Top 10 Dog Tricks & How To Teach Them

A well-executed trick is a real crowd pleaser and helps give your dog purpose. But how do you train your dog new tricks? Below are simple methods to use for the top ten tricks people teach dogs to do! 

Positive reinforcement and consistency are the foundation of most effective dog training. This approach focuses on rewarding behaviors you want to see more often. A small, well-timed treat can help your dog connect the action with a positive outcome, making it more likely they will repeat it. Treats are best used in moderation as part of a broader feeding routine, typically in small pieces that keep your dog engaged without overfeeding.

• Keep training sessions short, clear, and consistent - train often but not for too long each time
• Dogs are masters of body language and can read visual cues better than spoken language, so combine a unique verbal and gesture for each trick, that way you can trigger the trick using either later on
• Use a marker word like “yes,” when they succeed and reward immediately
• Start with simple movements and build gradually since most tricks are learned in small steps, not all at once
• Training should feel like a shared activity, not a chore!

Here is our list of the ten most popular tricks dog owners teach, along with simple ways to teach them:

1. Come: This is also referred to as "recall" and it's more than a trick - it's a vital skill to ensure safety. Teach it by rewarding your dog for turning and returning to you. Showing excitement can help cue them to return to you. 
2. Sit: The classic, very useful in everyday life. Teach it by guiding your dog into position with a treat held above their nose. 
3. Lay Down: A good trick, but also very useful for life with your dog. Teach it by pointing and luring the dog to the ground with a treat. Withhold the treat if they get up before you say so. 
4. Fetch: Have fun and exercise at the same time! Teach by reinforcing picking up, returning, and releasing an object. Can be helpful to teach "Come" first. 
5. Shake: A cute, human-like movement. Teach it by rewarding any paw lift, then shape it into a hand-to-hand motion. 
6. High-five: Another human-like movement. Teach it by raising your hand slightly and reward paw contact.
7. Spin: This one is a great visual. Teach it by using a treat to guide/lure your dog in a full circle. 
8. Roll over: Another visually stunning movement. Teach it starting from a down position and lure side-to-side movement with the treat. 
9. Speak: This one can be fun and helpful, such as finding your dog in the dark ;) Teach it by rewarding when they do a natural bark and add the verbal cue. 
10. Crawl: Another cute movement. Teach by encouraging forward movement while keeping the body low. 

Across all tricks, consistency and patience matter more than speed. Treats can support learning, but they work best as part of a balanced routine that includes structure, daily enrichment, and consistency. Most importantly, have fun with it!