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Teaching Your Dog "Dance"
- Have yummy treats ready. Remember, a yummy treat is a small bit of meat or cheese; something that your dog does not normally receive. The yummier it is, the more your dog will be willing to work for it.
- Have your dog sit facing you. Hold a treat in your hand, ready to dispense.
- Raise the treat up and over your dog's head so that he must stand on his hind legs to get it. When he does, treat him and praise him.
- After 5 or 6 tries, quit and go do something fun with your dog. Return to teaching the trick after a few hours, or the next day. (Ending teaching sessions while the dog is still interested in the training is much more effective because it keeps the dog interested, and he will be more likely to want to return to training.)
- Try to only treat if he does not place his paws on you or anything else while "dancing." Gradually wait longer and longer to treat him so that he will learn to stay upright longer. Remember to praise him each time you pop the treat in his mouth.
- As he improves, say "dance" just before holding the treat up, and add a hand signal if you wish. Try to get your pet to spin around or walk a few steps before treating.
With lots of practice, your pooch will be dancing like a pro!
Good luck! Tell us how it goes! Call 404.974.2899, or send us a picture of your pooch doing his trick.
BY EMAIL: Email a .jpg photo along with anything you would like to share about your pet. Our email address is successstories@atlantahumane.org
BY
REGULAR MAIL: Mail us a non-returnable photograph of your pet (be sure to tell
us your pet's name and your name). Include your email address if
you have one, or a phone number if you don't, so that we can alert
you if we decide to use your photo on our website. Mail to:
Graphics
Department
981 Howell Mill Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Did you know? Tricks are not only fun for your pet, but they help keep them happy and well-adjusted, and more focused on you!