Teach your dog to BOW!

Foreword: Bow is a pretty easy trick, but looks impressive!

Directions:There are two ways to teach this trick. You must decide which will be the best for your Rover.

BOW for the food crazy Rover: Since your Rover will jump off a plane to get that little doggy treat, this version should be pretty easy to teach. Start by getting those yummy treats! Next, have Rover stand while you kneel next to him. Now take that treat and hold it between Rovers front paws. Hopefully, Rover will now look down and try to get the treat. If Rover doesn't respond to the treat, move on to the other version.

Once Rover starts to reach for the treat, pull your hand slightly back, so Rover must look in between his legs. To keep his balance, Rover should now BOW. Give him the treat! Now repeat it until Rover goes into the BOW position faster. Meanwhile, you should be saying BOW every time he BOWS.

If Rover lays down instead of bowing, gently put your hand on his tummy while Rover is standing. This should keep him from laying down.

BOW for the food picky Rover: If you have one of those Rover's who just won't respond to those yummy doggy treats (including mine) you have to try this version.

Start by kneeling next to Rover with one hand on Rovers shoulder and the other supporting his tummy. Now say BOW and gently apply pressure from the hand that's on Rovers shoulder. Repeat this, saying BOW every time and rewarding Rover for being forced into the position. Once he starts getting it, you won't have to apply so much pressure anymore.

This should get Rover into the BOW position, but if your working with a BIG Rover, here is another version to try.

BOW for the food picky BIG Rover: Well, since BIG Rover just won't budge using the above methods, here is another version to try. Kneel next to BIG Rover and put one hand on his tummy and the other on his forelegs. Now say BOW, and grab his front legs and gently pull them forward until he is in the BOW position. Now praise and try it again. Be gently though, or BIG Rover will protest.

Teach your dog to JUMP ROPE!

Foreword: This is a tough trick! But it looks cool once Rover gets it. It also is a good way to get that extra energy a little lower!

Directions:The easiest way to start teaching this trick is to get Rover on a box. You want it large enough for Rover to turn around on, but not so large that Rover can walk around on it. Hold on to Rovers collar and slowly slide a stick under Rover. Start at Rovers forequarters and then move on to his hindquarters. The first time go really slow, so Rover does not get scared and tries to jump of the box. Let Rover step over the stick. Only do this for about 2 minutes at a time.

After Rover gets used to stepping over the stick at a slow pace, go a little faster. Use the command JUMP ROPE when he is jumping over it. Now you can try him with the jump rope. Always start at his front and pull the rope to the back. Once he is jumping over it, you can take him down from the box and try it on the ground. If he jumps over the rope and stays on the same spot your work is done! If not back up a step.

Teach your dog to SPEAK!

Foreword: Some people don't teach their Rover this trick because they think by encouraging Rover to bark he will become a nuisance barker! This is not so. But YOU have to tell Rover when and where to speak and when to stop. Don't encourage Rover if he starts or keeps on barking without you wanting him to. There are some tips on what to do then on the bottom of the page.

Directions for the vocal Rover: First find out what will make Rover bark. It might be the doorbell ringing, the telephone, or something like you holding his food. Every dog is different so you must find out what works for your dog.

Lets say that Rover barks every time that someone rings the doorbell. Have someone ring the bell while you are next to Rover. Just before the bell rings, say ROVER, SPEAK! As soon as the bell rings and Rover barked once, praise Rover, saying GOOD SPEAK! If Rover keeps on barking, check out the paragraph on the bottom of the page.

Do this in every training session. Soon Rover will start recognizing you telling him to SPEAK and him barking. Once Rover starts to bark after you say SPEAK and before the doorbell rings, quit using the doorbell. Now you can start saying SPEAK without having to use the doorbell. If Rover forgets, go back to the last step.

Note! After you get to the last step make sure Rover stops barking at the doorbell. (Unless you want him too) Further directions are below.

Directions for the food crazy Rover: If you don't like the directions above, or Rover is a good boy and simply doesn't bark in those situations try these directions.

Hold up a piece of Rovers favorite doggy treat. Excite him with your voice, saying things like, "Do you want this? Do you? Speak and you'll get it!!!" If Rover barks (my dog first went through all the tricks that she knew, finally she gave up and just started barking in frustration, exactly what I wanted) give Rover the food immediately, praising and saying GOOD SPEAK! Repeat this saying SPEAK and holding up the treat until he immediately SPEAKS.

At this point I like to go over to a hand signal, (I use both, you never know when it can come in handy, like, if you want your Rover to be the next movie star.... well, we can dream, can't we?) I have written down the directions for hand signals here!

Directions for the absolutely stubborn Rover: Sometimes our dogs just like to see us suffer as we make the measly attempt to teach them a simple trick. Well, for all those well trained Rovers who have learned it is "impolite" to bark at the mail man or to be baited, here are the directions for you.

Warning! Please only try these directions if the above directions did not work. For most dogs the above directions will be better and easier to teach then the one below.

Make your Rover jealous! Tie Rover up to a tree while you pet another dog in Rovers eyesight! If he starts to bark in protest, reward! Immediately turn your attention to Rover and reward Rover for barking! Another one you could try is tying Rover up rather short and bringing out his food. Rover will protest and start to pull on the leash. Then Rover will start to bark. Reward him with Rovers dinner saying GOOD SPEAK.

Teach your dog to ROLL OVER!

Foreword: ROLL OVER has always been a favorite!

General Directions: You start with Rover in the DEAD DOG position. It is best taught when you both are in a happy mood, best at play time.

When Rover is in the PLAY DEAD position gently grasp both the front and hind leg that are at the bottom. Gently pull Rover over. Now let go of his legs and let Rover jump up and play with Rover, praising Rover for being such a good boy! Rover doesn't have to stay in the DEAD DOG position, but make sure Rover ROLLS OVER all the way before jumping up.

Repeat this a couple of times, making sure Rover stays in an up beat mood. As Rover starts to get it, you won't have to use as much force to pull Rover over. Say ROLL OVER every time you roll Rover over.

Soon you can also use a hand signal , instead of the word command.

Note: If Rover doesn't like you holding and pulling him, let go of Rovers legs right away! The last thing you want is Rover struggling to get up while you are hanging onto Rover legs. This will just give Rover a ROLL OVER phobia!

Directions for the food crazy Rover: Have Rover in a PLAY DEAD position and take out that yummy piece of food! Now hold it in front of Rovers nose. Rover will smell it and probably try to eat it. Don't let Rover eat it, but move it back, past Rovers front legs and then up. This will make Rover turn his head and look over his shoulder.

Some dogs will now ROLL OVER all by themselves, but some will need a little help from you to get over all the way. Once Rover sees the connection between the food and the rolling over, it will take a lot less time.

Directions for the Rover who won't ROLL OVER: Sometimes you'll get a Rover who just doesn't like ROLLING OVER! Maybe it's a back or leg problem or because of an earlier bad experience with it. First, look for the problem. If Rover is in obvious pain, stop teaching ROLL OVER! There are tons of other tricks you can teach Rover instead! If your Rover is just afraid of anyone holding onto his legs and pulling him over, evaluate, how did this happen? Did someone mistreat Rover, not letting go of his legs when he was struggling? In this case, you'll have to start from the beginning.

Sometimes I find it easier to teach roll over on a bed or couch. I have a dog who really doesn't like being rolled over on the ground, but is okay with it on my bed.

I take it that Rover is not aggressive about you touching his legs. If he is, what are you doing teaching him tricks anyways? Start by playing with Rover. Wrestle around a little, play fight. Now get Rover into the PLAY DEAD position. Still play with him, but keep Rover from getting up. Let Rover stay in the PLAY DEAD position for a minute or two and then let Rover get up. Praise Rover! You want to get Rovers confidence!

In the next session go a step further. When petting him all over, touch one of his legs. If Rover gets up (boy, he really does not like ROLLING OVER!!!) start again at the begining. This may take a long time! So be patient!

In the next session touch all legs, but do not attempt to hold on to any!

Soon you can start gently holding on to one leg for a second. Do this a couple of times and then proceed to holding each leg separately for a few seconds.

If Rover doesn't complain, go on to the next step. Make sure you praise him until the cows come home!

Now gently move one leg at a time. Now you can start pulling the front and back leg just enough to pull Rover up a quarter of the way. Gently return Rover to the original position. If Rover gets scared, let go of his legs immediately! If Rover is okay with it, praise Rover! Now you can roll Rover over all the way, and your job is done.

Now you could also try the other method above with the food.

Teach your dog to RETRIEVE!

Foreword: Once Rover has learned RETRIEVE, you can do almost anything. Even if it is a simple thing like "fetch your ball," or more complex like "get me an egg". Believe me, I have heard of a dog who would go every morning down to the chickens, open the gate, get an egg, close the gate and come back with the egg unharmed (except for a lot of doggy slobber all over it, that is)! Well, that might not be on of your near future goals for teaching your Rover, but once you teach this retrieving trick, you can let you imagination take over.

Directions:There are two ways to teach Rover RETRIEVE depending on what kind of dog he is.

Fetch for the Rover who loves his ball: Since you have a Rover who loves his ball, and sometimes getting the ball back is a battle of it's own, here is the perfect way to teach RETRIEVE.

Simply throw the ball and have Rover chase it. Once he gets the ball, call him back to you. If he comes, praise him but IGNORE the ball. Don't try to take it or you'll soon have a Rover who will always drop the ball coming back half way to you. If Rover is being a bad boy, and decides to enjoy HIS ball in the other corner of the yard, you'll have to use a rope. Tie the rope to Rover and throw the ball again. Now call him and if he doesn't come give tug on the leash. You don't want to pull him in, instead you want him to come to you on his own will. Or so HE thinks!

Once your Rover is coming to you, praise him and still ignore the ball. Now try some other commands while he has the ball in his mouth. Like HEEL, SIT, and COME. You don't want him to drop his ball. Try not to use the word NO, as this may cause him to drop it. If Rover wants to play cat and mouse, ignore him and move the other direction and call him, if he response, praise.

Now that Rover has confidence in working with his ball, move on to another object like a dowel or a stick. You don't want Rover to become too attached and he'll only retrieve his ball.

Throw the object a couple of feet and tell Rover to RETRIEVEit. If he fetches it and brings it back to you, then you have a great dog. Do this with other objects, like small boxes, shoes or whatever you want. If Rover RETRIEVES them each time and brings them back to you, praise him. Your job was easy. Make sure Rover keeps the object in his mouth until you say GIVE or RELEASE. You don't want him dropping the egg on the kitchen floor. = )

If you don't have a wonder Rover like that (including mine) then you'll have to try the next direction.

Retrieve for the Rover who hates his ball: Your Rover might not be as bad as mine, but I got to a point were my Rover wouldn't even fetch the ball anymore. I could never have Rover keep the ball in its mouth once Rover did RETRIEVE it. So here is the method I used (it took me a couple of months) to get Rover to love his ball.

As I said in the directions above, don't take the ball away from Rover every time he comes back with it. This will make future tricks, as carry a basket almost impossible. Only do this exercise for a couple of minutes, you don't want Rover to become bored.

Take the stick (It should be only around four-inches long) and have Rover sit next to you . Hold the leash in your left hand and the stick in your right. Now say ROVER, TAKE IT and hold it in front of his mouth. Don't worry if Rover spits it out right away. Try it again. Speed in praising Rover is very important. You want to praise him for taking it instead of praising him for spitting it out.

If your Rover is very resistant and doesn't even want to open his mouth, grab Rovers collar. This will keep him from turning his head. Now open his mouth and pop the stick in while praising him. Make sure you don't praise him when he spits it out though.

You want to keep Rover happy though, so DON'T practice this for hours.

Once you do a couple of sessions of this, Rover should willingly open his mouth. Praise him! After Rover gets the connection between taking the stick in his mouth and you praising him, he'll start reaching for it. Praise is vital now, as you don't want to have Rover back up a couple of steps. Once he starts reaching for it, you can start holding the stick farther away. Try this a couple of times and then place the stick on the ground. If he retrieves it, your work is done for the day and play some old fashion FETCH!

Conclusion: Once your Rover RETRIEVES the stick willingly you can switch to other things like small boxes, shoes, pens or whatever you want him to fetch. If, at any time, Rover refuses to RETRIEVE something, back up a couple of steps!

Teach your dog to CRAWL!

Foreword: CRAWL is easier to teach with two people. It is easier to have a second person gently keep the dog from standing up while the other calls the dog. But it can be achieved with only one person too.

Directions: Tell Rover to lay down. Get down on your knees and gently grab hold onto Rovers collar with one hand and put the other on Rovers back. Now tell Rover to CRAWL and gently pull forward on Rovers collar. The response you will probably get is that Rover will try to stand up. That's when you use your other hand that you have on his back. Push him down gently before he stands up all the way. Now try it again while giving a little pressure from the hand on his back. If he crawls a couple inches, praise him (make sure he doesn't get up while you do) and give him a treat. Now try it again.

If Rover is really stubborn and wont budge an inch, then get that second person to help you. The second person (Lets call her Su) will stand a little distance (Start with only a couple feet away) away from you and Rover. Get back down on your knees next to Rover with one hand on his back and one on his collar. Tell Su to call him. Rover will of course try to get up and run to Su. Push him down gently and make Rover CRAWL!

Once you have done this a couple times with Rover, and Rover is making no effort of standing up while he is crawling, you can start not putting your hand on his back. If Rover stands up go back to the last step. If Rover remains down, lots of praise! Now you can move on with you standing while giving the command. Then move away and tell Rover to CRAWL. If Rover does, your work is done!!!!

Also you can lure Rover into CRAWLING by holding a treat infront of Rovers nose, dragging it along the ground. Keep a hand on Rovers back/collar.

Teach your dog to LIMP!

Foreword: This is a very hard one to teach!

Directions:Start with having Rover on a leash. Stand in front of him and loop the leash under one of his forelegs, so you can elevate his wrist. Now gently pull on the leash so that he must elevate his leg. Now call Rover to you. ROVER, COME, LIMP. If he takes a couple steps with only three legs, praise him! Now let him rest and try again.

If Rover does not like being three legged and tries to pull away, get a second person to help you. Have her hold onto Rovers collar and leg while you call him to you.

Once Rover starts to get it, relax a little on the leash and have him walk a bigger distance. Now you can also try it off leash. Make a sling around his wrist and attach it to his collar. Now call him to you using the LIMP command. If Rover tries to walk on all four legs go back a step. If he does LIMP you can now remove the leash and try him. If he LIMPS, your work is finished! Good job!!!

Teach your dog to PLAY DEAD!

Foreword: This trick is best taught after Rover has had some exercise and is ready to rest. Rover will need to know the DOWN command to successfully complete this trick.

Directions: Tell Rover to DOWN and note the side that he is leaning on. Now gently push him over saying PLAY DEAD. As he rolls over on his side praise him and give him a tummy scratch. Repeat this until you don't have to use any pressure to get him to roll onto his side.

Conclusion:This trick is part of the BANG BANG trick, but can be used by itself too. Simply say BANG as the command instead of PLAY DEAD. Because Rover was shot down he must remain still. Practice this a couple of times making Rover stay in the PLAY DEAD position, not moving a muscle.

The BANG BANG trick!

Foreword: To perform this trick your dog must know LIMP, CRAWL and PLAY DEAD. If Rover knows these tricks by heart you can try the BANG BANG trick!

Suddenly you pull your finger out of you "holster" and point at Rover and say BANG! Rover starts to LIMP. Another BANG and Rover starts to CRAWL. Another BANG and Rover PLAYS DEAD.

Like I said before to teach this trick your Rover must know LIMP, CRAWL and PLAY DEAD in his sleep.

Directions:To teach the BANG BANG trick, give Rover the LIMP command followed by you pulling out your finger and saying BANG. If Rover LIMPS give lots of praise. Now tell Rover to CRAWL followed by pulling out your finger and saying BANG. Praise! Now do the same thing for PLAY DEAD.

Repeat the sequence always going from LIMP to CRAWL to PLAY DEAD. You must do this, because you only have one command (BANG) for three different tricks. After you do this a couple times you can start dropping the first word and only say BANG.

Teaching HAND SIGNALS!

Foreword: I like to use both hand signals and vocal signals. You never know when they can come in handy, like, if you want your Rover to be the next movie star.... well, we can dream, can't we?).

Directions: Teaching hand signals is easy. You can try teaching only hand signals from the beginning, although I have found it is hard to keep Rovers attention on you. The easiest method is simply first to teach the trick using a vocal command. Once this is achieved, simply do the hand signal every time you say the command. Rover will soon put the hand signal together with the vocal command and your job is done.

There are many hand signals you can use. Such as opening and closing your hand. Make up some of your own.

But to get you started here are some examples:

1. For SIT, raise index finger and point down.

2. For SPEAK, use the duck or sock puppet hand movement. This just involves touching all your main fingers to your thumb at the same time.

3. For DOWN, with your hand palm side down, raise and lower it.

4. For GO POTTY, use one hand, and put your thumb in between index and middle finger, and then move hand left and right gently.

These are just some examples. The list of hand signals really goes on indefinitely. You can spin a finger, give a thumps up, peace sign...etc. Just make sure the movement is clear and short.

Teach your dog to KISS

Most people who love dogs enjoy getting a kiss on the cheek from an affectionate canine. Even if you say nothing, many dogs will lick your cheek if you present it to them and pet them. If your dog doesn't, or if you want him to do it on command, simply dab a bit of butter on your cheek and say, "Give me a kiss." After a few practice sessions, he will lick your face without the "treat."

If you'd like your dog to look debonair as well as affectionate, try the same technique to get him to kiss lady's hand. Now make sure he distinguishes the word cheek from the word hand so that he will deliver exactly the kind of affection you ask him to. He's sure to get many kisses in return and perhaps an occasional blush.