Ok, so you’re in lock down… and probably the first time you and your fur friend will be spending weeks in each other’s company – poor fur kid. This is an amazing time for you (and the family) to develop an even closer bond with your pets.

The experts are all saying that we need to keep busy and develop a routine so that we remain sane and active whilst in self-isolation. As a pet owner, it makes sense to include you fur kid in your daily routine.

Exercise is an important aspect of your dog’s daily life, so please do whatever necessary to ensure you include a daily walk or run in your routine. That said, this is also a great time to teach your dog those tricks you have always wanted to try, but have never had the time to do.

Below is an easy to follow introduction to teaching your dog a few basic tricks that will wow your friends once you are back to socialising – there are also a few harder tricks to attempt once the basics are in place.

The bond between a dog and its owner can be exceptional, especially when it is well trained and listens to commands.

Mental stimulation in a dog is just as important as physical exercise. A few daily training sessions reinforces the connection with your dog and teaches him / her to be obedient while having fun!

Teaching tricks to a dog can sometimes seem impossible, seeing that some have rather exuberant personalities, but if you follow the three points noted below, I assure you that anything is possible.

Basic Principles when teaching your dog new tricks

• Positive reinforcement - a dog learns by making links. By associating his behaviour with something positive, he will want to reproduce this behaviour. The more the dog receives positive re-enforcement for performing a specific behaviour, the more it will want to perform the behaviour. Any action that a dog does naturally can be rewarded with a treat, a favourite toy, or simply good words. Then associate a voice command with this action.
• Patience - it is recommended that you organise several short training sessions. It will be easier for you to keep your dog's focus. At first, your dog will not do exactly what you ask. Don’t be discouraged. It’s important to go step by step and reward each improvement. Patience is key.
• Consistency - Always use the same words for your commands. Using a specific word to signal good behaviour is also a good idea. For example, I personally use "GOOD BOY / GIRL!"

It's important to start with the basics; teach your dog to be a ‘good doggie’ and listen to you on command. These simple tricks will help you achieve this goal.

SIT

Firstly, you will benefit from the natural tendency of a dog to want to sit, so reward your mate when he does this spontaneously.

You can also teach him this trick actively. Place a treat over your dog's nose and gently move your hand towards his backside – while doing this, use the active word you are instilling; “SIT!” Instinctively, he will sit down. It’s at this exact moment that you will say your key word ("GOOD BOY / GIRL!"), then give your reward. Then gradually introduce your voice command at the very beginning of its execution.

It is important not to force the behaviour by pressing on the rump of your dog, he will experience this as a constraint. Repeat, repeat, repeat! You can also try using a clicker to aid your training.

LAY DOWN

Once "sit" is mastered, we move to "lay down". When the dog is seated, show him a treat in front of his nose and gently move your hand towards the ground. Reward him when he begins to slide willingly.

If he does not slide completely, reward him in stages. Every step of progress toward what you expect of him must be rewarded in order for him to understand your intention.

STAY

Once you’ve got “lay down" sorted, work on his patience. Reward him when he lays down, but also when he stays down. Make your dog wait for his treat and slowly increase this waiting period.

Then, give the command "stay" and move away little by little before giving him the treat. Slowly increase the distance and the distractions.

COME

The mistake we often make when a dog runs away is to shout his name several times and keep repeating for him to come to us.

If you know that your dog is too distracted in a certain situation, do not use this voice command so as not to spoil it. We don’t want him to learn that he has the right to ignore this command.

You have to first work on this command in a place without distraction and reward your dog whenever he comes to you over short distances. When he starts to approach, say your command and reward him the second he comes over to you.

Then, gradually increase the distance and the distractions to ultimately get him to respond to this command in an environment that is very exciting for him.

HEEL

Begin the education of this trick in a calm place. Put your dog on a leash and start walking near a wall or fence so that you leave little space for your dog. As you walk, reward your dog with a treat or congratulations when he is focused on you and does not pull on the leash.

If he pulls, make him sit until he calms down. I know, this is easier said than done... but, as I said earlier, patience is key in training!

With a lot of work, you can associate this behaviour with the "Heel" command and your dog will walk by your side even without a leash. This trick may take a long period of time to master as there are so many distractions that need to be overcome.

GIVE

This trick can save lives if a dog snatches a dangerous item or food.

When your dog has his toy in his mouth, bring a treat to his snout and if it is attractive enough, he will drop the object. As he opens his mouth, give the voice command then give him his reward. Take possession of the object and repeat.

The basics of obedience are important, but it's time to have a little fun with some unusual tricks!

SPEAK

Find out what is causing your dog to bark and use it to induce this behaviour. As soon as your dog barks, say "Yes!" and then reward him. After a few tries, ask him to "Speak" before using the trigger word in order to create the association and you will be able to get your dog to bark on command!

If your dog is a ‘problem barker’ leave this training for a more advanced time. He needs to first understand that barking is not always OK.

HUG

Sit on your knees or sit on the floor with a treat in your hand. Have your dog approach you by showing it to him and then bring it up behind your neck. Your dog will place his head on your shoulder trying to reach the treat. Release the treat when he leans his head on you and congratulate him. Then integrate the voice command.

HANDS UP!

You can teach this trick in the following way. While he is sitting, put a treat near his nose and bring it over his head. Keep a reasonable distance so that he does not have to jump to reach it, but still has to lift his front legs.

Once in this position, reward him. He will eventually understand and then associate this behaviour with the voice command “Hands up!”

After achieving this, increase the difficulty by gradually moving away, so that the treat is no longer right over his head.

TIRED?

Teach your dog to yawn on command by congratulating him every time that he yawns! Once he has finished yawning, give him a treat. When he begins to repeat this behaviour, associate it with the "Tired?" command when he starts to yawn.

CRAWL

When your dog has mastered the "lay down" command, increase the difficulty by asking him to crawl forward in this position. Place a treat in your hand and put it near his snout, on the ground. Slowly drag it toward you to encourage him to follow.

If he moves forward, even a little bit, give him the reward. Slowly increase the distance. If he gets up, ignore and start again.

In training, always put your dog in a successful situation. Aim for small goals and avoid frustrations!

Teaching your dog tricks is a game of patience and repetition. In time, your dog should be able to master most of these tricks and more. Have fun!