20 Fun Dog Tricks to Teach — From Easy to Advanced

A practical, force-free guide to teaching 20 fun dog tricks — from shake and roll over to closing doors and tidying toys — with step-by-step instructions, timing, and troubleshooting.

Introduction

Trick training is one of the most rewarding ways to bond with your dog. Tricks build your dog's confidence, provide mental enrichment, and reinforce good manners using positive reinforcement. This guide walks you through 20 tricks — arranged from easy to advanced — with clear, step-by-step instructions, progression criteria, realistic timelines, common mistakes, troubleshooting, and pro tips. All methods here follow force-free, positive reinforcement principles (Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, CCPDT standards).

What You'll Need

• High-value, small training treats (soft, easily consumed) or your dog’s favorite kibble
• Clicker (optional) or a consistent marker word like “Yes!” (mark within 0.5–1 second of the desired behavior)
• A quiet, low-distraction training space
• A target (sticky note on finger, target stick) for targeting tricks
• Tug toy or balls for play-motivated dogs
• A mat or towel for place-based tricks
• Patience, a calm voice, and 5–15 minutes per session

Training Basics (Timing, Reps, Rewarding)

• Timing: Mark the exact moment the dog performs the desired action. Use a clicker or say “Yes!” within 0.5–1 second, then deliver a treat within 1–2 seconds.
• Repetitions: 5–10 successful reps per session per trick.
• Sessions: 5–15 minutes, 1–3 sessions per day. End each session on a success.
• Progression criteria: Move to the next step when your dog performs the behavior reliably 8/10 times across two sessions without lures.
• Reinforcement schedule: Continuous (treat each successful) early, then variable reinforcement as reliability increases.

Easy Tricks (Foundational — 1 day to 2 weeks)

1) Shake / Paw

Steps:

Progression: Ready to progress when your dog offers paw on cue 8/10 times without you presenting the fist.

2) High Five

Steps:

3) Spin

Steps:

Progression: 8/10 smooth spins on cue from both sides.

4) Touch / Target

Steps:

Use: foundational for many advanced tricks.

5) Wave

Steps:

Progression: Dog waves reliably on cue without a visible lure.

Intermediate Tricks (2–6 weeks)

6) Down (as a trick, not just obedience)

Steps:

7) Roll Over

Steps:

Progression: Full roll offered on cue 8/10 times.

8) Play Dead (“Bang!”)

Steps:

9) Bow

Steps:

10) Sit Pretty / Beg

Steps:

Progression: 5–10 second hold on cue.

11) Weave Between Legs

Steps:

12) Crawl

Steps:

Advanced Tricks (Weeks to Months — proofing required)

13) Back Up

Steps:

14) Speak & Quiet on Cue

Steps:

15) Kiss / Gentle Nudge

Steps:

16) Dance / Spin on Hind Legs

Steps:

17) Tug Release on Cue

Steps:

18) Ring the Bell (door/out cue)

Steps:

19) Close Doors (Advanced)

Steps:

Progression: Door closed fully on cue in a controlled environment, then proof around distractions.

20) Tidy Toys / Put Toys Away

Steps:

Progression: Dog picks up toy and drops it in the container 8/10 times across two sessions.

Common Mistakes

• Overtraining: long sessions cause fatigue and loss of motivation. Keep sessions short and end on success.
• Rushing progression: moving to the next step before the dog is reliable leads to confusion.
• Inconsistent cues: use the same word and signal for each trick.
• Punishing: force or reprimand undermines learning and trust.
• Poor timing: late marking/treating confuses the dog about which behavior earned the reward.

Troubleshooting

• Dog not motivated: try higher-value treats, incorporate play, or train at a different time (not right after a meal).
• Too excited / over-aroused: lower excitement by training in a calmer environment and reward calm behavior.
• Freezing or avoidance: go back to an easier step or capture naturally occurring behaviors to rebuild confidence.
• Plateauing: introduce variable reinforcement, shorten sessions, or split the trick into smaller shapeable steps.
• Distractions: proof the behavior by gradually increasing distractions and practicing in multiple locations.

Timeline and Expectations

• Easy tricks (shake, touch, spin, wave): days to 2 weeks with 5–15 minute sessions daily.
• Intermediate tricks (roll over, bow, play dead, sit pretty): 2–6 weeks; success depends on dog’s physical ability and your consistency.
• Advanced tricks (closing doors, tidying toys, multi-step chains): several weeks to months of stepwise practice and proofing.

Pro Tips (Advanced Practitioners)

• Shape with small increments: reinforce tiny improvements (successive approximations).
• Backchaining: teach the last step first, then add preceding steps — powerful for multi-step tasks like tidy toys.
• Use a variable reinforcement schedule once reliable (e.g., treat every 2–4th correct) to build persistence.
• Proof behaviors: practice with distance, different handlers, locations, and distractions.
• Record sessions: video helps spot missed timing or inconsistent cues.
• Protect joints: avoid repetitive high-impact tricks for puppies or dogs with orthopedic risks.

Key Takeaways

• Keep training fun, short (5–15 min), and consistent. Use 5–10 reps per trick per session.
• Mark behavior precisely (click or “Yes!” within 0.5–1s) and reward promptly.
• Progress when the dog performs 8/10 times across two sessions without lures.
• Use shaping, backchaining and variable reinforcement for advanced tricks.
• Avoid force, maintain patience, and seek a certified trainer if stuck.

Further Reading and Sources

• Karen Pryor Academy: positive reinforcement and clicker training
• Jean Donaldson, "The Culture Clash": practical, humane training principles
• Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT): professional standards

Frequently Asked Questions