Looking for a fun way to bond with your pup, build their confidence, and maybe impress a few neighbors along the way? Teaching tricks is one of the easiest ways to get started. Whether you’ve got one of the smartest dog breeds or a hopelessly adorable pup like Alex's dog, George (who flunked the viral cheese test 🤭), there are plenty of beginner-friendly and easy tricks to teach your dog that are just as rewarding to teach as they are to learn. These can also be a great way to engage young family members—especially if you’re training one of the best dog breeds for kids!
To set your dog up for success, longtime trainer Sally Grottini recommends starting in a calm space. "The key to keeping the dog's attention when training anything is to do it all in a quiet, non-distracting place such as a room in the home," says Grottini, who has more than 30 years of experience in obedience, therapy, and service dog training. Then, once the trick is solid, "gradually move to more distracting places." And he cautions against expecting too much, too soon: "If at anytime the dog cannot pay attention, you have moved to the next area too fast."
Just as important as the environment? Your attitude. "Never show anger if the dog does not perform," Grottini says. "They need to trust you not to put them in those situations."
Ready to get started? These beginner tricks are a great place to begin!
1. Hand Touch
Hold a treat between two fingers and offer your palm. When your dog touches your hand with their nose, reward them.
2. Sit
An oldie but a goodie. Use a treat to guide your dog’s head upward—when their rear hits the ground, praise and treat. “Sit is very easy to train—just hold the treat above the head and say the cue 'sit.' If needed, put the dog near a wall, as some just try to back up, but the wall will prevent that,” says Grottini.
3. Down
From a sitting position, slowly lower a treat to the ground between your dog’s paws. Reward when they follow it and lie down.
4. Spin
Hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly guide them in a circle. Once they follow the full rotation, give them the treat. “Spin is also very easy to train. Just hold a treat in front of the dog and turn it in a circle for the dog to follow. Add the cue ‘spin,’ and the dog will quickly pick it up,” says Grottini.
5. Shake
Gently lift your dog’s paw while saying “shake.” Treat immediately, and repeat until they offer it on their own. “The easiest trick would be to shake or give a paw. Dogs will often paw the owner for attention, and this is a great time to put a cue to that trick,” Grottini explains. “You can also turn that into a high five by raising your hand higher,” she adds.
6. High Five
Once your dog has mastered “shake,” hold your hand flat. When they reach up to touch it, say “high five!” and reward.
7. Roll Over
Ask for a “down,” then guide a treat from their nose toward their shoulder to encourage them to roll. Reward each small step.
8. Take a Bow
Catch this behavior naturally after stretching or guide your pup to lower their front while keeping their back end up.
9. Leave It
Place a treat on the ground, cover it with your hand, and say “leave it.” When they stop trying to get it, reward with a different treat.
10. Watch Me
Hold a treat between your eyes and say “watch me.” Reward when your dog holds eye contact for a few seconds.
11. Place
Choose a specific mat or bed. Guide your dog to step on it and lie down. Reward and release them after a few seconds.
12. Crawl
From a “down,” slowly pull a treat away along the ground, encouraging your dog to move forward without standing up.
13. Peekaboo
Stand with legs shoulder-width apart, then lure your dog through your legs from behind. Reward when they stop between your legs.
14. Speak
Encourage a bark by ringing a doorbell or knocking, then say “speak!” and reward when they do it on command.
15. Touch Target
Hold out an object (like a sticky note) and reward when your dog touches it with their nose—just like a hand touch but with more versatility.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
