Show-Stopper Tricks

Tricks like jumping through arm hoops, leaping over your arm or jumping into your arms look spectacular, but they put load on joints. Wait until your dog has finished growing (your vet can advise when), keep jumps low, and use a non-slip surface. Skip them for dogs with joint, back or heart problems. Always teach your dog to land on all four feet on the ground first.

Start with your arm resting on the floor and lure your dog to step over it. Mark and reward on the other side. Raise your arm only a little at a time. For an arm hoop, make a circle with your arms low down and lure through. Keep heights well below what your dog can comfortably manage, and vary the trick so you’re not repeating jumps over and over.

An orbit is a circle around your body. Lure your dog around your legs with one hand, then swap to the other hand behind your back to bring them round to the front. A spin is a tighter circle on the spot. Teach both directions so your dog’s body works evenly, and give each direction its own cue, such as “spin” and “twist”.

The shell game uses scent: let your dog watch you hide a treat under one of three cups, then cue them to find it. Shuffle slowly at first. A balance trick asks your dog to hold still with a treat on their nose until released. Keep it fair: hold only for a second or two at first, release with a clear word, and let them have the treat every time.

Tricks like a hug, a kiss or tucking your dog into a blanket “burrito” rely on your dog feeling comfortable with closeness. Never force a hug or wrap a dog who stiffens, licks their lips or turns away. Let your dog choose to come in, keep it brief and make it rewarding. These tricks are lovely for confident, cuddly dogs but aren’t right for every personality.