Absolutely! Show your dog an egg as you tell him to “scent,” and send him on his way. Be warned—the eggs may be eaten before they make it into the basket!
PREREQUISITES Stay (page 18)
TIP!Consistently hide eight treats before dinnertime. Your dog will come to inherently know the number of treats to be found, and you will have several minutes of peace while preparing his dinner.
Scent Find it VERBAL CUE intermediate
“I looooove this game! I know all the hiding places and can find all the treats before my owner is finished making my dinner.”
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Let’s Play a Game 99 STEPS:
Hold a treat to your dog’s nose and tell him “scent.”
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Place the treat in the next room and run with him to find it.
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Hide a ball instead of a treat.
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Hide several treats and see how many your dog can find.
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Place the treat a few feet away. Send your dog to “find it!”
Reward your dog for bringing the ball back.
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100 101 Dog Tricks
Ring Toss
TEACH IT:
Your dog maneuvers rings onto an upright pole.
Introduce your dog to the pole by tapping it and saying “target” (page 145). Practice the targetskill a few times by rewarding your dog each time he touches the pole.
Plastic diving rings can be purchased at pool supply stores. Hand your dog a ring and have him take it(page 24). You’ll want him to hold the north side of the ring, with it circling his chin.
With the ring in his mouth, cue your dog to touch the target.
Once your dog is able to touch the target while holding the ring in his mouth, offer his treat near the top of the pole and instruct him to drop it(page 26). Reward your dog for dropping the ring anywhere near the pole.
As your dog improves, reward him only for dropping the ring onto the pole. Tap the pole to focus his attention and lure his head forward with a treat until the bottom of the ring catches on the pole. Tell him to “drop it” and immediately praise him and give him the treat if the ring lands on the pole. If the ring misses the pole, say “whoops!” and try again.
Once your dog has mastered this skill, ask him to pick up the ring from the ground or from another pole instead of from your hand. He might pick it up holding the south side of the ring, which will probably cause him to miss the pole. Through trial and error he will discover on his own that he needs to hold the north side. If he does pick up the south side, he will learn to relax his grip, allowing the ring to swivel downward. Dogs are very smart!
WHAT TO EXPECT: Although this trick looks incredibly difficult, dogs often pick it up easier than you would expect! Practice only about five times per session in the beginning, as it can be frustrating for your dog.
Remember to end with a successful attempt.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
MY DOG GETS THE RING ON THE POLE, BUT IMMEDIATELY TAKES IT OFF AGAIN Your dog is excited and forgetting to let go of the ring. When he gets the ring partially on the pole, hold your finger to the top of the pole to prevent him from removing the ring.
He’ll quickly get the idea.
BUILD ON IT!This skill can be translated into dropping a coin into a piggy bank or maneuvering the ring onto your extended arm.
PREREQUISITES Take it (page 24) Target (page 145) Drop it (page 26)
Ring it VERBAL CUE expert
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Let’s Play a Game 101 STEPS:
Identify the pole as the target.
1 4 Offer a treat near the top of the pole.
Have your dog pick up the ring from another pole.
6 Vary the trick by holding the pole yourself.
Focus his attention to the pole until the bottom of the ring catches.
5 Instruct him to “drop it.”
Reward your dog for getting the ring on the pole.
Hand your dog the ring by its north side.
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Shell Game
TEACH IT:
In this classic con game, a pea is placed beneath one of three shells.
After the con man quickly shuffles the shells, the audience bets on which one hides the pea. No sleight of hand can trick your nosy dog as he sniffs out the pea!
Start with just one clay flower pot on the floor. Rub the inside with a treat to give it lots of scent. Let your dog watch as you place a treat on the floor and cover it with
the pot. Encourage him to “find it!” (page 98.) When he noses or paws the pot, praise him and lift it to reward him with the treat.
After your dog catches on, which shouldn’t take long, hold the pot in place and keep encouraging him until he paws at it. Tap his wrist or use the word “shake” (page 23) to give him the idea to use his paw.
Reward any paw contact by lifting the pot. Strive for a soft paw indication and do not allow your dog to tip the pot over by himself.
Add two more pots and mark the scented one so you don’t forget! In a soft voice, tell your dog to “find it!” Tap the first pot to direct his nose there, and then the second, and third. If your dog paws at an incorrect pot, do not lift it, but rather say “whoops” and encourage him to keep looking. Use the pitch of your voice to calm your dog as he diligently sniffs each pot and to excite him when he shows interest in the correct one. If your dog loses interest, quickly lift and set back down the correct pot to show him the treat. Hold the pots firmly in place while your dog sniffs to prevent him from pawing one over by himself.
Place the pots on a low table for an added challenge. Place a treat under one and shift them all around. Your dog should indicate the correct cup with a soft paw.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Scenting tricks can be mentally tiring for your dog. Be gentle with your negative feedback. Only practice a few times per session and end with a successful attempt.
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