Paw & Body Tricks

Teaching your dog to touch their nose to your palm (sometimes called “boop” or “touch”) unlocks loads of other tricks. Hold a flat hand a few centimetres from their nose. Most dogs sniff it out of curiosity, so mark and reward that touch. Move your hand a little further each time. Later, you can transfer the touch to a sticky note, a bell or a light switch.

Start with a paw-give: hold a treat in a closed fist low down and wait for a paw to paw at it, then mark. Raise your hand slightly so the paw lifts higher for a high five. For a wave, move your hand away just before contact so the paw waves in the air. A “salute” or “shy” is shaped by placing a small sticky note on the muzzle and rewarding the paw that swipes it.

Many dogs don’t realise they have back legs! Teaching a backwards walk improves coordination. Stand facing your dog in a narrow space, like a hallway, and step gently towards them. Mark any backward step and toss the treat behind them. Build up to several steps. Body awareness tricks like this are great for confidence and help with tricks like crossing paws and spinning.

For leg weaves, stand with feet apart and lure your dog through the gap with a treat, then around one leg. Step forward with the other leg and lure through again. For peekaboo, lure your dog through your legs from behind and pause them in a stand, head peeping out at the front. Keep movements slow and smooth so your dog never feels squashed.

Sitting up on the haunches, sometimes called “beg” or “sit pretty”, needs real core strength. It isn’t suitable for every dog. Puppies, older dogs, long-backed breeds and dogs with hip, back or knee problems should skip it unless your vet agrees. If your dog is fit, build up slowly with a support such as your hand or a wall behind them, and only hold it for a second or two at first.