. prerequisites for trick training. Young puppies
should start with the “easy” tricks.
Keep Sessions Short
Puppies have short attention spans. Don’t train past the HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TRAIN A PUPPY?
point where your puppy has lost interest. Several five- The more tricks your puppy learns, the quicker
minute sessions per day are ideal for most puppies. he'll pick up new ones. Each trick in this book
has a section on “what to expect” during the
Quit With Him Wanting More learning process. It generally takes a hundred
repetitions for a puppy to learn a trick. Different
Quit your training session while everyone is having a
puppies will learn in different ways, and at
good time, and before your puppy gets bored or tired.
different speeds, so don’t be frustrated if you
Quit with him wanting more so he looks forward to the aren’t seeing the results you want right away.
next session.

End on a High Note

Keep your puppy feeling good about training by always
ending on a successful note, even if you have to go
back to an easier step to achieve this. Ask your puppy
for a behavior he knows well; praise him excitedly for it;
and end the session then.

11
PUPPIES LEARN THROUGH POSITIVE Calming an Overly Excited Puppy
REINFORCEMENT Sometimes a puppy becomes so excited during training
Positive reinforcement training methods are the easiest that you need to get him to calm down and regain
and most effective way to teach a trick to your puppy. focus. Do this by silently putting your arms at your sides
Positive reinforcement is the rewarding of good behavior; and looking away for a few seconds. This will inform your
you get your puppy to do a trick, you give him a reward, puppy (without reprimanding or frustrating him) that he
and he learns to repeat the trick. is not on a path that will lead to a reward, and he needs
to give you his calm attention. A few seconds is usually
Positive reinforcement methods strengthen the
enough for him calm down a bit, at which time you can
relationship between you and your puppy as you work
resume your training. Repeat this process every time
collaboratively in an encouraging, stress-free and fear-
your puppy gets too hyper.
free environment. Your puppy participates in the learning
process with a positive attitude, and enjoys working with
you. The trust and cooperative spirit developed through
positive reinforcement training will last a lifetime.

Treats as Rewards
Although a reward for a puppy can be a toy, play, or
praise, we usually use food treat. Treats are a high-value
reward that can be dispensed quickly. Keep your puppy
extra motivated by using “people food” treats, such as
chicken, steak, cheese, goldfish crackers, noodles, or
meatballs. Use pea-sized, soft, tasty treats that your
puppy can swallow easily.

Try microwaving hot dog slices on a paper-towel-covered

plate for three minutes for a tasty treat!

Reward Success, Ignore the Rest

One of the key skills your puppy develops through
trick training is his ability to problem-solve through
experimentation. Encourage your puppy to try a lot of
behaviors, and let him know {with a treat) which ones
were correct. “’m a good girl...
most of the time.”
When a puppy offers a behavior that is not correct, it
is best to ignore his unsuccessful attempt rather than
punishing it. If you were to say “no” every time your
puppy offered an incorrect behavior. your puppy would
become reluctant to try anything at all. Most puppies
would rather do nothing than to be wrong.

Instill an enthusiasm for training in your puppy by

building his esteem and his motivation. By focusing on
the positive, you will help your puppy to be successful.

Introduction
PUPPY TRAINING TECHNIQUES In dog training, a clicker is commonly used to make the
We use different techniques to train a puppy than we reward marker sound. A clicker is a handheld gadget
use to train a dog. Puppies are softer than adult dogs, with a metal tongue that makes a click-click sound
and they are not as familiar with human speech and when pressed.
actions. If you have trained adult dogs before, you'll You can use a unique word (such as “good!” or “click!”)
want to adjust your technique for your puppy. to be your reward marker sound, however a clicker tends
to work better than a word for puppy training. Puppies
Lure, Don’t Manipulate
haven't yet had the experience of differentiating your
There are two obvious ways to get a puppy into a words, and therefore your unique word won’t be as
desired position: You can lure him by encouraging him distinct for him as the clicker sound. The clicker also has
to follow a treat, or you can assert physical pressure the advantages of being short, crisp, and consistent—it
to manipulate him into position. It istempting to sounds exactly the same every time. (Train your puppy
manipulate your puppy’s body physically because it is to respond to a clicker with the trick on page 20.)
faster and more precise; however, it can actually delay
the learning process. By manipulating your puppy, you
are encouraging him to relinquish initiative and be
led. He is not required to engage his brain and is not
learning the motor skills necessary to position his body
himself. When possible, it is always preferable to lure
your puppy to position his body himself.

Timing
During the learning process, your puppy may squirm
and try a variety of different things. You need to let him
immediately know if each thing he tried was a success “I like it because
it smells like
(treat) or nonsuccess (no treat). The key to helping him
you.”
understand the goal behavior is to give him the treat at
the exact moment that he performed correctly. Be ready
with a treat in your hand, and release it the instant.your
puppy performs correctly. Don’t reward five seconds
after he has done the behavior, as your puppy may not
understand what he did to earn the reward. The key to
teaching any trick is to reward success at the instant the
puppy performs correctly.

Marker Training and Clickers

It can sometimes be logistically difficult to reward your
puppy at the exact moment he performed correctly.
If your puppy is learning to jump through a hoop, for
example, you wouldn't be able to give him a treat at the
exact moment he intersects the hoop.

But you can use a specific word or sound at that exact

moment to let your puppy know the instant he earned
his reward. We call this special sound a reward marker.
A reward marker is always quickly followed by a treat.

14 51 Puppy Tricks
PROGRESSION AND REGRESSION HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
A puppy learns when he gets it right, and gets a treat. Start anywhere! Each trick displays a difficulty rating,
A puppy doesn’t learn anything from unsuccessful tips, troubleshooting answers, and a “what to expect”
attempts. So as a trainer, you need to help him get as section that gives an estimate on how long the trick will
many successful attempts as possible. Do this by setting take to teach. You can work on several new tricks within
the criteria for success very low. Reward small baby the same training session.
Steps in the learning process so that your puppy has lots
and lots of success. Should | Use the Verbal Cue or the Hand Signal?
Where applicable, both the verbal cue and
Upping the Ante .
corresponding hand signal for a trick are indicated in
When your puppy is first learning, give him a treat for this book. Over time your puppy will learn to respond to
just the smallest baby step toward a goal behavior. As either one. Most puppies actually respond more readily
your puppy progresses, you will start asking more of to the hand signal than to the verbal cue.
him to earn the treat. In this way we gradually refine a
rudimentary behavior into a more extreme version. We
The cues and hand signals shown in this book are
industry standards. Although the hand signals may
call this upping the ante.
look arbitrary, they have often evolved from the luring
When first teaching a puppy to shake a paw, you reward gestures used in the puppy's initial training. The raising
him for barely lifting his paw. Once he has the hang of of your hand as a signal to “sit” evolves from your initial
this, you up the ante and withhold the treat until he lifts upward baiting gesture. A downward hand motion is
his paw higher, or holds it longer. used to signal “down,” and parallels your initial baiting
of your puppy near the floor. And the flick of your wrist
The rule of thumb: every time your puppy achieves a
to the right is a diminished version of the large circle
step with about 75 percent success, it is time to up the
you drew when teaching your puppy to “spin.”
ante and demand a higher skill to earn the treat.
Let’s Start Training!
Regression is Part of Progression
You're on your way to a wonderful, exciting adventure
The key to keeping your puppy motivated is to keep him
with your new puppy. Grab your treat bag, your puppy's
challenged, and achieving regular successes. Try not to
favorite toy, your copy of 51 Puppy Tricks .. . and let’s
let your puppy be wrong more than two or three times get started!
in a row, or he could become discouraged and not wish
to perform. If your puppy is struggling, temporarily lower
the criteria for success. Regress back to an easier step
where he can be successful for a while.

The process of learning a behavior is not linear. Your

puppy will go through numerous spurts of learning and
regression. Don't be reluctant to go back a step—it’s
usually only needed fora short while, and will give your
puppy confidence to move forward. Never push ahead
in the training process if you reach a point where your
puppy is not confident. Instead, back up a few steps
to where your puppy showed the greatest degree of
confidence and build his skills from there.

Introduction 15
 “My owner says
I’m special
because | have
freckles.”

16 81 Puppy Trick
TRAINING GEAR
A few items of proper training gear will make your sessions go TOP 10
more smoothly. __ PUPPY TRAINING TIPS:

Food Treats
me Use tasty treats.

Use soft, tasty, pea-sized food treats that your puppy can Ds Give a treat the instant your
swallow quickly. puppy performs the correc
behavior.
Treat Bag
. If you can’t give a treat at that
Pet stores sell treat bags (also called bait bags) that clip onto instant, click your clicker and
your pants. These give you quick access to treats without having ~ follow up with a treat.
to dig in your pockets.
. Motivate—use your happy voice.
Short Tab Lead . Train in short five-minute
A tab lead is a short line with no loop at the end (so that your sessions.
puppy’s paw won’t get caught in it.) It hangs from your puppy’s
. Reward success and ignore
collar, but is short enough so that it does not get in the way of the rest.
his movement. A tab lead allows you to train your puppy off-
leash, while still having a way to hold him when you need to. . Be consistent.

. End the session with your

Clicker
puppy wanting more.
In this book you will use a clicker as a reward marker to teach
some of the tricks. The clicker sound lets your puppy know when . Be patient—it won't happen
he is correct. Inexpensive clickers can be purchased at most overnight.
pet stores. 10. Be a fun person to be around!

A Good Attitude!
The most important training tool of all is your praise and
encouragement!

17
Chapter 1:

Preliminary Skills

“My name is Jadie.

| learned it.”
Sta rt your puppy off right by teaching her the training
fundamentals. The tricks in this chapter teach your puppy to focus on
you and to perform basic behaviors. These tricks introduce your puppy
to the concept of positive reinforcement, and of responding to your
cues in order to earn rewards. These preliminary skills will establish a
pattern for your puppy’s ability to learn for the rest of her life.

In this chapter, your puppy will learn Hearing her name should elicit a
to respond to a clicker, to give you positive feeling for your puppy. She
attention by looking into your eyes, and should respond to it with enthusiasm,
to control her movements. never hesitancy or fear. Use your
puppy’s name in conjunction with
There will be times while you are oraise, and at times when she is calm,
teaching these preliminary skills that you confident, and attentive.
will need to get your puppy’s attention.
Teach your puppy her name, so that Don’t use your puppy’s name in
you can ask for her attention. Teach her conjunction with reprimands or when
by saying her name in a happy, high- she is in a stressful situation, scared,
pitched tone, which will encourage her or aggressive.
to look at you. When she does, give her
a treat, praise, or do something fun such
as toss a toy!

19
 easy

Respond
to a Clicker
CUE
[click-click]

A clicker device can become a

valuable tool in puppy training.
In order to take advantage of this
tool, you must first teach your
puppy to respond to its sound.
Do so by building the association
between the clicker sound and
the food reward. This is called
“! like treats!”
“charging up the clicker.”

20
 ‘TROUBLESHOOTING
I’M NOT SURE WHEN TO CLICK
At this stage, the goal is merely to
build the association between the
click-click sound and the food treat.
Dassen oF at random intenals,Sickyourclicker
There is no wrong time to click. The -
ee a important thing is to give the treat
licking, immediately give a treat to your puppy. Tryto give the | immediately after each click.
| two seconds of clicking, to help your puppy |develop the | Mee Pe
} between the two events. —

: It doesn’t take long before that click sound makes

spin toward you—which indicates she has formed the
a few minutes (and maybe twenty clicks), your puppy
ondi g tothe clicker, and oe be ready to start training

4 Attach a wrist strap to your clicker 2 Randomly click your clicker. ‘3 Immediately follow up with a treat.
for easy access.

Preliminary Skills 21
 easy

Touch My.Hafid
VERBAL CUE
Touch

Teach your HAND SIGNAL

puppy to touch é
your hand with *
his nose. This
Skill will come in
handy in getting
your puppy to
come to you.
we
ae
TEACH
TT:

‘4 Hold your clicker in one hand. In your other hand, hold a treat
between your fingers, and hold your hand flat, with your palm toward TROUBLESHOOTING
your puppy. Get your puppy’s attention as you do this by saying MY PUPPY IS MORE INTERESTED IN
“cookie” or whichever word he understands to mean a treat. MY POCKET WITH THE TREATS THAN IN
2 Encourage your puppy to investigate the treat by saying “touch!” in TOUCHING MY HAND
an encouraging voice. Go back to holding a treat between
your fingers to regain his focus on
‘3 The instant you feel his nose touch your hand, click your clicker to let your hand. If this doesn’t work, try
him know that was the behavior that earned him the treat. Allow him storing your treats in a bowl on a
to take the treat from your hand. Repeat this exercise a few times. nearby counter, where they are out of
his reach, but still easily accessible
‘4 Now try it without a treat held between your fingers. Hold out your
by you.
hand and say “touch!” The instant your puppy touches your hand,
click your clicker, and then give him a treat from your pocket.

WEAT TO EXPECT: Practice ten iterations per day and within a few
days your puppy will learn this trick!
TIPE Did your puppy run off? Hold out :
your hand and call “touch!” tosee him
race back to you! d es

nae t tS

4 Show your puppy a treat held between your 2 Encourage your puppy by saying “touch!”
fingers.

4 Now try it without a treat held between your

3 Click the instant your puppy's nose touches
fingers. Click when he touches your hand.
your hand, and allow him to take the treat.
Preliminary SKI 23
 ~ VERBAL CUE
Focus
HAND SIGNAL

yen you have your

ppy’s eyes, you have
Fis attention. Teach your
puppy to look directly
into your eyes as a way
to ask for his attention.
TEACH
TT:

4 Kneel down to puppy height. Hold your clicker in one hand, and in
the other hold a treat at your puppy's eye level. TROUBLESHOOTING
‘2 Slowly bring the treat back toward your eyes, while using a calm, MY PUPPY WON'T LOOK INTO MY EYES
drawn-out voice to cue “focus... focus...” Sit on the ground, at puppy height,
to appear less domineering. Speak
@ Once your puppy holds eye contact for a second or two, click your gently, and practice daily. Let your
clicker, and give him the treat. You want your puppy to be successful, puppy make the decision on his own
so try to click before he loses interest and looks away. As he gets to look into your eyes—do not force
better, you can start to require longer stares before you click. the exercise.
‘4 Begin to phase out the handheld treat and instead use your pointed
finger between your eyes and the word “focus” to cue his stare. Click
when he makes eye contact and give him a treat.

WRAT TO EXPECT: A puppy's eyesight is not fully developed until

he is about nine months old, so very young puppies will be less able
to focus on your eyes. Shy puppies may be hesitant to look into your
eyes, possibly because they feel it is confrontational. This exercise will
be especially helpful for those timid puppies. Most puppies can learn to
make eye contact within a couple of days.

a Get your puppy’s attention with a treat. 2 Slowly move the treat toward your eyes, as
you say “focus.”

3 Once your puppy holds eye contact, click, and 4 Use your pointed finger to cue this behavior.
give him the treat.

Prelim! ary Skills 5

 yose a time when your | is tired and calm. Pick her up gently
her on her back in your arms. Hold her securely and sit | TROUBLESHOOTING
Or or a ped as you do this, so that your puppy won't fall if MY PUPPY IS A SQUIRMY-WORMY!
rom your arms. Stroke her gently to make this | Some puppies are squirmier than _
ble one. Say “settle” in a soft, pleasant voice. others. For extra-feisty pups, practice
Another way to do the settle exercise is to lay your puppy on her back this exercise when your puppy is
already resting. Require only a few
xtended legs. Pick her up facing you, and slowly roll her
seconds of calmness before releasing
b konto your legs. If your puppy squirms, gently keep her on her
her. Do not release your puppy while
] 'she relaxes. Do not increase pressure, but stay calm and
she is squirming, or you will be —
tent. If you wait long enough, she will eventually relax. Once teaching her that she gets release
relaxes, relax your hold on bas from fighting you. Release her only
when she is calm.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Puppies vary widely on how they tolerate being
restrained. In the beginning, just have your puppy settle for a few
seconds, and then praise her and release her. As she becomes more
accustomed to this exercise, tryto have her settle for twenty seconds.

Cradle your puppy on 2 Pick your puppy up facing you. Set your puppy on your legs.
her back.

Roll her backward. Once she relaxes, relax your hold on her.

Preliminary Skills Q7
“Sometimes | like to
sleep in my kennel and
sometimes I don’t wann
sleep and then | bark.”
TEACH:
4 Acrate provides a den for your puppy, which instinctually feels safe
to him. Your puppy’s kennel is his personal space and he deserves TROUBLESHOOTING
to be left alone while inside. Blankets and a cover make it cozy and MY PUPPY WON'T GO IN HIS CRATE
comfortable, and a few toys inside will make it fun. You don’t want to ever force your
2 Allow your puppy to approach and explore a new kennel on his own. puppy into his crate, or he may
Once he is comfortable with his crate, toss a treat inside as you tell fest i walete es us and
him to “kennel up.” Praise him for going inside. eonennn une e plore : oe He
own. Puppies will show significantly
3 Now that he looks forward to this command, tell him to “kennel up” less fear of an object if allowed to
_ without tossing a treat inside. Once he goes in the crate, immediately approach it on their own, as opposed
_ praise him and give him a treat. Remember to give the treat while he to being forced toward it.
is inside the kennel, as this is the position you wish to reinforce.
@ You can give your puppy a Kong toy filled with peanut butter to keep
| him busy and happy in his kennel.

WHAT TO EXPECT: As part of his bedtime routine, your puppy will TPE Your puppy'srate shouldbelarge ‘|
: en Hipht roa .=enough: forhim to stand up, turn, around
look forward . kenneling up and receiving his good-night trea : an diedown comfo ably. ;

4 Blankets and a toy will make his kennel cozy. 2 Toss a treat in his kennel.

3 Give him a treat while he is in his kennel.

FFElTMNary oKiilS 29
 Come

“| have a friend
and he’s a cat
and sometimes
he scratches.”

Upon your call, your puppy

comes immediately to you.
Always reward your puppy
for obeying your “come”
command, whether it be
with praise, a treat, or a
play session.

30 51 Puppy Tricks
TEACH IT:

a Most puppies will eagerly come to you when called, so puppyhood

is the perfect time to teach this trick. Say “come,” and entice your TROUBLESHOOTING
puppy to come to you by crouching down, acting excited, patting your MY PUPPY RUNS OFF!
legs, and opening your arms. Do not chase your puppy, as that
“2 When your puppy comes to you, have a party! Give him a treat and oh eneeraee i i py cee
alr aici how wondedurhe ist away. Act interested in something on
Ee ae St ee the ground, or toss a toy around and
‘3 Engage your puppy's chase drive by calling “come” and running away act interested in it. That should pique
from him. Reward him excitedly when he catches you. Remember, your puppy’s curiosity and get him to
Catching you is your puppy's reward, so make it fun for him when return to you.
he does!
“4 Nowit’s time to transition your training from a game to a command.
Put your puppy on a lead and tell him to “come.” If he does not
come to you on his own, use the lead to reel him in to you. In both
cases, give him a treat when he gets to you.

WHAT T© EXPECT: A puppy can learn the meaning of “come” within

a week. Keep this command happy, and reward your puppy every single
time he comes (even if the reward is just praise or a petting).

Reward your puppy profusely when he reaches you.

,: j ageasa aQe als

& e | grr S
g i yy P
= 4 ee Pay ;
a e =f a a
often! (|
; la ;
: -_,
eS om by ai
= al he

3 Engage your puppy’s chase drive by running away 4 Transition from a game to a command, by enforcing the
from him. behavior with a lead.

Preliminary - 31
 intermediate

VERBAL CUE
vy
Stay
HAND SIGNAL
EACHIT:

@ Start with your puppy sitting. Stand directly in front of her, holding
your palm in front of her nose. In a firm tone, say “stay.”
@ Take a step backward, while keeping your hand up. Look directly into
_ your puppy’s eyes to hold her in place. Wait one second, then step
forward. Praise your puppy with “good stay” and give her a treat. Be
sure to give the praise and treat while your puppy is sitting, and not
after she has stood up.
‘3 If your puppy moves from her stay before you have released her,
put her back in the spot where she was told to stay.
@ Gradually increase the time you ask your puppy to stay, as well as
the distance between-yourselves. You want your puppy to be
successful so if she is breaking her stays, regressto a time and
distance she is able to achieve.

WEAY TO EXPECT: Puppies need time to learn self-control. Ask your

puppy only for what she is able to achieve. As she matures, she will be
better able to hold a longer stay.

TEE Useyeu puppyS. ae wh nye

2 Take a step backward, keeping your hand up.

Hold your puppy with your eyes. Step forward and reward your puppy.

Preliminary Skills 33
7 |
 easy
a

:
Find Me

VERBAL CUE
Find [your name]

Hide from your

puppy, call for her to
find you by name, and
reward her when she pt
ons
arate
esau

does. This game teaches

your puppy to recognize
‘I’m really good at
your name, and also finding stuff, and
conditions her to think of once | found this
you as a reward. great thing in the
yard.”

34 51 Puppy Tric
TEACH IT:

a@ Make this game fun for your puppy with high energy and laughter!
Put some treats in your pocket and when your puppy is distracted, ‘TROUBLESHOOTING
slip out of the room. MY PUPPY GETS ANXIOUS AND WHINES
@ Ina happy voice call “find [your name]!” Listen for your puppy’s WHEN SHE CAN'T FIND ME
_ footsteps, and if you do not hear her running toward you, call again. If your puppy is looking for you, but
can’t find you, she may become
3 When your puppy finds you, throw a party! Laugh, praise her, and anxious. Help her out by clapping
give her a treat. Reinforce her recognition of your name by saying or moving a little so she can detect
“good find [your name]}!” you. Her victory wili be that much
sweeter if it was a little challenging
to find you!
(HAT TO EXPECT: This trick is a wonderful combination of fun and
learning! Most puppies love this game and will be super excited to find
: bu! As your puppy's sense of smell matures, she will use her nose to
:SI ffyou out, and you'll need to find more difficult hiding spots!

4 Sneak out of the room when your puppy is distracted. 2 Call to your puppy to “find [your name]!”

Give your puppy a treat.

3 Throw a party when your puppy finds you!
Preliminary Skills 35
Paws...legs, hea and mouths can be structured into a
: variety of body hp and your puppy can learn a name for each
position. Teach your puppy a name for raising his paw, sitting, or rolling
over. Learning names for these positions will give you and your puppy
a common language in which to communicate.

Some of the tricks in this chapter require We often use the technique of luring
physical strength and coordination the puppy’s head in order to get him
that a young puppy may not yet have. to position himself. This technique is
Crawling, bowing, and rolling over very effective when executed properly.
will be more difficult for a puppy than Study the photos in order to help you
learning a sit, a down, or lifting his paw. position and move the treat at the
Some tricks, such as barking or singing, proper angle.
will come easier for a confident and
well-socialized puppy.

Although it may be tempting to

physically manipulate your puppy’s
“Look what I can do.”
body into position, such as by lifting his
paw while teaching him to shake hands,
it will benefit him more if you allow him
the time to figure out the body position
on his own. i

37
 easy

VERBAL CUE
Sit
HAND SIGNAL

“I got a bath
today and then
I ran ’round and
round.”

Sit is often the

first trick a Puppy
learns, and puppies
as young as eight
weeks can learn
this trick.
TEACH IT:

: Kneel in front of your puppy. Hold your clicker in one hand, and in a0 a
the other hold a treat in front of your puppy’s nose. So TROUBLESHOOTING
Q ‘Say “sit” and slowly move the treat in an arc, up and back over your | CAN'T GET MY PUPPY TO SIT
__ puppy's head. This should cause her nose to point up and her rearto \ Some puppies are squirmy, and it
_ drop. There is a little trick to this: first lure her nose to point high up, _ May take a while for your puppy to
and then start to move the treat down at an angle, from her nose : finally sit. Sometimes working in front
© toward her tail. ee of a wall will help, as your puppy
won't have room to move backward.
The instant her rear ie the
floor,click your clicker and release
the treat.
elf you fifind a pubes isapie, it may be that you are holding your
=: treat too high. If your puppy keeps moving backward, it may be that.
you are moving the the treat horizontally, instead of in an arc.
Once your puppy is consistently sitting, wait a few seconds before
clicking and rewarding.

WHAT 70 EXPECT: Most puppies start to learn this trick within a few
days, although it usually takes about 100 repetitions before they can do
it consistently.

4 Hold a treat in front of 2 Lure her nose up and back, 3 Click and reward when her rear
your puppy’s nose. causing her rear to drop. touches the floor.

4 Don’t hold the treat too high. Don’t push the treat 5 Tell your puppy to “sit,” and wait a few sie aioe
horizontally. clicking and rewarding.

39
 cacy

Down
VERBAL CUE
Down
HAND SIGNAL
Ios Rea
}

“I like ice cubes and

Teach your puppy to lie down
I like to play with
them and | like to
Cif only for a moment). This trick can
crunch them.” be learned by very young puppies.
EACH
TS

> Kneel next to your puppy. Show him a treat and move it relatively
quickly at down and toward his front paws. TROUBLESHOOTING
Q When your puppy follows the treat, his nose will end up between his MY PUPPY LIES DOWN ON SOME
paws, putting him in an awkward position, which will usually make SURFACES BUT NOT OTHERS
him lie down. If your puppy does not lie down right away, move the Pay attention to the ground surface.
treat along the floor toward him, putting him in an even more Short-coated puppies will often resist
lying down on hard or cold floor. Try
awkward position. It may take a little time, but your puppy should
a carpet or blanket.
eventually lie down.
3 The instant your puppy lies down, click your clicker and release
the treat.
4 After some practice, try using just your pointed finger on the ground,
— instead of the treat. When you puppy lies down, click your clicker and
give him a treat from your pocket. Remember to give the reward while
your puppy is lying down, and not after he has stood up.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Puppies often take two or three weeks to learn

this trick. Remember to click your clicker at the exact instant that your
puppy lies down, as this will help him understand what he did to earn
the treat.

4 Move the treat at an angle toward your puppy’s paws. 2 Move the treat along the floor toward your puppy.

4 The instant sia puppy goes down, click, and let him 4 Try a pointed finger instead of a treat. Click and give a
have the treat. treat from your pocket.
 - VERBAL CUE
Crawl

“The grass tickles

my belly!”

your puppy |
orward, sliding her
on the floor.

42 51
TEACH IT:

4 Start with your puppy lying down, and kneel nexttoher. Show hera oe oo
treat hidden under your hand. TROUBLESHOOTING
@ na drawn-out voice tell her “crawl . . . ” as you slowly slide the treat _____ MY PUPPY STANDS UP
away from her. : | You are sliding the treat too fast.

3 She will hopefully take a crawl step or two with her front paws in an | ws ey ee deue : ;
effortto follow the treat. Click your clicker when she does this, and let She might be unsure of what she is
her hove the Weat \ supposed to do. Keep your energy
: enthusiastic.
Build up distance by waiting until your puppy takes several crawl
steps before clicking and treating.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Many puppies are able to begin crawling in their

first training session. Lankier breeds will have a harder time crawling, and
all puppies will need to build up strength to crawl farther.

2 Slowly slide the treat away from her.

3 Click as soon as she takes a step, and let her

have the treat.

Body Positions 43
_Roll Over
VERBAL CUE
Roll over

Your puppy rolls sideways on

her back, completing a full
rotation. Small breed puppies
sometimes have an easier
time with this behavior, but
all puppies are capable of
learning this trick.

“| like to roll in stuff.”

44
TEACH IT:

4 Kneel down, facing your puppy as she is lying down. Hold a treat in
front of her nose, and move it to the side of her head opposite the
direction you wish her to roll.
2 Continue to move the treat toward her shoulder blade. This should
lure your puppy to flop onto her side. Click your clicker at that instant
and release the treat.

3. When you are ready to move to the next step, continue the motion
with your hand as you move the treat from her shoulder blade toward
her backbone. This should lure her to roll onto her back, and over to
her other side. Click and reward the moment she lands on her
opposite side.
4 As she improves, say “roll over” and use a more subtle hand gesture.
It often helps to lean your body in the direction of the roll over, to
remind your puppy of what she is supposed to do.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Practice five to ten times per session, and in two
weeks your puppy could be rolling over!

“I go potty outside.
Most times.”

cers

Body Positions
ROLL OVER

to the side of her head.

2 Continue to move the treat toward her shoulder blade. 3 Move the treat from her shoulder blade to her backbone.

Following the lure, she should roll onto her back...

46 51 Puppy Tricks
4 Cue “roll over” and make your hand signal more subtle.

47
 “I go to Puppy
Class with my
owner so she can
learn stuff.”

Your puppy learns to

put his front paws up
onan object suchasa —
box ora sturdy chair.
TEACH
WT:

® Hold a treat slightly above a sturdy box or low chair and cue your
puppy “paws up.” Pat the box with your other hand to coax your TROUBLESHOOTING
puppy’s front paws onto it. MY PUPPY WON'T STEP ONTO THE BOX
® The instant both of your puppy’s paws come up on the box, click your Encourage him by patting the box
clicker, and give your puppy the treat. with your hand and using a happy
voice. Reward just one paw on the
3 Once your puppy gets the hang of this, try keeping your treat in your box at first if that is all he is offering.
treat bag and give the cue without the food lure. If your puppy puts
MY PUPPY JUMPS ON TOP OF THE BOX
his paws on the box, click, and give him a treat.
OR OVER THE BOX
You are holding the treat too far past
WHAT TO EXPECT: Most puppies can be lured up on a box during the center of the box. Hold the treat
their first training session. Some puppies are more apprehensive, and may only slightly beyond the far edge of
take a second or third day. the box.

“If | don’t know what it

is | usually just eat it.”

4 Use a treat to lure your puppy up. 2 Click once both paws are up. Allow him to 3 Next, give the cue without the food
Pat the box to help coax him. have the treat. lure. Click and reward with a treat
from your pocket.

Body Po Ons 49
 intermediate

Bow Your Heac

VERBAL CUE
Prayers
HAND SIGNAL

Your puppy places his front

paws on the edge of a bed
or chair, and bows his head
between his arms.

“It was an
accident.”
TEACH
IT:

» First, teach your puppy the paws up trick (page 48). Kneel in front of
the box, with your puppy to your side. Hold a treat in the hand that is TROUBLESHOOTING
closest to your puppy, and hold your clicker in your other hand. MY PUPPY DROPS ONE PAW OFF THE
2 Use your hand with the clicker to lure your puppy to put his “paws BOX WHEN | OFFER THE TREAT
up” on the box. Offer the treat closer to his nose,
and not as low. Your arm should be
» AS soon as your puppy's paws are up, cue “prayers” and use your coming from below.
hand with the treat to reach up from below, luring your puppy’s head
_ down between his paws.
- Once your puppy bows his head to follow the treat, click your clicker,
and release the treat. Start by requiring only a mild bowing of his
head, and be sure to give the treat only while your puppy is in the
correct position—with two paws on the box and head bowed. : TIP! ‘Always givetherewardfroma.
» As he improves, have your puppy wait a few seconds before releasing _ near your puppy’s chest, as rewarding —
the treat from your closed fist. Pe : from above would encourage him, to
ae Peetinanticipation. ee

WHAT TO EXPECT: Puppies usually take a few weeks of squirming

before they understand this trick.

4 Hold your clicker in one hand, 2 Use your clicker hand to lure your 3 Use the treat in your other hand to lure
and a treat in the other. puppy up. your puppy’s head down.

‘4 Click and release the treat. 5 Have your puppy wait a few seconds before releasing the treat.
51
 intermediate

VERBAL CUE
Tug

Many dogs learn to love a good

game of tug with their owner,
and this game can be a bonding
activity as you play together.

Once you have your puppy

playing tug, you can transfer that
skill to teach her to pull a rope to
open a door, gate, drawer, or toy
box lid.

“im stronger
then just about
anybody!”

52 51 Puppy Tricks
EACH IT:

J Choose a tug toy that is long and whippy, with fur, fleece, or leather
_ hanging pieces. Squeakers or food pockets will be extra enticing. TROUBLESHOOTING
2 Play with the toy; if it seems interesting to you, it will be interesting to | HEARD PLAYING TUG WITH YOUR
your puppy. Slide the toy on the ground erratically away from your PUPPY CAUSES AGGRESSION
puppy. If your puppy is hesitant, let the toy rest on the ground for a Tug is a prey-drive game, and it is
~ moment and then skitter it away in fear when she approaches. Your not uncommon for puppies to grow!
while they are tugging. This is not
_ toy should imitate a real prey animal who doesn’t want to be caught.
necessarily aggressive behavior, but
3° Once your puppy catches the toy, say “tug” and tug the toy. Move the you don’t want your puppy to go
_ toy smoothly side to side (not a backward/forward tug), with an beyond a midlevel stimulation. If she
occasional careful “jerk.” If the toy ever falls from your puppy's iS growling too much, end the game
~ mouth, it goes back to being live prey that tries to run away. If your and put the toy away.
puppy is reluctant to tug, let go of the toy as soon as she bites it,
and give her lots of praise.
4 After a few seconds of tugging, let your puppy pull the toy from your
hands as her reward.

NHAT TO EXPECT: Bull breeds and terriers are naturals for this trick,
jut all puppies lovea good pull now and then. Play daily, and within a
yeek your puppy could tugging vigorously.

4° Choose the right tug toy for your

puppy.

3 Play tug when your puppy catches it. 4 let your puppy pull it from your hands.

Body Positions 53
a | |
 4 SGoy

Kisses
VERBAL CUE

“How much longer

‘til chowtime?”

Your puppy gives kisses

by licking or nosing
your cheek.

54
 TROUBLESHOOTING
MY PUPPY BITES MY CHEEK
Puppies have sharp milk teeth, and
haven't yet learned bite inhibition.
3 ASsoon as your puppyy touches yourr cheek with her nose or tongue, Tell her “easssssy” in a drawn-out
licker and give your puppy a treat. : , eo tone. Ifyour puppy accidently bites
+ atra few repetitions. of letting your puppy lick the peanut puteron. -You, Say “ouch!” and move her away
eek, try one with no peanut butter. With a treat held behind from you. (Be sure you stay put
y ir back,Point to your cheek and tell your puppy “kisses!” When and move her away from you; if you :
she licks| J the instant by clicking your clicker, and were to back away from her, it could
2 BH enatd heewith the ae from behind your back. encourage her to keep coming after
you in this fun Bans, \. :

WHAT To EXPECT: Put ies will often learn this trick within a week,
ugh shyes ‘may Le more le

1 Let your puppy lick your finger. 2 Dab peanut butter on your cheek. 3 Click the moment your puppy
touches your cheek.

333)
Head Cock

What’s that?

Take an adorable
photo of your puppy
by having him perk
his ears and cock his
head to the side.

“| don’t like having

“omy n immed so

56
EACH IT:
Puppies have a hard time identifying the direction of the source of
a high-pitched sound, so they perk their ears and cock their head TROUBLESHOOTING
to one side to help them locate it. Select a toy that makes a long, MY PUPPY IS NOT COCKING HIS HEAD.
drawn-out, high-pitched squeal. You can also use a blown-up Try different noises, such as a hiss
balloon and stretch the opening into a slit, so that it squeals as like “psssssss,” or a stacato “eee-
the air escapes. eee-eee,” or your best imitation of
@ Hide the toy behind your back, and squeak it. As it is squealing, say ae e0a OnE
“what's that?” in a high-pitched voice.
3 The moment you see your puppy's head cock to the side, click your
clicker, and follow up with a treat.
Now try it without the toy. Use a high-pitched, sing-songy voice to ee 2
imitate the squeal of the toy; “what’s that?” Click and treat your TP! Puppies react most strongly to
puppy's head cock. a noise the first time they hearit,and _
become accustomed to it over time.
NHAT TO EXPECT: Some puppies cock their heads more readily than LE
thers, depending on their ear set and how they react to sound. You can
yften get your puppy to cock his head the first time you try.

| | »

\ oe
Ligeee sp
\y cps)
U ret »
‘ Cuil an
7D, if at i
— — ic? wa
3 Click and treat when your puppy cocks his head.

4 Use your high-pitched voice to elicit the same reaction. Click and give him a treat.
Body Positions 57
Walk on a Loose Leash

VERBAL CUE

Walkies

“Il wish we could

go on walks a//
the time!”

Teach your puppy

to walk on a loose
leash alongside you,
without pulling.
eanTt:

e oe. your puppy on a walk using a 6' (1.8 m) leash. Hold your leash —
: inone hand, and your clicker in the other. TROUBLESHOOTING
e Any time your puppy stops pulling and lets the leash go slack, click, i AM | SUPPOSED TO DO A LEASH FOF
and give her a treat. Tell her “good walkies” so she associates WHEN SHE PULLS?
positive feelings toward this word. No, your intention should not be to
hurt your puppy, but rather to not
pea Once you ve practiced several walkies using positive reinforcement allow her to get what she wants by
rewards for polite walking, it is time to teach your puppy that there is pulling. She will learn that she can
a penalty for impolite pulling. When your puppy forges ahead and move forward so long as she does so
pl S on her leash, stop oe in your tracks. Do not allow her to a with a slack leash. Pulling will always
pull you forward. result in a stop.
Your puppy will eventually turn around and walk toward you. When
she does, click and give her a treat. Say AS and start moving
a oe aoe

WHAT To EXPECT: In the beginning, you will find yourself stopping in

your tracks very often. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you ten minutes to
getto the end of your driveway, as it will get easier every time. Remember
to give out as many treats as penalty stops, and your puppy should be
walking nicely in two to three weeks.

4 Hold your leash in one hand and your 2 Anytime your puppy lets the leash go slack, click and give her
clicker in the other. a treat.

al Ey

3 > When your puppy pulls .. . stop abruptly in your tracks.

Shake Hands

“My owner says I’m

going to grow up real
big because | have
big paws.”

Teach your polite puppy

to lift her paw and shake
your hand. Your puppy
can eventually learn to
shake both her right and
her left paws.
TEACH IT:

4 Hold a clicker in one hand, and in the other, hold a treat in your fist
_ low to the ground in front of your puppy. Encourage her to paw at it TROUBLESHOOTING
by saying “get it” and “shake,” INSTEAD OF PAWING AT MY HAND, MY
2 The moment your puppy's paw lifts off the ground, whether it touches PUPPY NOSES IT
your hand or not, click your clicker, and then open your hand and let Disregard the nosing; neither reward
her take the treat. Your timing of the click is very important. Try to it nor punish it. You can move your
hand out of the way when she noses
click when her paw is off the ground, and not after she has put it
it to break her train of thought.
back down. Be patient, as it may take several minutes to get the
Reward any paw contact, whether or
_ behavior. You can try tapping the back of your puppy's paw to give
not she is nosing your hand at the
her the idea to lift it.
same time.
3 After you puppy is successful in lifting her paw, you can up the ante
by challenging her to lift her paw higher. Raise the height of your
hand holding the treat, and encourage your puppy to paw at it. When
she does, click and open your hand to let her have the treat.
Again, be sure to time the click precisely—right when her paw
touches your hand.
A ie Once your puppy is doing this well, it is time to try it without the treat
in your hand. Hold out your empty hand and cue your puppy to
“shake.” When she paws at your hand, click, and then reach into your
treat bag and give her a treat from there.

WHAY TO EXPECT: Some breeds are more paw-sy than others, but
any puppy can learn this trick, and it’s always an endearing gesture.
Practice a couple of times per day, and always finish on a high note.
Within two weeks your puppy could be politely proffering her paw.

“Here’re things | like: food, hot

dogs, ice cubes, chasing things,
biting, digging, jumping, food,
furry things.”

Body Positions 61
SHAKE HANDS

1 Hide a treat in your fist low to the ground and 2 The moment her paw comes off the ground, click
encourage your puppy by saying “get it! shake!” your clicker.

Open your hand and let your puppy have the treat. 3 Raise your hand and have your puppy lift her paw
higher. Click when she does.

62
4 Hold out your empty hand and cue your puppy to Immediately take a treat from your treat bag and give
“shake.” Click when she paws at your hand. her this reward.

“I forget which one is

my right and which one
is my left.”

Cc Ba eis) eS 6
Body Positions 3
 intermediate

VERBAL CUE
Bark (or speak)
HAND SIGNAL

“L like to
bark! Bark,
bark, bark,
bark, bark!”

Teach your puppy

to speak his mind
by barking on your
cue. Teaching your
puppy a cue word for
barking will also hel
you to communicate
“no bark” when you
wish him to be silent.

64 91 Puppy 1
TEACH IT:

@ To teach this trick, you need to find a way to elicit a bark from your
puppy, and then reward him for it. Puppies will often bark out of TROUBLESHOOTING
frustration. Get your puppy excited and then tease him with a treat; | CAN'T FIND A STIMULUS TO MAKE MY
“Do you want it? Speak for it!” When your puppy barks, say “good PUPPY BARK.
bark!” and quickly give him a treat. Try these: your doorbell, metal keys
[If that doesn’t work, you'll have to find another stimulus that makes es » — . see
your puppy bark. Often a knocking sound will do the trick. Give the a ne Soutes eee ey
“ 7 2 different alert sounds from your
cue “bark,” and knock on something.
computer or phone.
‘3 When your puppy barks, immediately reward him, and reinforce the
cue with “good bark.” Repeat this process about six times.
Continuing in the same session, give the cue but don’t knock. You
may have to cue several times to get a bark. If your puppy is not
barking, return to the previous steps.

WHAT T© EXPECT: Provided you've got a reliable stimulus that

causes your puppy to bark, he can learn this trick in one session.

2 Cue “bark,” and knock to cause your puppy to bark.

3 |Immediately reward your puppy. 4 Give the cue without knocking.

Body Positions 65
 Intermeaiate

_ Sing _ |
VERBAL CUE
[howling sound]

Howling along with a

dog pack is an instinctive
behavior that signifies
group cohesion.
Even eight-week-old
puppies will howl when
presented with the right
stimulus. If you can hit
the right notes, your
puppy can learn to sing
along with you.

“Some of my
favorite treats
are cheese,
cheese balls, and
noodles.”

66
TEACH:
‘| Puppies instinctively how! along with sounds they interpret to be
another howl. These are usually loud, high-pitched sounds like sirens, TROUBLESHOOTING
clarinets, and flutes. We'll use a harmonica to imitate a howl sound, CAN | SKIP THE HARMONICA STEP, AND
as it is inexpensive and requires no musical ability on your part. JUST USE MY VOICE?
@ Stick to the higher-pitched notes on your harmonica, and blow each Sedan ones eet alah we
note for a few seconds before sliding to another note. At first, your ey ee ae ee ey
puppy may become agitated: jumping on you, biting, pawing, or ane a Heinen Ha A VO
voice.
barking. This is a new experience for him, and he is deciding how to
respond. Within a couple of minutes he will probably howl or whine
a little.
- 3 Once you have your puppy singing with the harmonica, try using just
your voice to elicit a howl. Keep your mouth in an oval shape, sing
“guwww” and let the howl resonate for a few seconds, gradually
reducing inflection and fading out.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Northern breeds and some hounds tend to howl

most readily, but all puppies have the instinct. “I didn’t do it.”

3 Use your voice to imitate a howl, and

2 Your puppy may give various responses to your harmonica music.
your puppy will sing along with you.

ly Positions
67
 Sr
eA A aS kh ah ie a
tld
ra a
A
Leta an ek A a i
“I like to have stuff in my
mouth and sometimes | chew
it and sometimes | eat ”

a
ag
en lea
rales
a a
 4 Strerngth,/ ..
eoricence and body:awareness will take
EP timet to develop |In your puppy, Out you can help him by training the
. tricks in this chapter. Your puppy will be challenged to go through a
scary tunnel, balance on a wobbly teeter board, and catch a flying disk.
Use lots of encouragement with your puppy, and let him approach each
— obstacleathis own pace. The bond that develops as you work together
to achieve your goals will be worth the effort!

_Someof the tricks in this chapter involve

jumping. Young puppies can injure
their growing bones by jumping or
~ twisting too much. Different breeds can
handle different amounts of physical
stress at different ages, so you'll want =
~ to check with your veterinarian before
: “encouraging your puppy to jump.

_Make sure the ground surface has good

traction, as you don’t want your puppy
to slip and hurt himself.

69
“Sometimes | take
a shoe and then
my owner chases
me and it’s fun.”
 ort, straight tunnel in a familiar area. ee
nd and make eye contact with her TROUBLESHOOTING
A MY PUPPY DOES A U-TURN INSIDE THE —
TUNNEL INSTEAD OF GOING ALL THE
_ WAY THROUGH.
Toss several treats along the length of
the tunnel to keep luring her forward.
_ MY PUPPY IS SCARED TO GO INSIDE —
Don’t coddle your puppy when she
shows fear. Walk by the tunnel many
times during the day, and your puppy
will grow more confident around it.

4 Coax your puppy through a short tunnel using a treat. Give her the treat when she exits the tunnel.

2 Toss a treat into a longer tunnel. 3 Call to your puppy so she knows where you are.
Reward her as she exits.

11
 intermediate

Teeter Board _ je J
VERBAL CUE
Teeter

The teeter-totter is an obstacle

in the sport of dog agility.
Young puppies can already
prepare for this obstacle
oy learning to balance on a
teeter board and becoming
accustomed to the bang the
board makes when it shifts.

‘| have a coat that |

wear when it’s cold.
I think it got too
small though.”
TEACH IT:

1 Hold your clicker in one hand, and a treat in the other. Start simply
by using a treat to lure your puppy onto a plank lying on the ground.
Click your clicker when he steps on it with even one paw, and let him
have the treat.
®@ Position a flat 2" x 4" (5 x 10 cm) board under the middle of the
plank. Do not use a round dowel or triangular board, as this can
cause the plank to slip when your puppy steps on it.
3 Cue “teeter” and use a+treat to lure your puppy onto one end of the
plank and continue to lure him forward along the plank. Don’t worry if
not all of his paws are on the plank.
‘4 When he gets to the center of the plank, his weight will pivot the
plank and there will be a bang sound. The second you hear the bang,
click your clicker, and let him have the treat in your hand. The bang
sound can be startling for your puppy, so you want to associate it
with a positive outcome (the treat).
5) Your puppy will learn that the bang of the plank is an indicator of a
treat. This is a great confidence booster for your puppy, and will make
his transition to the full-sized teeter-totter a cinch.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Use lots of praise and encouragement with this

new and unstable obstacle, and never use force as it will heighten an
already present fear. Most puppies are a little timid their first time on
the teeter-totter, but conquer their fear quickly with praise and treats!
Don't force the issue—tomorrow is another day and your puppy may feel
differently about the obstacle then.

“I have lots and lots and lots

of toys. But | probably still
need a few more toys.”

pa 00
TEETER BOARD

1 Lure your puppy to step onto a plank. 2 Position a board under the plank.

Continue to lure him across the plank.

4 When the plank pivots to the other side and bangs, click,
and give your puppy a treat.

74
‘5 Soon your puppy will be eager to bang the board,
as he knows the bang indicates a treat.

“I like to make
loud noises!”
 easy

VERBAL CUE
Spin c
HAND SIGNAL
]
4 soe}

“Here’re my toys: duck,

2e, kong, bone,

squeak-squeak.”

Puppies learn the spin trick quickly,

and once they learn it, they will
perform it every chance they get!

16
TEACH IT:

4 Hold a treat in your right hand, and your clicker in your left. Face your
puppy and get her interested in your treat.
@ Cue your puppy to “spin,” and move your right hand with the treat to
your right, luring your puppy to follow.
3 Continue moving your hand forward, and all the way around in a large
counterclockwise circle. Keep your hand low, at puppy-height, and
move slowly so that you don’t lose your puppy.
@ Once your puppy has followed your hand all the way around your
circle, click your clicker, and release the treat.
5 As your puppy improves, start to trace smaller and faster circles with
your treat. Eventually you will have to do no more than a flick of your
wrist to your right to signal your puppy to spin. This wrist flick
becomes your hand signal.
6 You can also teach your puppy to spin the the other direction. Use
the same technique as spin, but cue “around” and use your left hand
to trace a clockwise circle.

WHAT T© EXPECT: Practice ten times per day and in a week your
puppy could be spinning circles!

“Where’re you going? What’re you

doing? Why’d you do that? What’s
that? What’re you doing now?”
 SPIN

luring your puppy to follow. 3 Continue to trace a counterclockwise circle.

78 51 Puppy Tricks
 -

At the end of the circle, click. . .

' Trace smaller and faster hand circles to cue © Teach your puppy to spin in the other direction.
your puppy.

Coordination 719
 aavancea

_
Figure-8s
Sai

VERBA

As you stand with

your legs apart,
your puppy runs
figure-8s
between them.
TEACH IT:

€ Start by holding several small treats in each of your hands. Stand

with your legs apart, and your puppy on your left side. Get your TROUBLESHOOTING
puppy's attention with the treat in your left hand. I’M HAVING TROUBLE GETTING MY
@ Cue “cross” and move your treat at your puppy's nose height, PUPPY TO FOLLOW MY FOOD LURE
forward, and between your legs. Think of your treat as an imaginary Some puppies are either not that
leash to “pull” your puppy through your legs from front to back. interested in a food lure, or so hyper
that they are not following the lure
At the point where your left hand is between your legs, reach your smoothly. For these puppies, you can
right hand behind your leg to meet your left hand. Pull your left hand attach a tab lead—a short, 12" (30.5
away, and continue to lure your puppy with your right hand, cm) leash—and guide them through
Once you have lured your puppy through your legs, continue to move that way.
your right hand forward, luring your puppy to your right side. When
your puppy's head is alongside your right leg, let her have one of the
treats from your right hand. Be sure to give the treat when your puppy
is in this position, at the side of your leg, as this is the position where
your puppy is the most apt to continue moving forward.
Since you started with several treats in each hand, you should still TIPEMake sure
s yourpuppy
5 always
have another treat in your right hand which you can use to continue
to Jure your puppy forward and between your legs. Again, meet your
front. aliows youltowatch7=
h approach. ee
hands together between your Jegs. Withdraw your right hand, and
continue luring with your left hand. Reward your puppy when she is
alongside your left leg.
' As your puppy improves, use your pointed finger to lure your puppy
around your legs rather than the food lure. Keep your feet planted but
Junge to each side as your puppy crosses between your legs. As she
crosses between your legs in preparation for circling your right leg,
your right leg should be bent, and she should see your right hand
guiding her through your legs and toward your right leg. Have your
puppy do several figure-8’s before giving her a treat, but continue the
habit of only rewarding alongside your leg. Reward sometimes
alongside your left leg and sometimes alongside your right, so your
puppy does each side with equal eagerness.
age
ay
Rage Finally, stand up straight and just use a pointed finger along your
ans?
“Can I have a cookie?
side and say “cross” to cue your puppy.
I’ll be really, really good.
| promise.”
WHAT TO EXPECT: A puppy can be following your food lure through
your legs in a few days. In two or three weeks she can be jogging easily
Cad
through your legs.

81
FIGURE 8$

eal

and between your legs.

3 Switch hands and lure your puppy 4 Let her have the treat at the side of
with your right hand. your leg.

5 Continue luring with your right hand, Now lure with your left hand. Reward alongside your leg.
and bring your left hand to meet it.

82 51 Puppy Tricks
—

Reward after several circles. 7 Finally, cue your puppy with simply a point and a leg lunge.

“I’m gonna lie

down now.”

Coordination 83
 HGS Noe

Volleyball
VERBACULE
| Bounce

Toss a lightweight ball or a balloon

to your puppy, and teach him
to bounce It back to you using
his nose. This trick will helo your
puppy develop motor function
and coordination skills.

“Sometimes we visit
the vet and he has a
furry mustache and
sometimes he lets me
chew on it.”
TEACH
TT:

4 The first step to teaching volleyball is to teach your puppy to catch a

tossed item. Use a soft plush toy, and get your puppy interested in it TROUBLESHOOTING
by squiggling it around and squeaking it if it has a squeaker. MY PUPPY IS SCARED OF THE FALLING
2 When your puppy is focused on the toy, say “catch!” and toss it up in BALL
a slow arc toward your puppy. Use your clicker to mark the instant he Don't eee He Pall at yout Puppy, ae
catches the toy, and then follow up with a treat. eS pian ate ret falls down Vent
: in front of your puppy. You can also
‘3 Once your puppy is pretty good at catching a toy, switch to a large try using a balloon, as it falls more
lightweight ball or a balloon (a regulation volleyball is too heavy for slowly through the air.
your puppy). Face your puppy and cue “bounce” as you toss the ball
in a high arc so that it will come down rather vertically above your
puppy’s nose. Because of the large circumference of the ball, your
puppy will be unable to catch it, and the ball will instead bounce off
his nose and in a similar high arc back to you. Yay, you did it!

WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick is often easier to teach than it looks!

Once your puppy is able to catch a toy, he could be bouncing a toy
volleyball off his nose in his first training session!

1 Get your puppy interested in a 2 Toss the toy to your puppy, and Follow up with a treat.
plush toy. click his catch.

e ©

3
i
Toss alightweight ball in a high
arc and cue “bounce.”
e's
When you puppy tries to catch it,
it will bounce off his nose.
&
Yay! You did it!
yx
Coordination 85
 VERBAL CUE
Hup

As you kneel on the

floor, your PUPPY
Jumps over your
extended leg. Your
puppy can learn to
run circles around you,
Jumping your leg
each time.
gs i
4 Knee! on the Sound with your right leg outstretched. Placing your toe
ss against a wall will prevent your puppy from going around your leg. TROUBLESHOOTING
Hold your clickeriin your left hand and a treat in your right. Start with I’M NOT PHYSICALLY ABLE TO KNEEL IN
SS your puppy on your left side, and lure him over your leg with the treat. THIS POSITION
, An enthusiastic “hup!” will stimulate him into action! If your puppy Try this variation: Sit in a chair facing
_____ is reluctant, lure him slowly so that he first places his front paws on a wall. Extend both of your feet, with
your thigh. Allow him to nibble the treat from this position, then move your toes on the floor, touching the
__ the treat farther away. Your puppy may be tempted to cross near your base of the wall. Lean forward in your
ankle as that is the lowest spot, so keep your treat close to your body chair and lure your puppy over your
to tempt him in that direction. As he crosses over your leg, click your legs. Instead of having your puppy
clicker, and then let him have the treat. circle behind you, hold treats in both
hands and have him jump back and
2 Start with your puppy on your left. This time, switch hands so that forth over your legs.
your clicker is in your right hand and a treat is in your left. Use your
___ Clicker as a lure to guide your puppy’s attention over your leg. Click
as your puppyisjumping or walking over your leg.
» Use your right hand to guide your puppy’s attention around toward
your back. Move your left hand to meet your right hand behind your
back. Wiggle the treat in your left hand to get your puppy to focus on
it instead of your clicker, and move your clicker hand out of the way. TIP! Don’t encourage your puppy to
_ Using the treat in your left hand, continue to guide your puppy jump high, as it could injure his
_ around your back, and to your left side. growing bones.
4 Once your puppy has made it all the way around your body back to
your left side, let him have the treat. In this trick the treat will always
be given at your left side, as this will encourage a speedy jump and
_ circle from your puppy.
: ‘5 After giving your treat, immediately refocus your puppy on the clicker
in your right hand, and guide him over your leg again to repeat the
whole routine.
“Once | found a big toad and
: ‘6 Once your puppy has the hang of this, put away your clicker and he jumped and | was scared of
instead use a pointed finger and a sweeping motion of your right arm him at first but then | wasn’t
to signal your puppy to jump over your leg. As always, reward your scared any more.”
puppy at your left side.

“WHAT TO EXPECT: This is usually a fun trick for puppies, and one
that they enjoy performing. Practice when your puppy is full of energy and
he should get the hang of it within a week!

Coordination 87
JUMP OVERMY LEG

‘4 Put your right foot against the wall. Lure your puppy over
your leg with a treat. Click as he passes over your leg.

2 Switch your clicker into your right hand and a treat into Click when your puppy crosses over your leg.
your left. Guide your puppy with your clicker hand.

—
e

3 Connect your hands behind your back and refocus his Continue to lure him around your body with the treat in
attention on the treat in your left hand. your left hand.

88 51 Puppy Tricks
Once your puppy has made it around to your left side, ‘5 Refocus your puppy’s attention on the clicker in your
let him have the treat. right hand and repeat the process.

Use a sweeping motion of your right arm to signal

your puppy.

“Listen, do you like

my song? I'll play
some more!”

Always reward your puppy when he comes around to

your left side.
 HMC Uuiats

Hoop Jump —
VERBAL CUE
Hup

“I can do it too, just

like the big dogs!”

Teach your puppy to

jump through a hoop! This
impressive trick is lots of fun
for your puppy, and also
prepares him for the tire
jump used in the sport of
dog agility.

90 Oa 1 Puppy Tricks
 TEACH IT: oo

4 Remove the noisy beads within a toy hula hoop as they may frighten
your puppy. Allow her time to investigate the hoop and overcome any | TROUBLESHOOTING
fear she has of it. Puppies can be frightened to go through the hoop THE HOOP FELL ON MY PUPPY AND
for the first time, and it is important that you allow your puppy to | NOW SHE IS FRIGHTENED OF IT!
make the decision to go through on her own, without forcing her. Puppies pick up on your energy.
Hold your hoop across a doorway, with your puppy on one side of the i Dont roa your Puppy: just act ike
doorway, and you on the other. Use the hand that is closest to your ie not se Oeet and pioceee wi)
the lesson.
puppy to hold both the hoop and also your clicker. Hold a treat in
your other hand, and use it to lure your puppy through the hoop.
Click the moment she crosses through the hoop and allow her to take
the treat on the other side.
ae Now try it in an open room. Hold the hoop on the ground with the
hand closest to your puppy, tell her “hup,” and lure her through with
a treat in your other hand. Click when she goes through, and let her
have the treat on the other side.
As your puppy gets the idea, begin to raise the hoop off the floor.
Dependingon a puppy’s age, she should be jumping no higher than
her ankle, knee, or chest height (consult with your veterinarian for
specifics.) Puppies sometimes get tangled in the hoop, so be
prepared to release it if you feel resistance. Use your hand opposite
your puppy to lure her energetically upward.

_ WHAT TO EXPECT: Puppies usually get the hang of hoop jumping

_ within a weeks or two and do it enthusiastically.

“| did good today!”

HOOP JUMP

Allow your puppy time to investigate the hoop, and

overcome her fears.

2 Use the hand that is closest to your puppy to hold. both Lure your puppy through the hoop with your other
the hoop and your clicker. hand. Click as she goes through the hoop.
 and allow her to have the treat.

“Il was playing

with my ball
but then it
got lost and
| can’t find it!”

4 Raise the hoop a little off the floor.

93
 intermediate

Hide Yourself
rs
VERBAL CUE
Go hide

In this
adorable
trick, your
puppy
learns to
jump inside a
box to “hide”
himself.
TEACH:
4 Show your puppy a treat, and toss it inside a box. Tilt the box up, so
your puppy can reach in and get the treat. TROUBLESHOOTING
2 Toss in another treat. Tilt the box up so your puppy can see the treat, _ | CAN'T LURE MY PUPPY INTO THE BOX.
but then lay it flat again. Allow your puppy time to experiment and- CAN | PICK HIM UP AND PUT HIM IN
decide what to do. If he loses interest, tilt the box up again, showing — THERE? eeSy
him the treat. A confident puppy will eventually put his front paws in Puppies ae Bevelny much Boke
the box in order to get the treat. Click your clicker when he does this, pomiiancs Uey ate leven ©
approach an item on their own terms,
and allow him to eat the. treat. :
rather than being forced into it. It
This time, instead of tossing the treat inside the box, say “go hide” may take longer to teach it this way,
and, holding the treat in your hand, use it to lure your puppyto step : but by encouraging— rather than
into the box. Stand opposite your puppy, with the box between you. : forcing— your puppy into the box,
Get your puppy’s interest by showing him the treat in front of his you are putting him on the path to
nose. Move the treat away from him and over the box. As soon as his becoming a more confident
_ front paws arein the box, click your clicker, and give him the treat. adult dog.
4 Continue
to lure your puppy farther into the box by positioning
another treat just out of his reach. As soon as all four paws make it
inside the box, click, and give him the treat. :

: WHAT 7© EXPECT: Your puppy’s success with this trick will depend a — TIP! Expose your puppy
to all sorts of ©
_ lot on the type of box you choose. A large, shallow box will be easiest to obstacles; boxes, teeter boards, slippery
_ start, and you can work your way up to smaller and higher boxes. Surfaces, water. This early exposure will
make hima more confident dog.

“I like to get in my box!

And then | like to jump
out of my box!”

Coordination 95
HIDE YOURSELF INABOX _

1 Tilt the box so your puppy can take the treat. 2 Let your puppy figure out how to put his front paws
inside the box. Click when he does.

3 Lure him into the box by moving a treat from his nose When he puts his paws in the box, click, and give him
toward the center of the box. the treat.

96
 Hold the treat just out of his reach.

“t chased him and then

| caught him and then
| swallowed him!”

When all four paws are in the box, click, and treat.

Coordination 97
 _) ~~ _ intermediate

Wipe Your

~ Your polite puppy

can learn to scratch
her front paws on
a doormat. Say
“lI can dig really big holes!”
good-bye to
muddy pawprints
on your floor!’
 TROUBLESHOOTING
MY PUPPY WON'T SCRATCH THE
DOORMAT |
Try another tactic: Toke a vores
ball or toy, and hide itinsand or
loose dirt. The second your puppy
scratches for it, click and treat. Once
she understands this cue, you can
transfer the behavior to the doormat.

Puppies can have some success with thietrick -

yeEventually your puppy will do this trick on cue, and you
| lide the treat any more. Instead, after a few scratches, toss
he treat on top of the doormat, So your puppy still has theexcitement of
inding her treasure.

1 ~Placea Geat under the doormat. 2 Click when your puppy does a 3 Lift the doormat to let her have the treat.
single scratch.

“Here’re things | don’t like:

. dogs that bark at me, bedtime,
‘4 Wait for her to do two or three when my owner leaves, high
scratches before you click. kitchen counters.”
 mavancea

Flying Disk,
i tid

VERBAL
CUE
Frisbee

“One time | caught

a bird right out of
the sky! Well, it was
a flying disk, but it
could’ve been a bird.”

Learning to catch a flying

disc will helo your puppy
build coordination and will
become a great way
to exercise your dog
throughout her life.

100 51 Puppy Tricks

TEACH IT:

| @ Hard plastic toy discs could injure your puppy’s mouth and teeth. 2 ee
Use only discs specifically designed for a dog, such as a soft plastic, _ TROUBLESHOOTING
. flexible rubber, or canvas disc. Introduce your puppy to this fun new MY PUPPY IS NOT INTERESTED IN
_ toy by tossing it playfully, playing keep away and tug with it. i THE DISC
@ Get your puppy's interest by spinning the upside-down disc in circles. | Increase Wie Neate OFT 1
turning it upside down and using it
@ When she shows interest, throw a “roller’—rolling the disc along its as your puppy's feeding dish. She
_ edge. Encourage your puppy excitedly to “Get it! Get it!” and praise \ will come to associate the sight and
her heavily when she does. smell of it with her dinner.
@® Teach your puppy to catch the disk in midair by throwing it in a low,
_ flat trajectory. Do not throw it directly at your puppy, as you don’t
_ want to hit her with it.

WHAT TO EXPECT: It could take months for your puppy to build the
coordination to master an airborne catch. Keep the game fun, and work in
short sessions. Puppies under fourteen months should not be jumping for
|the disc, and all puppies should be checked by a veterinarian to ensure
soundness.

‘4 Make the disc a fun toy for your puppy. 2 Spin the disc in circles.

3 Roll the disc along its side. ” 4 Toss the disc in the air for your puppy to catch.

Coord 101
 Chapter 4:

Communication

“Pay attention to me;

pay attention to me;
pay attention to me!”

102
 ¢ : ¢

Li ste Nn ia g to your puppy is just as important as talking

to your puppy. Show your puppy that she can depend on you to take
care of her by being responsive to her needs and wishes.

In this chapter are tricks that will Other tricks in this chapter teach your
enhance human-puppy puppy to play a game with you, such
communication. Some tricks teach as “Which Hand Holds the Treat?” And
your puppy appropriate ways to other tricks begin to teach your puppy
convey her wishes, such as by ringing basic house manners, such as “Sit
a bell on the doorknob when she before Chowtime.”
needs to go potty, or bringing her
leash when she wants a walk.

9
4 it

Care for your puppy by grooming her.

103
 easy
x

Ring a Bell to Go Outside _

VERBAL CUE
Bell

Your puppy rings a bell on

the door to let you know that
she needs to go outside. This
trick can be taught to young
puppies who are being
house-trained.

“| hafta go
potty now.”

104 | Puppy Tr
 TEACH
® Hane:abell from a doorknob at a low oe Dab a little peanut
butter on the inside of the bell and encourage your puppy to explore TROUBLESHOOTING
at bywiggling it.and saying “bell, get it!” The instant your puppy pres WHEN | CLICK MY PUPPY FOR LICKING
causes the bell to ring, “ os ea and ae hera oe from : \ THE PEANUT BUTTER, SHE DOESN'T
oe your hand. : = TAKE THE TREAT FROM MY HAND, BUT
e Don’t replenish the peanut butter, as there is probably a trace JUST KEEPS LICKING THE PEANUT
amou nt still on the bell. Point to the bell again, and click and treat BUTTER
The important thing is that you offer
V n your puppy tings it. Repeat this process several times. If
the treat. It is not critical that your
pu py seems confused, go back to using the peanut butter.
at puppy takes it. You can also try
Get your puppy’s leash and get her excited to go for a walk. Stop at using a really good treat, like steak,
the door with the bell, encouraging her to ring it. It may take a while, aa chicken, or cheese.
but as soon as she touches the bell, immediately open the door and
takeher outside. In this trick, the reward is access to the outdoors
} so be sure to introduce this concept early on.

HAT TO EXPECT: themore ce you are to the bells in the

eginning,
the quicker your puppy will learn this trick. Most puppies will
tart ringing the bell on their own within a week.

“I like to
make noise!” 4

8
]
Before a walk, have your puppy ring the bell to go outside.
'
 aavancea

VERBAL CUE
Get your leash

“Sometimes | get
scared of the
mean dog down
the street and |
run behind my
owner’s legs.”

Teach your
puppy to
fetch his leash
when it’s time
forawalk. ox
TEACH
TT:

You'll want to first teach your puppy how to fetch (page 134).
Introduce the word “leash” to your puppy by using it each time you TROUBLESHOOTING
put it on him. Fasten his leash together in a bundle with a rubber DO | HAVE TO TEACH “FETCH” BEFORE |
band and toss it playfully. Tell him to “fetch leash” and give him a TEACH THIS TRICK?
treat when he returns. If you haven't already taught your
2 Now put the leash in its regular spot, such as on a table by the door. oy Aaa it
- Point
int to
to iit
t anand encourage your Puppy to i “get your leash Vv nlayiully. AS soon As i Jour puppy put
@ Reward your puppy by immediately attaching his leash to his collar his mouth on it, click your clicker,
_ and taking him out for a walk. In this trick, the reward is a walk give him a treat, and then take him
instead of a treat, so be sure to introduce this concept early on. immediately for a walk.

WRAT TO EXPECT: Don’t be surprised if your puppy communicates

his wishes to you by dropping his leash in your lap! Try to reward his
politeness with a walk as often as possible.

TIP! The next time you are ready to go

for
awalk, get your puppy excited to go
out, and then have him get his leash _
| beloreleaving,

, 2 Put the leash in its regular spot. 3 Reward your puppy by attaching his leash
1 Toss the leash and have your
and taking him for a walk.
puppy “fetch.”

107
ae) 08 = . .
& intermediate

‘I think it’s”
time to eat
NEACH IT:

4 First, teach your puppy to fetch (page 134) and fetch to hand
(page 138). TROUBLESHOOTING
-@ Start your routine of preparing your puppy's dinner. . . go to the MY PUPPY WILL FETCH OTHER THINGS,
kitchen, get out the bag of dog food, etc. BUT NOT HIS FOOD DISH
The problem may be the specific food
3 Point to your puppy’s bowl and tell him to “fetch!” He will likely be dish. Puppies are reluctant to put
excited and spinning circles, and forget what he’s doing. Keep metal or porcelain in their mouths,
pointing to the bowl and encouraging him. so use a plastic bowl. Make sure
When he finally brings his bow! to you, praise him excitedly. the bowl has a lip, groove, or other
Immediately put his dinner or some treats in the bowl, lower it to feature that will allow your puppy to
the ground, and let him eat his reward. easily grasp it.

WHAT T© EXPECT: The challenge in teaching this trick will be in

the first time you train it. Once your puppy has one success, he will very
quickly make the association between bringing his bowl and getting
his dinner.
TIP! Puppies should be fed three
_ meals per day until they are about five =
months old. After that, theyneedtwo——™
meals per day. — (e

eS

3. At dinnertime, send your puppy to “fetch.”

4 Praise him when he returns with his bowl. . .

Communication 109
 easy

Sit before Chowtime

Chowtime, sit

“My owner says we

have manners in
this house.”

It’s never too early to start learning

manners. Teach your polite puppy to
sit before her dinner is served.
_TEACHIT:

=e Firstteach your puppytosit (page 38). When it is meal time, prepare { :

your puppy’s bowl and hold it out of her reach. Tell her to “chowtime, al TROUBLESHOOTING
Si Because she is a puppy, she will be so excited that she may MY PUPPY JUST WON'T SIT
temporarily have forgotten the meaning of the word! Give her several _ It’s not fair to ask your puppy to sit
chancesto sit, and help her by using the food bowl to lure her head ce before chowtime if she hasn't been
_ up and back, causing her rearto drop. If she does not sit, turn away \ taught to sit in the first place, so
and put the bowl out of her reach for a minute. i give some thought as to whether
that may be the problem. If she has
@ Try again a minute later. When your puppy does finally sit, even for a
been taught to sit, then try holding
second, mark that instant my saying “good” or clicking your clicker.
ae | the food bow! above her head and
3 Immediately put her bow! down as a reward for her politeness. moving toward her. This should cause
her rear to drop, especially if her
back is against a wall.
WHATTO EXPECT: Puppies as young as eight weeks are capable of
learning to sit before chowtime. This exercise helps build good manners
in your puppy. Don’t be too strict with your puppy, as the goal is not that
she do a perfect sit, but rather that she build a habit of asking politely for
her dinner rather than demanding it.

Pe se

2 Mark the instant your puppy sits. 3 Immediately give her the food.
1 If your puppy does not sit, put the
bowl away for a minute.

Communication 111
 intermediate

_ Leave It
VERBAL CUE
Leave it

“Once | found a
sandwich on the
table. | look there
all the time but
| haven’t found
another one yet.”

When you don’t want your

puppy to eat something—
or to even approach :
something— tell him to
“leave it.” This command
can apply to a doughnut,
your shoe, or your cat.

112
TEACH
IT:
4 Sit with your puppy and place a treat on the ground. In an
authoritative (but not loud) voice, tell him to “leave it.” Keep your TROUBLESHOOTING
hand ready to cover the treat if he goes for it. MY PUPPY NEVER STOPS GOING FOR
2 When he shows interest in the treat, tell him “no” and cover the treat eee
with your hand. Patience . . . if you block him enough
times from getting the treat, he will
Repeat this process until your puppy refrains from moving toward the eventually pause. Click that small
treat. At first, he may only refrain for a second or two before he pause and reward him! Timing is
changes his mind and goes for the treat. You want to reward your crucial; be sure to click while he is
puppy before he changes his mind. Study how long it takes him to paused, and not after he has moved
break, and reward him a second before he breaks. Click your clicker toward the treat.
and hand him a treat from your pocket.

WHAT TG EXPECT: Most puppies can learn this trick within a week.
Always reward your puppy with a treat from your hand, rather than a : ao
allowing him to take the treat from the floor, as allowing him to take the oe TIPE a cann alsoui
use eave it”to
2 a
treat from the floor would teach him to fixate on that item. You instead ie veut puppy from approaching yourshoe,
want him to ignore the item. your cat, or anything else he |is to el
= oa fom,

ae

2 When your puppy approaches the treat, cover it up.

“Youuuu can’t
catch meeeee!”

3 Click and reward your puppy when he refrains

from moving toward the treat.
113
 ie intermediate

Which Hand Holds the Treat?

VERBAL CUE
Which hand? 3

“This is my
best trick!”

fists, your PUPPY

sniffs each and
TEACH: lr
@ Hold a strong- smelling treat slightly exposed in one of your two
__ fists. Present your fists at your puppy'sS chest height and ask him TROUBLESHOOTING
oe “which hand?” | THINK MY PUPPY IS JUST GUESSING
@ When your puppy shows interest in the correct hand by nosing or Overly zealous puppies will be in such
__ pawing it, mark that instant by saying “good!” and open your hand to a hurry to get the treat that they paw
allow him to take the treat. at the first hand they see. Try holding
cpa Cisen Bie : your fists up above your puppy’s
“3 If your puppy shows interest in the wrong hand, tell him “whoops,” head so he can sniff them but not
ek open that hand to show him it is empty. Wait ten seconds before paw them. After he has sniffed both,
trying again so that there are neeae consequences to his incorrect tell him to “wait,” lower your hands,
choices. = and then ask “which hand?”
4 Once your puppy is consistently nosing your correct hand, try to get
him to paw at your correct hand instead. Keep your fists low to the
ground. When your puppy has indicated his choice with his nose, pull
_ your other hand back and ee him to paw at your correct hand
by saying “get it!”

WHAT ¥© EXPECT: This trick is usually a favorite, as it involves two of

ur puppy’s favorite things: using his nose and getting treats!

2 When your puppy shows interest in 3 If your puppy chooses the wrong 4 See if you can get your puppy to indicate
hand, say “whoops!” his choice with his paw.
the correct hand, say “good” and
open your hand.

115
 GCM Yormuoew

VERBAL CUE
Find it

In the classic game, a ball is

placed beneath one of three
pails, or shells. The shells are
quickly shuffled, and your
ouppy shows you which
one is hiding the ball.

“My owner said she

should have named
me Trouble, but |
like Jadie better.”
TEACH IT:

‘4 You'll need three identical flower pots for this trick. The
pots should have a hole at the base, which will allow your TROUBLESHOOTING
puppy to smell the treat hidden under it. Heavy clay flower MY PUPPY IS NOT INTERESTED IN
pots will work best because they won’t overturn easily SNIFFING THE FLOWER POT
‘when your puppy sniffs them. Start with just one flower Your puppy may not be smelling the
pot and rub the inside with an aromatic treat (such as scent of the treat. To make sure he
hot dog, steak, or chicken) to give it lots of scent. Let smells the treat, take an aromatic
your puppy watch as you-place a treat on the floor and treat (such as a piece of a hot dog)
cover it with the pot. and use duct tape to fasten it to the
inside of the pot, right up against the
g Encourage him to “find it!” When he noses or paws the pot, click your
hole in the base.
Clicker and lift the pot to reward him with the treat.
“3 After your puppy catches on, which shouldn’t take long, hold the pot
in place and keep encouraging him until he paws at it. Tap his wrist
or cue “shake” (page 60) to give him the idea to use his paw.
Reward any paw contact by clicking and lifting the pot.
4 Add two more pots (mark the scented one so you don’t forget which TIP! Practice success, ignore the et.
one it is!) In a soft voice, tell your puppy to “find it!” _ Avoid telling your puppy “no” if he ore
chooses incorrectly. Coe
5 Hold the pots in place while your puppy sniffs them so he doesn’t
knock them over in his exuberance. Use the pitch of your voice to
calm your puppy as he diligently sniffs each pot, and to excite him
when he shows interest in the correct one. If your puppy loses
interest, quickly lift and set back down the correct pot to show him
the treat.
> If your puppy paws at an incorrect pot, do not lift it; instead say
“whoops” and encourage him to keep looking.
7 When your puppy indicates the correct pot, click and lift the pot so
he can get his reward!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Be encouraging with your puppy and avoid saying

“no” when he indicates a wrong pot. Only practice a few times per session
and end with a successful attempt, even if you have to go back to using
just one pot to get that success.

“Is it chowtime?
Did you call me?
Wait for me!”

Communication 117
_SHELLGAME

iia.

1 Hide a treat under a scented pot.

2 When your puppy noses the pot, click your clicker. . . and lift the pot.

3 Hold the pot in place and don’t click until your puppy 4 Add two more pots.
paws it.

118
5 Hold the pots in place while your puppy sniffs 6 If your puppy indicates an incorrect pot, do not lift it.
each one. Encourage him to keep looking.

7 When your puppy indicates the correct pot, click... and lift the pot so he can take the treat.

“I know where
you’re hiding!”

119
 easy

Findthe Hidden Veggie

\

Find it

Hide veggies,
treats, or kibble
around your
house, and teach
your puppy to
seek out as many
as she can. This
trick will teach
your puppy to
use her nose,
and will keep her
occupied for a
few minutes!
 ter TROUBLESHOOTING
Ippy's nose a0 tellner“scent” — oe | MY PUPPY GIVES UP TOO QUICKLY—
sale Tossthe he a short The object is not to outwit your —
puppy, but to make her successful.
_ Progress slowly so your puppy builds.
confidence in her ability. Over time,
she will enjoy greater challenges.
Strong-smelling treats will alsobe
easier to find. —

“4 Toss a treat and have your puppy “find it!”

Hide several treats around the room. See how many your puppy can find!
3
Communication 121
 easy

Close
the Door
VERBAL CUE
Close

Teach your puppy to push a door shut.

This skill also works to close a drawer,
cabinet, or toy box lid. —

——
=

“1 slam doors all the

time. | like to help.”
“TEACHIT:
® Before you start, you may wish to tape some cardboard on your door,
as during the learning stage puppies will often scratch at the door.
Open the door a few inches (cm) and hold a treat against the door at
your puppy’s nose height. Encourage him to “close, get it!” When he
shows interest in the treat, raise the treat a little higher against the
door, just out of his reach. In an attempt to get the treat your puppy
will probably put his front paws up on the door to lift himself higher.
This will result in his slamming the door closed. Click your clicker the
instant he puts one or both paws against the door.
Let your puppy have the treat you were holding against the door. It is
best to give him the treat while he still has his paws against the door
rather than after he has dropped back to the floor. TIP! Use this same skill to teach -
your puppy to close a drawer or
Once your puppy has the hang of this, try merely tapping the door to
kitchen cabinet.
get him to push on it. Click and reward him for pushing the door
closed. Finally, send your puppy to “close” the door from a distance.
Don’t be surprised if he slams it shut in his eagerness!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Most puppies will enjoy slamming a door shut,

and can learn this trick in a week.

2 Give him a treat while he is in 3 Now tr it without the food lure.

Hold a treat against the door and raise it
just out of your puppy’s reach. Click when the correct position.
he puts his paws on the door.

4109
_Turn On a Tap Lights

Teach your puppy to

press a tap light on the
floor to turn It on. We
use a generic cue of
“target” for this trick,
as we can later adapt
this skill for other
applications.

“Light on. Light off.

Light on. Light off.
Light on. Light off.”
TEACH:

“4 Placea large tap light on the floor. During the learning phase it is
helpful to tape it down so it doesn’t move. TROUBLESHOOTING
‘2 Let your puppy know that you have treats in your treat bag so that | CAN'T LURE MY PUPPY TO
you have his interest. Hold your clicker ready in your hand, and tap ACCIDENTALLY STEP ON THE LIGHT
the light to get your puppy's attention on it. Try this: Instead of affixing the light
ee f See to the floor, affix it instead to a small
3 Your puppy will probably sniff the button and touch it with his nose. wooden crate. Then lure your puppy
You don’t want to reward the nose sniff, because the behavior we are to put his front paws onto the box.
trying to teach is a paw touch. But you do want to encourage your He will have a smaller space to put
puppy to continue to interact with the tap light. So when he sniffs it, his paws, and will therefore be more
~ encourage him by saying “good! get it! keep going!” and tap the likely to accidentally step on the light.
Verh ene. MY PUPPY IS NOT PRESSING THE LIGHT
‘@ Out of frustration, your puppy will probably eventually scratch at the HARD ENOUGH TO TURN IT ON
light. Be ready with your clicker and click the instant his paw even In the beginning, reward him just for
barely touches the light. touching the light with his paw. Once
he understands this well, withhold the
5S Immediately give a treat to your puppy. Optimally, you want to give treat and keep telling him “target!”
the treat while he is in the correct position—with his paw on the light. He will probably become frustrated
*6 If your puppy never scratches at the light, there is another method and hit the light harder—reward that!
you can try. Use a food treat to lure him forward and try to get him
to accidentally step on the light, or even just barely touch it with
his paw.
‘7 The instant he touches the light with his paw, click your clicker and
also release the treat in your hand—at the same time.
‘8 Once your puppy starts to understand this trick, stand up and move
a little away from the light, and send him to turn it on with the cue TIP! During the learning phase, remove
word “target!” the batteries from the tap light, as
the light can be an inadvertent reward

WHAT TO EXPECT: This is a fun trick for puppies once they get the marker signal to your puppy. It is better
for you to control the reward marker with
hang of it. If you are very accurate with the timing of your clicker, your Se
puppy can get the hang of this trick in a few days.

“Once I stepped on
a bug but then he
stopped moving.”

125
__TURN ON A TAP LIGHT

1 Affix a large tap light to the floor. 2 Touch it to get your puppy’s interest.

3 Don’t reward a nose touch, but do encourage your puppy 4 Your puppy will eventually scratch at the light.
to keep interacting with the light. Click that!

5 Reward your puppy. If possible, reward while his paw is

on the light. }

126 574 Put OY Tricke

6 Lure your puppy to accidentally step on the light. 7 Click and release the treat at the same time.

“| throwed up.”

8 Stand up and cue your puppy with “target.”

127
“Can | eat
them now?”
 , C ||C ke rs can mark a behavior very precisely, and are
therefore used hand-in-hand with a training technique called shaping.
With shaping, we break a behavior into baby steps, and we start by
_ rewarding the most basic component of the trick. Once the puppy is
_ repeatedly successful, we up the ante and only reward an attempt that
comes closer to the goal.

_ Shaping is an especially effective In using shaping to teach a puppy to

technique to use with puppies. Puppies fetch, for example, the first baby step
have short attention spans and a hard could be to have the puppy merely
time focusing. They move very quickly, touch a ball by your feet. Reward that
and become frustrated or distracted simple behavior over and over (marking
quicker than adult dogs. Shaping it precisely with a clicker each time).
allows you to reward your puppy for Once your puppy gets the hang of this,
just the smallest baby step toward the then require a little more of her; ask
goal behavior. In this way, your DUPpy her to pick up the ball. Gradually place
experiences a lot of successes—and a the ball farther away, until your puppy
lot of treats—which maintain her focus learns to fetch it from across the room!
and motivation to keep trying.

129
 intermediate

soccer
VERBAL CUE
Soccer

“But | want to play with

it jn the house.”

agi

Sports fans are sure to get a kick out ,

of your superstar puppy rolling a
soccer ball.

130 51. Puppy Tacks

 TEACH IT:

‘4 Familiarize yourself with the shaping method of training (page 128).

Have your clicker ready in your hand, and some treats in your treat : TROUBLESHOOTING
bag. Place a soccer ball in an empty room. Your puppy will probably MY PUPPY BITES THE BALL
come overto investigate this new object, but if not, roll it a little and During the learning phase you want
encourage her by saying “soccer! Get it!” to avoid saying “no” to your puppy,
’ The instant your puppy touches the ball, click your clicker and follow as Hat could eto: pe eg
up immediately with a treat. BYE Hen EES NEVE! CHOU:
your puppy is biting; wait for her to
If your puppy does not.touch the ball, show her a treat and place it move the ball without biting. You
under the ball. When your puppy reaches for the treat, she will could also try using a large, hard
inadvertently touch the ball—click that! There is no need to give her a plastic ball, which your puppy will be
treat from your pocket, as she should have gotten the treat under the unable to bite. You can find these
ball at the same time you clicked. balls as part of a toy bowling set.
4 Once your puppy understands to touch the soccer ball, it is time to
up the ante and ask more from her. Wait for your puppy to interact
with the ball for a few seconds before you click and treat. This is
where your shaping skills will really come into play. Your puppy will
probably touch the ball once, and look at you, expecting a click.
When she doesn’t hear the click, she'll try again and push the ball Ce :
harder with her nose, or push it with her paw—click either of those TIP! When your puppy is successful
actions and follow with a treat. If your puppy gets frustrated, g0 back 75 percent of the time, up the ante and —
to rewarding her for just touching the ball. fee more of her.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Teaching the soccer trick is a great way for both
you and your puppy to learn the art of shaping. Practice daily and in a
- week your puppy can be on her way to the World Cup!

“No! | won't,
| won’t, | won't!
SOCCER

4 Your puppy will want to investigate this new object.

2 Click the instant she touches the ball.

Follow up with a treat. ae 3 Place a treat under the ball. Click when your puppy touches
the ball while reaching for the treat.

132 51 Puppy Tricks

“I like to chase my
ball because it runs
away from me!”

enavior 133
er See intermediate

“| find all A/nds of stuff

to bring to my owner.”

Teach your puppy to fetch

an object. This important
trick is not only useful, but
it conditions your puppy to
work for you.
TEACH
TT:

net RETRIEVERS
_ Puppies have natural retrieving instincts, so we can take advantage TROUBLESHOOTING
of this inclination. Start with a high-value toy (a favorite toy) that your MY PUPPY GETS THE TOY AND RUNS
puppy enjoys putting in his mouth. OFF WITH IT
Never chase your puppy when he is
‘2 Get your puppy interested in the toy by playing with it. Then toss the
playing keep-away. Lure him back
toy a short distance away and say “fetch!”
with a treat, or run away from him to
3 Once your puppy picks up the toy, encourage him to bring it back to encourage him to chase you. Have a
you by patting your legs, calling to him, acting excited, or backing second toy to get his attention.
away from him. | CAN’T GET MY PUPPY TO EVEN PICK
4 When he brings the toy to you, take the toy, give him a treat, and UP THE TOY
then give the toy right back to him. It is important that your puppy Start by clicking and rewarding your
knows he will not lose his toy by bringing it to you, or he may become puppy for just touching or sniffing the
reluctant to bring it to you! toy. If he doesn’t even do that, start
by clicking him for putting his head
down toward the toy. Start small, and
eal! RETRIEVERS up the ante as your puppy gets the
With very young puppies, or dog breeds that have not been bred as hang of each step.
retrievers, you may not be successful with the first method of
teaching fetch. In this case we can use the more incremental method
of shaping (page 128). Be ready with your clicker in your hand. Play
with your puppy’s favorite plush toy, moving it around, and tossing it
in the air. The instant your puppy puts his mouth on the toy, click
your clicker, and quickly follow up with a treat.
» Once your puppy is successful biting the toy, up the ante and require
more of your puppy to get the click. Toss the toy playfully on the Yi®! If at any point your puppy is -
ground, and click him for biting it. The next time, up the ante again repeatedly unsuccessful, return to the
and don’t click until he picks up the toy and turns his head toward previous step.
you. As always, each click is followed by a treat.
- Once your puppy is successful at the short fetch, toss the toy farther
and say “fetch!”. Click your clicker when your puppy returns with the
toy and give him a treat.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Most puppies enjoy carrying things in their “Yay! A car ride!
mouths, and will understand the basics of fetch within a week. Puppies Yay-yay-yay-yay!” |
are easily distracted, so don’t increase distance too quickly.

avior 135
BEGINNING FETCH

NATURAL RETRIEVERS

4 Play with a toy your puppy likes. ‘2 Once he seems interested in the toy, toss it playfully.

3 Encourage your puppy to bring it back to you. A Give him a treat, and also let him have his toy again.

136 51 Puppy Tricks

 RELUCTANT RETRIEVERS

6 Up the ante and toss the to the ground. Click your Up the ante again and wait for him to pick up the toy and
puppy for biting it. turn toward you. Click that.

7 Toss the toy farther away. Click when your puppy returns with the toy.

Shape Behavior 137

 advanced

Fetch the Newspaper to Hand

VERBAL CUE
Fetch

Once your puppy has learned

beginning fetch, increase
the difficulty by teaching
her to deliver the item
into your hand.
Teach her to
fetch the daily
newspaper.

“This is an
important job
and | have to do
it every day.”

138 51 Puppy Tricks

TEACH IT:

‘1 First, teach your puppy beginning fetch (page 134). Train indoors :
to start, as there will be fewer distractions for your puppy. Secure a TROUBLESHOOTING
section of the newspaper with a rubber band and toss it playfully for MY PUPPY SHREDS THE NEWSPAPER!
your puppy. Tell her to “fetch! Get the paper!” Once she picks up the \ You'll want to nip this in the bud.
paper, pat your legs to encourage her to come back to you. Toys are for chewing on, but the
2 Once your puppy is consistently fetching the newspaper, you can Nev eyayer belongs to you, and
begin to teach her to deliver the paper directly into your hand. In pe Cee eine
phase, wrap the folded newspaper in
order to teach her this, you have to arrange for her to be successful,
packing tape, so your puppy builds
and then reward her for that success. You have to create a situation
a habit of fetching it, rather than
where she actually delivers the newspaper into your hand, without
destroying it.
dropping it. This is going to take some quick action on your part. As
your puppy returns to you with the newspaper, keep your left foot
planted and take a big step backward with your right foot. This will
draw your puppy in closer to you.
When your puppy is close enough, keep your left foot planted and
lunge forward with your right foot. Try to catch the newspaper before
it hits the floor.
If you manage to catch the newspaper, praise your puppy profusely,
and give her a big treat!
If you aren’t able to catch the newspaper before it falls to the floor,
you'll want to try to get your puppy to pick it up again. You are
teaching your puppy that her job is not done yet. Hold a treat in your
hand to motivate your puppy, and point to the newspaper and
encourage her to “fetch!” If she doesn’t get the hint, wiggle the
newspaper a bit to get her interest.
‘6 Only reward your puppy if you take the newspaper from her mouth. If
you absolutely can’t get your puppy to pick up the newspaper again,
then walk away without picking up the newspaper, and try again later.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Puppies have a habit of dropping items after they “I have a pink collar aod I like
lose interest. Be consistent in teaching your puppy to fetch the newspaper it. Sometimes ee t want to
all the way to your hand. Once a puppy has learned to fetch, she can wear it though.
learn to fetch to hand in another week. Teach your puppy to fetch the idl
daily newspaper to your hand by first standing in your driveway, very close
to the newspaper, and having her bring it toyou, Gradually stand closer
and closer to your front door, increasing the distance of the fetch.

Shape Benavict 139

FETCH THE NEWSPAPER TO HAND

4 Secure the newspaper with a rubber band. Toss it playfully

and tell your puppy to “fetch! Get the paper!”

2 Keep your left foot planted; step back with your 3 Keep your left foot planted; lunge forward with your
right foot. right foot and catch the newspaper.

4 Celebrate your puppy's success and give her a

big treat!

140 51 Puppy Tricks

 If the paper falls to the floor. . . try to get your puppy to pick it up from the floor.

6 Take the paper from your puppy’s mouth. Reward your puppy only if you take the newspaper
from her mouth.

141
 advanced

Open the Door

VERBAL CUE
Open

Tie a rope or dish towel to

the door handle, and teach
your puppy to pull it open!

“This is where we
keep the dog
biscuits!”
_TEACH IT:

4 Familiarize yourself with the shaping method of training (page 128).

Tie a treat inside a dish towel to entice your puppy, and wiggle it on
the floor. When your puppy puts his mouth on the towel, click your
clicker and then give him a treat.
2 Next, try to get your puppy to hold on to the towel for a second. Once
he has bitten the towel, continue to wiggle it and pull it a little to
engage his prey drive. Whenever he holds on to the towel for two
seconds, click and give him a treat.
- Tie the dish towel on the door handle. It might help to again tie a
treat inside the towel. Wiggle the towel and click your puppy for any
interaction with the towel, even if it is only touching the towel with his
nose while sniffing for the treat.
4% Up the ante and wait for your puppy to bite the towel before clicking
and treating.
~ Once your puppy is successfully biting the towel, hold off on clicking
until he pulls the towel a little. Don’t ask for much; click just the _
slightest tug at first.
» As your puppy shows consistent success with each step, you can ask —
a little more of him. In its final stage, upon your “open” cue your
puppy should pull hard enough on the towel to open the door. —

WHAT TO EXPECT: This trick is a little more difficult to teach than

it may at first appear. Your skill as a trainer will be challenged as you
work through the process of teaching this trick. The most important thing —
to remember is that you want your puppy to have as many successes
(clicks) as possible, so raise your criteria for success in very slow and
small increments. You will probably want your puppy to have ten to thirty
“I like to open
successes on each step before you progress to the next step.
doors myself so my
owner doesn’t have
to help me.”
OPEN THE DOOR

4 Tie a treat inside a dish towel. Wiggle the dish towel to get your puppy’s interest. Click
when your puppy bites it, and give him a treat.

2 Tug on the towel a little to get your puppy to hold on to 3 Click your puppy for sniffing the treat tied inside the
it longer. After two seconds of holding, click and treat. dish towel.

R14 Diinny Triclee

144 1 PUPPY ITICKS
 Up the ante and... wait until your puppy bites the towel before clicking.
Follow each click with a treat.

5 Now see if your puppy can do a slight tug. 6 Eventually your puppy will be able to pull hard enough to
open the door.

Shape Behavior 145

advanced

: VERBAL CUE
a Cover
HAND SIGNAL

In this adorable trick,

your puppy hides his
eyes by hooking his
paw over his muzzle.
TEACH
IT:
During the learning phase your puppy will only touch his muzzle with
his paw for a quick instant. Your success in teaching this this trick TROUBLESHOOTING
will rely heavily on your precise timing with your clicker. Take a piece MY PUPPY SHAKES HIS HEAD INSTEAD
of tape and stick it on your puppy's head or muzzle. Cellophane tape OF PAWING AT THE TAPE
doesn’t generally have enough adhesive to stick to your puppy for Use a stronger adhesive tape so your
long, so you may want to try a more adhesive tape. If your puppy puppy can’t merely shake it off. Try
has long fur, stick the tape on your pants a few times to lessen its sticking the tape in different places:
adhesion. above or below his eye or on top of
his head.
2 Encourage your puppyto “cover, get it!” The tape will be annoying to
him, and he will naturally swipe at his face with his paw. Be ready MY PUPPY JUST SITS THERE WITH THE
with your clicker and click the instant his paw touches his face. TAPE STUCK TO HIS NOSE!
Encourage your puppy to attack the
‘3 Follow up your click very quickly with a treat. If the swipe at his head tape, as he would a bug on his nose.
did not dislodge the tape, then your puppy will continue to be Touch the tape to make him aware of
distracted by it. He therefore may not even realize that you are it and use your voice to excite him,
offering him a treat. So as soon as you click, put that treat right into “Get it! Get it!”
his mouth. Keep sessions short, and only do five to ten repetitions of
it at a time. Once your puppy has done about 100 total repetitions,
go on to the next step.
After doing several repetitions in a row with the tape, try one without
the tape. Just tap the spot on your puppy’s head where you normally
stick the tape, and again say “cover!”
TIP! Take your puppy on a trip or
‘5 If your puppy actually does swipe at his face, then click and treat. If errand. It will be good for his social skills
not, regress to using the tape again: It is often the case that the and he’ll enjoy the change of scenery.
trainer will have to go back and forth many times between tapping
the puppy’s head, and then regressing to using the tape again.
“6 Eventually you will not need to use the tape or even tap your puppy's
head. Simply giving the verbal cue and hand signal will be enough to
get him to cover his eyes with his paw.

WHAT TO EXPECT: This method of training is so natural that your

puppy should be swiping the tape right away. After about a month, or 200
repetitions, your puppy should have the hang of an eye cover with the aid
of the tape. It could take a lot longer, however, until he has it mastered
without that aid.

s trick is hard
‘cause sometimes |
fall over.”

aoe Behavior
Og) 2 147
HIDE YOUR EYES

1 Stick a piece of tape to your puppy’s head or muzzle. 2 Click the instant your puppy’s paw touches his face.

3 Follow the click by putting a treat in your puppy's mouth.

148 51 Puppy Tricks

4 Tap the spot on your puppy’s head where you normally 5 Often the trainer will have to alternate between tapping
stick the tape, and cue “cover!” the puppy’s head and using the tape.

“Why are you

laughing at me!” 4

6 Give the hand signal and tell you puppy to “cover!”

149
 advanced

_ Skateboard |
VERBAL CUE
Skateboard

Your puppy can learn to push a

skateboard by placing three paws on
the skateboard and pushing with her
remaining back paw.

“I like to get on top of things.”

57 Pur OY Trick
150
TEACH IT:

4 Familiarize yourself with the shaping method of training (page 128).

Hold the skateboard in place with your foot, and lure your puppy to TROUBLESHOOTING
put her front paws up on top (page 48). The moment both of her MY PUPPY SOMETIMES STEPS ON THE
paws are on the skateboard, click, and let her have the treat. END OF THE SKATEBOARD, MAKING IT
“2 Now teach your puppy to put a third paw on the skateboard. Keep FLIP UP : :
your foot on the skateboard to keep it from moving. Hold your clicker Hf this Js scaring yeu puppy, you cap
attach foam blocks to the underside
and a treat in one hand, and hold this hand near your puppy's nose
of either end of the skateboard,
to keep her head and front paws in place. Move your body to the
preventing it from flipping up. If
sideofthe skateboard where your puppy has her back feet. Tap her
your puppy is not scared, however,
rear leg which is closes to the skateboard to give her the idea to
do not make an adjustment to the
move her leg onto the skateboard. When she does, click and let her skateboard, but instead allow your
have the treat from your front hand. puppy the time and experimentation
3 Once your puppy understands the goal of having three paws on the to figure out on her own how to
skateboard, it’s time to get it rolling. Attach a leash around the front — balance on the skateboard.
wheels. Have your puppy put three paws on the skateboard, and
keep her attention by holding a treat slightly. ahead of her. Pull very
slowly on the leash. The instant her fourth paw leaves the ground,
click and give her a treat. Continue pulling, clicking, and treating. You
should be clicking every couple of seconds, corresponding with every
time her fourth paw leaves the ground. Remember to give a treat after So Cee = 5;
every Click. TIP! Teach skateboard on a smooth
‘4 Remove the leash and walk backward. Cue “skateboard” while surface. Cracks in the concrete or
cS irregularities in an asphalt parking lot will
PeGMe
‘ing Your
you! PUPPY to . push push thethe skate
skateboard toward you
you. stall the skateboard.
Bees ;

Whey (© EXPECT: Puppies can leam the objective of three paws on

the skateboard in a matter of days. The coordination of pushing with their
fourth paw may take an additional several weeks or even several months.
Bulldogs and Parson Russell breeds seem to love this trick best!

“Do you know what meatballs are?

They’re really, really, really good!”

151
SKATEBOARD

1 Hold the skateboard with your foot and lure your puppy to The moment both of her paws come onto the skateboard,
put her front paws on top. click and give her the treat.

2 Keep a treat at nose height, and click when your 3 Attach a leash to the skateboard and reward your
puppy's third paw comes on the skateboard. puppy for lifting her fourth paw,

152
Remove the leash and coax your puppy toward you.

“Faster! Faster!”
“I can do it
by myself!”
 | PhO ;
mea \
ie Bygy
Lit
: n k.. Sentioe tricks foe to produce one really.
:j impressive chained trick! When teaching a chained trick, first teach each
::component of the trick as separate behavior. Later, have your puppy
- perform the behaviors iin sequence, a7 then give a name to the
3 entire sequence.

|Dunking a basketball into a net Bon Once the puppy is able to do each of
:: ‘example ofa chained trick. It ee the behaviors individually, then practice
three simple behaviors: 2 them in sequence. A new cue word,
“dunk,” is introduced to represent the
"Fetch the ball entire chain, so that the puppy comes
__¢ Put paws up on the rim to think of the entire chain as one trick.
o _¢ Drop the ball through the net

Fetch Paws up Drop it

155
 advanced

TidyUp Toys into Toy Box

VERBAL CUE
Tidy up

“My owner rile.

says this is
her favorite trick.”

Your puppy opens his toy box lid, puts his

toys inside, and closes the lid. Add this trick
to your puppy’s daily chores, and you'll be
the envy of the neighborhood!

156 51 Puppy Tricks

‘TEACHIT:
PUT AWAY THE TOY
‘4 Hold a treat in one hand, and your clicker in the other. Toss a plush
_ toy and instruct your puppy to fetch (page 134).
2 When your puppy returns with the toy, hold the treat a few inches
_ (cm) above the open toy box, near the edge farthest from your
puppy. When he opens his mouth for the treat, the toy should fall
right in. The instant this happens, click and let him have the treat!
3 In the beginning, if your puppy's toy drops near the toy box but not
quite inside, let him have the treat but don’t click your clicker. As he
improves, only click and treat when the toy falls inside the toy box.

OPEN THE LID

‘@ Attach a thick, knotted rope to the toy box lid on the edge nearest
the opening. Wedge a toy under the lid so that stays partially open.
Set your puppy behind the toy box and wiggle the rope. When your
puppy sniffs or bites or touches the rope, click and give him a treat.
If your puppy is not interested in the rope, try rubbing some hot dog
scent on it.

5 After your puppy understands that he needs to touch the rope to get
a Click, ask a little more of him. This time, don’t click when he
touches the rope. He will probably touch it a second time. Then he
may become frustrated and bite the rope—click that!
» Next, try to get your puppy to pull slightly on to the rope. Encourage
him by saying “open! Get it! Get it!” Click and treat him for the
slightest pull. TROUBLESHOOTING
+ Finally, remove the toy wedged under the lid so your puppy can pull MY PUPPY IS SOMETIMES CONFUSED
the lid open all by himself! AND TAKES TOYS OUT OF THE BOX!
Your puppy is eager to please!
“Whoops!” will aiert your puppy that
CLOSE THE LID a mistake has been made.
‘8 We don’t use a clicker for this one, as both of your hands will be MY PUPPY WANTS TO PLAY WITH THE
occupied, and the bang of the closing lid will serve as the success TOY, AND NOT DROP IT
indicator. Kneel down and hold the lid partially open with one hand Use less desirable toys.
and use a treat in your other hand to lure your puppy to step on the
lid. Tell your puppy “close.”
9 When he steps on the lid, allow it to fall closed and let him take the
treat from your hand. He should still have his front paws on the lid
when he receives his reward. If the bang of the lid startles him, you
can lay a dish towel across the rim of the toy box to muffle the slam. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER! Familiarize
yourself with the process of chaining
40 Gradually start with the lid farther and farther open, until your puppy behaviors (page 154). First teach each
figures out that the behavior you want is merely slamming the lid, of the components, and then teach the
and not necessarily stepping on It. chain by first cueing “tidy up” and then
cueing each of the components: “open,”
WHAT TO EXPECT: If your puppy already knows how to fetch, he can “fetch,” “close.”
learn to drop the toy into the toy box within two or three weeks. Many
puppies can learn to close the lid in a week, but opening the lid often
takes longer to learn.

157
TIDY UPTOYSINTOTOYBOX

PUT AWAY THE TOY

1 Toss a plush toy and have your 2 Hold a treat above the back edge of Click the moment your puppy opens
puppy fetch. the toy box. his mouth.

Let your puppy have the treat. 3 In the beginning, reward if the toy
drops near the toy box.

OPEN THE LID

4 Click your puppy for sniffing or 5 Now wait until your puppy bites the ©6 Then challenge your puppy to pull on
touching the rope. rope before you click. the rope. Click and treat.
 ‘7 Remove the toy wedged under the lid. Have your puppy open it all by Click and reward your puppy for pulling
i himself! it open.

CLOSE THE LID

8 Hold the lid partially open and lure This should cause him to step on 9 Reward him while his paws are on
your puppy up. the lid. the lid.

10 Increase difficulty by starting with the Have your puppy slam it shut.
lid fully open.
advanced

VERBAL CUE
Trash

“Il check the trash can

all the time to see
if there is anything
good in there”
TEACH IT:

DROP THE TRASH IN THE CAN

4 Hold a treat in one hand and your clicker in the other. Toss a plush PUT if ALL TOGETHER! Familiarize
toy and instruct your puppy to fetch (page 134). yourself with the process of chaining
behaviors (page 154). Teach each

@ _ Open
When your puppy returns with the toy, use your clicker hand to hold
the step can lid. With your other hand, hold your treat against
__ component separately, and then teach
ae ‘your puppy to chain themue
_the step can lid. When she opens her mouth for the treat, the toy
should fall right in the can. The instant she drops the toy, click and 4 Hold the lidhalf way open, toss oe
let her have the treat! In the beginning, if your puppy's toy drops near toy, and.cue your puppy “trash. nS
the step can, but not quite inside, let her have the treat but don’t She will probably slide the toyunder =
_ Click your clicker. As she improves, you can challenge her by requiring ~ the lid, and into the can. Click and
_ the toy to make it inside the step can. You can help her by using your : reward that. :
= finger to ay coax the toy into the step can.
“Then hold the lid slightly nmore :
closed and cue your puppy to fetch
SI on THE FOOT PEDAL : another toy. Your puppy may have |
8 if your puppy already knows how to turn on a tap light (page 124) some trouble this time, and may
you can temporarily affix the tap light onto the foot pedal to give : - drop thetoy on top of the. lid.Once
____ her the idea to step on it. Otherwise, use a treat to lure your puppy _she has dropped the toy inthe
forward so that she accidentally steps on the pedal. It can help to : ‘vicinity of the step can, cue her to
step on the foot pedal with “target.”
modify the foot pedal to make it larger.
“When she does step onthe foot =
“@& Whenever your puppy accidently steps on the foot pedal, or even “pedal
and open the lid, hold the lid
touches it, click and give her a treat. If possible, try to keep your treat open and cue her again to fetch the
_ Steady so she remains on the foot pedal as she eats the treat. ~ toy and drop it in the can. Click and
& ‘As she improves, your puppy will learn to deliberately step on the foot treat only once the toy made itinto=.:-
_ pedal, and you should no longer need to lure her with a treat. Tell her the can.
“target” and when she steps on the pedal, click and treat. You want yourpuppy to
oe
‘successful as many times as
WHAT 7O EXPECT: This trick is actually not as hard to teach as you possible, so this often means
“might think. Puppies seem to enjoy stepping on the foot pedal, and catch cheatinga little to help your puppy.
on to the concept in a few days. If you work at this trick several times a If your puppy holds the toy near the
week, it will likely take a month before your puppy can do this on her own. trash can, go ahead and use your —
finger to help it in. Then click and
reward. If your puppy steps on the
foot pedal, but then steps off of it,
go ahead and hold the lid open a
little so that she can get her toy in.

TROUBLESHOOTING
WHAT TYPE OF STEP CAN SHOULD | USE?
Use a step can with a flat lid, with no lip on it (as in the
photo) so your puppy can use her nose to open it. A step
can with a slow-closing lid will be helpful during the
learning process.
LITTER IN THE STEP CAN

DROP THE TRASH IN THE CAN

1. Have your puppy fetch a plush toy. 2 Hold the lid open with your clicker Click when she opens her mouth.
hand. Hold a treat near the lid.

STEP ON THE FOOT PEDAL

3 Lure your puppy near the foot pedal 4 When your puppy accidentally touches Follow each click with a treat.
with a treat. the pedal, click.

5 As she improves, she will learn to Reward while she has her paw on
deliberately step on the pedal. the pedal.

162 51 Puppy Tricks

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
In this useful trick, your
puppy opens the refrigerator
door, fetches a soda, and
returns to close the door.
_TEACH IT:
GET THE SODA
Before you begin teaching this step, teach your puppy to fetch (page
134) and fetch to hand (page 138). Select a small, empty soda
bottle that will be easy for your puppy to hold in his mouth. A foam
can insulator may help him get a better grip on the bottle. Toss the
bottle on the floor a few times for your puppy to fetch, to get him
accustomed to carrying it.
* Place the soda bottle on a low shelf in an open, uncluttered
refrigerator and have your puppy fetch it from there.

OPEN THE REFRIGERATOR

3 Before you begin teaching this step, teach your puppy to open a
door (page 142). Tie a dish towel to your refrigerator handle. Open
the fridge door slightly as your puppy may not be strong enough and
heavy enough to pull open the fridge’s seal. Have your puppy pull the
dish towel by cueing “open.” Reward him for this step.

CLOSE THE REFRIGERATOR

Before you begin teaching this step, teach your puppy to close a
door (page 122). Start with the refrigerator door only slightly open.
Tap on the door at a height above your puppy’s head, and cue him to
“close.” Reward him for this step.

WEHAT 7© EXPECT: Once your puppy is comfortable with all three

steps, start to phase out the individual commands and use “soda” to
represent the entire series. Now that your puppy knows the secret of the
refrigerator, however, you may have to install a padlock!

“Here’s
what’s fun:
running
with toilet
paper”
SODA FROM THE FRIDGE

GET THE SODA

1 Toss an empty soda bottle. Have your puppy fetch it to hand.

2 Place the bottle in the open refrigerator. 2 ic Have your puppy fetch it from there.

166 51 Puppy Trick

OPEN THE REFRIGERATOR

3 Tie a dish towel to the refrigerator handle. Cue your puppy to “open.”

CLOSE THE REFRIGERATOR

He will use the dish towel to open the door. 4 Tap the door and cue “close.”

Chaining 167
_Mail from the Mailbox
VERBAL
CUE
Get the mail

Teach your puppy

to open the
mailoox door,
retrieve the mail,
and close the door.

“Here’s what’s
fun: ripping up
pieces of paper.”
CTEACH
TT:
GET THE MAIL
‘1 Before teaching this trick, teach your puppy to fetch (page 134) PUT IT ALL TOGETHER! Familiarize.
and fetch to hand (page 138). Toss a rolled up piece of mail or yourself with the process of chaining
behaviors (page 154). First teach each
newspaper on the floor, and have your puppy to fetch it a few times.
of the components, and then chain them
2 Place the newspaper inside your open mailbox and tap it to direct together: Your new cue of “get the mail”
your puppy’s interest. Have him “fetch” and reward him when he will come to represent the entire chain.
brings it to you.

OPEN THE MAILBOX

TROUBLESHOOTING
} Attach a knotted rope to the top of your mailbox door. Wiggle the
MY PUPPY OPENS THE MAILBOX DOOR
rope. When your puppy sniffs or bites or touches the rope at all, click
WHEN | WANT HIM TO CLOSE IT
your clicker and give him a treat. If your puppy is not interested in the Because all three behaviors use the
rope, try rubbing some hot dog scent on it. same prop, you can expect some
@ Once your puppy understands that touching the rope earns him a initial confusion from your puppy as
Click and a treat, make it a little harder. This time, don’t click when to which behavior he is supposed
he touches the rope. He will probably touch it a second time. Then he to do.
may become frustrated and bite the rope—click that!
5S Next, try to get your puppy to pull on to the rope. Encourage him by
saying “open! Get it! Get it!” Click and treat him for the slightest pull.
6 Finally, try to get your puppy to pull the mailbox door all the way
open before you click. “Treats are
probably the
‘best thing
_ CLOSE THE MAILBOX in the whole
‘7 Remove the rope attached to the mailbox door, so as not to confuse world!”
your puppy. Tie together two large rubber bands and use them to
hold the mailbox door a few inches (cm) open. The elasticity in the
rubber bands will hold the door slightly open, but will not cause the
mailbox to tip forward if your puppy pulls on the lid.
8 Dab a spot of peanut butter on the door to get your puppy’s interest.
Tell him “close” and click-your clicker the moment he touches the
mailbox door. Immediately give him a treat.
*@ Next, stop clicking him for merely touching the door, and wait for him
to push it closed before clicking. Once he is consistently successful,
add at third rubber band to your string to hold the door wider open,
and finally, remove the rubber bands altogether.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Fetching the mail from the mailbox can be

learned in a day or two. Opening and closing the mailbox door can each
be learned in about a week.
MAIL FROM THE MAILBOX

GET THE MAIL

4 Have your puppy fetch the mail from the floor. 2 Place the newspaper exposed in an open mailbox.

Tell your puppy to “fetch!” owe Reward your puppy when he brings it to your hand.

170
OPEN THE MAILBOX

3 Click and reward your puppy for 4 Now wait until your puppy bites the 5 And then challenge your puppy to pull
touching the rope. rope before you click. on the rope. Click and reward.

6 Have your puppy pull the mailbox door all the way open. Click and treat.

CLOSE THE MAILBOX

7 Use two rubber bands to hold the 8 Click when your puppy sniffs the 9 Have your puppy close it completely.
mailbox door open. peanut butter on the door.
i
Chaining
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close the door

“When I was little

I didn’t know any
tricks but now
| already know
three!”

172 51 Puppy Tricks

Behavior Reward Marker
An action that the puppy performs. A specific unique sound (such as a
word or a click from a clicker) that
Chaining
denotes the instant the puppy performs
The process of combining several behaviors into a
correctly and earns a reward.
continuous sequence.
Shaping
Clicker
The method of teaching a trick by breaking it down
A handheld gadget with a metal tongue that makes
into baby steps. The most basic component of the
_a click-click sound when pressed. The clicker is
trick is rewarded first, then the next component,
commonly used in dog training to make the reward
progressing step-by-step through the entire trick.
marker sound.
Reward markers are often used in shaping because
Cookie they can mark a behavior very precisely.
Dog training vernacular for a treat. Training Session
Cue A focused and continuous teaching period. Several
five-minute sessions per day are ideal for most
A word or hand signal that instructs the puppy to
puppies.
perform a behavior.
Treat
Luring
A pea-sized soft, tasty food morsel given as a reward
The method of using a treat to guide the puppy's
or used as a lure.
head, in an effort to get the puppy to position his
body. We can use a treat to lure a puppy ina circle, Treat Bag
in order to teach him to “spin.” Also called a bait bag; a pouch at your waist used to
hold treats.
Marker Training
The method of using a reward marker to denote the Trick
instant the puppy performs a correct behavior. The A behavior performed on cue by the puppy.
exact timing of the reward marker greatly helps the
puppy understand what he did to earn the reward. Upping the Ante
Every reward marker is followed by a treat. When we up the ante, we require a more difficult
behavior from the puppy than he has previously
Positive Reinforcement achieved. As soon as your puppy is achieving a step
Positive reinforcement is the rewarding of good with about 75 percent success, up the ante and
behavior in order to increase the behavior; you get demand a higher skill to earn the treat.
your puppy to do a trick, you give him a reward, and
he leams to repeat the trick.

Puppy
For the purposes of this book, a puppy is a dog up to
two years of age.

Regression
lf a puppy has more than two or three unsuccessful
attempts in a row, we regress by temporarily lowering
the criteria for success. By reverting to an easier step,
the puppy can be successful for a while.

Reward
Anything a puppy enjoys (such as praise, play, or
a toy) can be used as a reward for good behavior.
Treats are the most common reward for puppies.

173
KYRA SUNDANCE JADIE
KYRA SUNDANCE’S world-acclaimed acrobatic Stunt Jadie (Kyra’s Weimaraner puppy) shot the 51 Puppy
Dog Team performs on premier stages internationally Tricks cover photo and many of the full-page trick photos
at circuses, professional sports halftime shows, and when she was four months old. She shot the step-by
on television shows such as The Tonight Show, Ellen, step photos when she was between four and five months
ET, Worldwide Fido Awards, Animal Planet, Showdeg old. Jadie began her training at the age of eight weeks,
Moms & Dads, and more. Kyra and her dogs starred performed on Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Fido Awards
in Disney’s Underdog stage show, and starred in a at nine weeks, and starred in the Puppy Tricks DVD at
command performance in Marrakech for the King of twenty weeks. We look forward to lots more great things
Morocco. Kyra is nationally ranked in competitive dog from her as she grows up!
sports, has worked as a set trainer for dog actors, and
lectures for international professional dog organizations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Kyra authored several successful books including 101 Thanks to Heidi Horn (production assistant, bandanna
Dog Tricks series and the The Dog Rules, and starred coordinator, puppy petter, and Kyra’s mother), Claire
in several dog tricks DVDs. Kyra and her Weimaraners Doré (consultant), and Chalcy (puppy tutor and my own
Chalcy and Jadie live with Kyra’s husband on a ranch in adult Weimaraner). And thanks especially to all the
California’s Mojave Desert. www.kyra.com adorable, smart, and talented, puppies: Mabel (bulldog),
Luke (Siberian husky), Jamie (dalmatian), Nash (bearded
collie), Gibson (white golden retriever), Lucy and Susie
(beagles), Dolly and Brody (bloodhounds), and to my
own Jadie (Weimaraner puppy).
www.101dostricks.com

Do More Ca
With Your Dog! @@ @

ae
101 DOG TRICKS THE DOG TRICKS AND TRAINING WORKBOOK
STEP-BY-STEP ACTIVITIES TO A STEP-BY-STEP INTERACTIVE >
ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND CURRICULUM TO ENGAGE, ,
BOND WITH YOUR DOG CHALLENGE, AND BOND
WITH YOUR DOG
101 Dog Tricks is the |
industry standard training Track your progress as
book for adult dogs. you work through this
Difficulty ratings range comprehensive curriculum.
from “easy” to “expert” Review and re-evaluation
and “build-on” ideas suggest more complicated sections at the end of each chapter prompt you
tricks that build on each new skill. If you want to reflect on your progress and your improving
to teach your dog to find the remote, carry your relationship with your dog. Also included: 30
purse, play basketball, and jump rope, this is the trick cards and a DVD that features step-by-step
book for you! instructions for four complete tricks.

Teach your THE DOG RULES

14 SECRETS TO DEVELOPING
THE DOG YOU WANT

KYRA SUN

BEST OF 101 DOG TRICKS (DVD)

PUPPY TRICKS (DVD)
STARRING KYRA SUNDANCE

Step-by-step instruction and real world examples

of training a novice dog. The Puppy Tricks DVD
contains 17 tricks including: Spin Circles, Open
the Door, Close the Door, Roll Over, Ring a Bell
to Go Outside, Wipe your Paws, Turn on the Tap
Light, and Fetch. The Dog Tricks DVD contains 16
tricks including: Say Your Prayers, Jump Through
My Circled Arms, Shake Hands, Crawl, Beg, Take a
Bow, Cover Your Eyes, and Tidy Up Your Toys.

175
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Nick
Saglimbeni is obsessed with pushing the limits of conventional photography.
After earning his Masters degree in Cinematography from the University of
Southern California, Nick opened SlickforceStudio, which quickly grew to
become one of the most sought-after visual-media studios in Los Angeles.
Nick has received three Grand Prize Awards from the National Association of
Photoshop Professionals, and he won the 2009 Blackberry Small Business
Award. His work nas been featured on over 100 magazine covers, and he
continues to shoot for TV and film.
 eas Gossoe
?

Give your Du Dy KYRA SUNDANCE's world-

acclaimed acrobatic Stunt Dog Team
a h Ca re sta rt! has starred internationally in circuses,
. professional sports halftime shows,
The first two years of your DUDPY’S life Disney’s Underdog stage show, and in a

are a crucial time in his development. command peronien:

B hing hi Ate ti the King of Morocco. Kyra and her dogs
y teaching him early ana using positive have performed on televisions shows
reinforcement methods, you will instill such as The Tonight Show fies fe
in him a cooperative spirit and a lifetime Worldwide Fido Awards, Animal Planet,
love of learning. Showdog Moms & Dads, and more.

Kyra has earned a national ranking in

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT METHODS are the fastest and competitive dog sports. She has worked -
easiest way to teach a puppy. These anxiety-free methods produce a as a set trainer for dog actors, and
joyful puppy who is a willing partner in the learning process. lectures for international professional
dog organizations. Kyra is the author of
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION guides you through the simple steps
several successful books including
of teaching a trick. Troubleshooting ideas and tips provide solutions to
101 Dog Tricks and has starred in
common real-world challenges.
several dog and puppy tricks DVDs. -

PHOTOS OF EVERY STEP of the training process show you exactly

what to do and take the guesswork out of teaching.

“Wow! Kyra Sundance has written yet another brilliant book!

51 Puppy Tricks takes you through the simple steps—using positive
reinforcement methods—to teach your puppy quickly and easily. These fun
methods not only develop a closer bond between you and your puppy,
but they will instill in your dog a lifelong love of learning. You rock, Kyra!”
_—Dr. lan Dunbar, Founder, AssociationofPet Dog Trainers (APDT) eee
Nc hb oater

ALSO AVAILABLE BY KYRA SUNDANCE /-

ZM
101 Dog Tricks, 978-1-59253-325-1 : ‘ ; Be Q
The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook, 978-1-59253-530-9 eds : w
ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-571-2 —|
Pets ISBN-10: 1-59253-571-2 no
$18.99 US 51899 N

:5 0°"80665' 00548
52550 CA
$23.99 CAN j
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9°781592"53 57 p2
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www.quarrybooks.com
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