Use your time at home to learn new pet tricks to be closer to your fur baby. We’ve dug up some effective tricks any dog can learn with the right techniques and the right amount of practice.
• Get a sweet fur kiss. Our four-legged babies can shower us with kisses even if we don’t ask them to. But there’s a trick where you can ask them to kiss you with your command. For this trick, you’ll need peanut butter or your dog’s favorite smudge treats. Then, put a little dab on your cheek (or wherever you would like your dog to kiss).
Give the cue phrase “kiss,” or say anything that will be your command for your dog to kiss you. You can also say something like “give kisses” or “gimme sugar.” Lean toward your dog, and let your dog do the rest. Practice this dog trick for a few minutes several times a day. Soon, your dog will come to give you a big kiss every time you say the cue phrase.
• Bark on Command. This trick might be for more advanced dogs and takes some extra patience, as it’s one of the more challenging tricks. It will require you to be more diligent in waiting for your dog to bark by themselves first.
As soon as your dog barks, immediately mark the behavior with a command like “speak!”, then reward them, so they continually do it. When your dog barks excessively, we can also control it by saying “quiet” in a calm, firm voice. Wait until your dog stops barking, even if it’s just to take a breath, then praise them and give them a treat.
But this will not remove their means of communication. Dogs will still bark whenever they want to, and it could mean different things depending on the situation, such as fear, anger, or medical problems. It is also essential to know the reason first why they are barking.
For example, if it is just attention seeking, don’t reward their barking. If they bark and you see their dish is empty, wait a few minutes, do something else, then fill it, so they won’t know their barking was effective. Once you understand why your dog is barking, you can start working on decreasing their annoying habit.
• Fetch Trick. Fetch game is the classic and healthiest game not just for your dog but also for you! But not all dogs can understand the game. Some will instinctively chase or catch the thing you throw, but they will not bring it back to you. Some will be more stubborn and even play tug-of-war with you.
Teaching them to fetch may take some time and care, but it can lead to more exercise and bonding between you and your dog. First, choose a suitable toy for your fur baby. You don’t want them to fetch heavier or bigger objects than them. Pick a toy that is easier to grasp with their teeth.
Some dogs may not be interested in retrieving toys, but you can begin with the basic games like tug-of-war or tease them with the toy. You can also put a treat inside of it. Once you get them interested, it’s time to start the fetching game. Start by throwing your toy a few meters away. Show your enthusiasm so they will love to play with you.
When the dog starts to chase your toy, try to tease them with another toy or a treat so they will bring the toy back to you. Treats and hugs are great ways to reinforce a behavior you want to encourage. You will need a lot of patience during this learning process. If your dog still can’t understand the game, don’t be frustrated and try another day again.
All the tricks cannot be quickly learned within the day. We need patience and energy to train them to every step. Soon, you’ll be a proud fur parent to your paw-some dog. Between the times spent doing tricks, playing outside for hours, and, of course, napping together, pet owners do a lot for their dogs, including making sure that they are healthy and free from any parasites.
Visit your veterinarian and ask for paw-some tips on keeping your pets free from fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Learn more ways at http://www.bravecto.com.ph/
