An introduction to trick training

WITH DR CAROLINE HOWES

TEXT: DR CAROLINE HOWES

INSTAGRAM: @BEYONDTHEBORDERINARY

So why is it worth training tricks with your dog? Admittedly, it can seem a little frivolous at first glance, especially given all our other responsibilities as pet owners and just how busy life can get, but this past year, in particular, I have learned just how handy training tricks can be! 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

My interest in trick training began while raising my first puppy, Kipling. Kip is a border collie straight from a sheep farm in the Northern Cape, and his ideal day involves hours and hours of mental and physical work. So, when he injured his hind leg at six months old, his rest period looked pretty daunting to me (and I assume, to him too). 

As I considered what I could do with Kipling to keep him occupied while his leg healed, I came across trick training, and Kip and I began working on more and more complex tricks as we progressed through his recovery. The mental exercise helped him thrive and took the edge off of his frustration and boredom, and by nine months old, he and I had a closer bond than ever before, and he knew over 70 tricks and cues!

LESSONS LEARNED

So, when trying to answer the opening question of why it is worth training tricks, Kipling's story gives us the answers. Firstly, training tricks helps alleviate boredom for dogs of all ages and temperaments. By exercising your dog's brain and giving them a productive outlet, you are less likely to see all sorts of undesirable behaviours from your dog (e.g. chewing furniture, digging up the garden, barking, etc.). And while tricks are not a complete replacement for good oldfashioned physical exercise, they certainly help release some excess energy. This makes them extra helpful for dogs recovering from injury or those who find the outside world a little scary or overwhelming and need something else to focus on.

If done in a kind and positive way, trick training also enhances your bond with your canine companion and increases your pup's confidence. Working together to solve problems in the form of tricks helps you and your dog communicate more efficiently and better understand each other's body language. Your dog also learns how to better use their brain and body, which can help them feel more self-assured. Building this confidence can be especially important for nervous dogs or new rescue pups.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, training tricks is fun! It is an activity that dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes and temperaments can love. I have yet to meet a dog who does not enjoy learning new skills and tricks once they have figured out how the game works. And, it is not just fun for the dogs! Friends and family will love seeing the fruits of you and your pup's labour. What could be cuter than watching your pooch tidy his toys neatly into a toy box or balance a treat perfectly on his nose?

GIVE IT A GO!

So if you are convinced to give trick training a try, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Choose appropriate tricks for your dog. Trick training is supposed to be fun for you and your dog, so choose tricks your dog can perform with ease. When thinking about what tricks to teach, it is important to consider both your dog's mental and physical well-being, especially at the start of your training journey. This means that you may want to begin with tricks your pup can pick up quickly, like spinning in a circle or sitting in between your legs. Additionally, think of what your dog is physically capable of. For example, puppies should not be doing high impact jumping tricks, and your senior dog probably doesn't want to either. 

• Start in a calm, quiet environment. One key element of dog training is to set your dog up for success. Reducing distractions for you and your pup will ensure that you both can focus on the task at hand. This means turning off the television, muting your cell phone, and keeping other pets out of the way. 

• Keep training sessions short and fun. You don't need to train for hours at a time for your dog to learn some fun new tricks. Start with just five minutes a day before you feed your pup breakfast or dinner. Keep the pressure low during these sessions too. If you or your dog are getting frustrated, reward your pup for the last bit of work they have done and end your session for the day. 

• Use high-value treats and don't be stingy with them (provided your dog does not have an issue with obesity). One of the best ways to keep your canine partner engaged is to reward them with a snack they really love. Treats like ham, viennas, and boiled chicken are generally super desirable for most pups (including my very picky border collie). Reward your dog heavily for their trick training work (especially initially). Anytime you see a behaviour close to what you are looking for, give your pup a treat. Rewards are key to cementing the new behaviour in their brain.

• Pay attention to what you are marking and rewarding. Timing is everything when it comes to dog training! If you reward your dog at the wrong time, you are probably not teaching them what you want to. This is why many trick trainers use a clicker (or a 'marker word') to tell the dog they are right at the exact moment they offer the desired behaviour. Your timing with this will improve with practice, but one way to help see if you are getting it right is to video your sessions so you can look back at your timing and see if you are indeed rewarding your dog for the desired behaviour.

• Break hard tricks into multiple pieces for easier training. This is especially important as you progress to more complicated tricks. For instance, if you want your dog to put a ring on a stick ('ring toss'), you first need to teach your dog separately to pick up the ring and approach the stick before asking for the full behaviour. Understanding how to break down tricks into more manageable parts is another skill that comes with time. 

THE FUTURE

Once you start trick training, the sky's the limit! There are tons of great trick tutorials and ideas floating around social media to inspire you and some really great titles and certifications for you and your pup to work towards. But be warned, once you've started, you won't stop - trick training is addictive!