1. Builds engagement

Teaching tricks is a fun way to build the relationship with your dog. Dogs that enjoy your company and find it rewarding to be around you are more willing to be compliant when you ask them to do something, like come to you at the dog park! Trick training is a simple and fun way for you and your dog to interact and build a bond. All you need is some food rewards, a little time and some imagination to find tricks that your dog can perform and enjoys doing.

An added bonus of trick training is that when guests arrive for Christmas, a twirl (or any trick) is a great way to show off to your friends and family what a smart dog you have.

2. Builds flexibility

A twirl (spin) is a great exercise to stretch your dog’s back and abdominal muscles. These muscles support the vertebrae to enable limb movement. They also stabilise the dog as they move, and flex and extend the torso as the dog gallops.

For active dogs or those with compromised gaits, the back and abdominal muscles can be strained, so regular stretching is beneficial to relieve tension and reduce the risk of muscle injury. Optimally, teach your dog to twirl to the left and right, so muscles on both sides of the body are stretched.

3. Reinforces loose lead walking (heel) position

While out walking with your dog, asking for a twirl is a great way to reinforce a close loose lead walking position. Ask for a twirl and continue walking, your dog needs to catch up and find the close position. When the dog finds the position, then reward heavily.

Adding a twirl to your lead walking also keeps your dog engaged with you.

4. Redirects dog’s attention

For dogs that are easily distracted, tricks are a great way to re-engage with your dog in distracting situations or redirect them from doing something undesirable. When you are waiting in a crowded vet’s waiting room, when a dog passes by on your walk or children on skateboards go by, simply ask your dog to perform their trick as a way to redirect your dog.

Tricks are also a great way to re-direct puppies and young dogs from doing something less than desirable at home. When you next see your young dog heading into the backyard with your new shoe, call them to you, ask for a couple of twirls, and give your pup a treat and a cuddle – they have already forgotten about stealing your shoe!

Please remember for stressed or anxious dogs, ensure they are well below their stress threshold before asking for a trick in stressful situations.

5. Builds trick complexity

A simple twirl can be developed into a more complex trick. Once your dog twirls fluently then why not make it a more impressive trick – ask for a twirl on voice command only (no hand signal), teach your dog to twirl left and right, from in front of you or from your side, try twirling with your dog – so you both twirl the same or different ways, or put the twirl into a doggy dancing sequence like a leg weave, bow (See http://www.fullstride.com.au/blog/teach-a-dog-to-bow) or jumping through a hoop.

How to teach a twirl?

With your dog standing at your side, take a tasty treat in the hand closest to the dog.

Place the treat on your dog’s nose and move your hand away from you and then toward the dog’s tail. When the dog’s head starts to move toward their tail, give them the treat. Think about rewarding for only a quarter of a circle on the first attempt.

Slowly and gradually, ask your dog to arch further toward their tail before giving them the treat. (i.e. build from a quarter of a circle to a third) After a few repetitions, your dog will be able to do a full circle and come back to your side before you give them the treat.

Once you and your dog are proficient, then remove the treat from your hand. Ask the dog to do the same repetitions but just following your hand. Have a treat ready in the other hand to quickly pass across to your dog.

Remember to practice on both sides, right and left.

You can do a similar sequence with your dog standing in front of you.

For more trick training tips, please contact me or try these websites for great trick ideas and positive ways to teach them.

https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup

dogmantics.com/

Full Stride provides canine massage, physical therapy and nutrition services. Full Stride also operates the Carseldine venue for Teamwork Dog Obedience.