5 easy tricks to teach your dog

Keeping your dog's brain active is an important part of their wellbeing. Learning commands and tricks gives your dog mental stimulation and helps stop them becoming bored. It's also a fun way for you both to bond.

Like us, dogs need to be mentally stimulated, and most enjoy learning new things.

Here are five easy tricks to teach your dog. Whatever you're teaching, use small treats and plenty of enthusiasm when your dog gets it right. Keep sessions short and stop while your dog is still enjoying it.

1. Shake hands

Many dogs naturally lift a paw when they want a treat, so this trick is often easy to teach.

1. Ask your dog to sit and hold the position for a few seconds.
2. Hold a treat in your closed hand and slowly move it towards the ground near your dog's paw.
3. Your dog will often lift their paw towards your hand. When they lift their paw, say "shake", then give them the treat and praise them.
4. Keep practising, gradually raising your hand so your dog lifts their paw higher.

The aim is for your dog to lift their paw to about chest height when you say "shake".

2. High five

Once your dog has mastered "shake", "high five" is much easier.

1. Follow the same steps as for "shake", but hold your palm open and flat, facing your dog.
2. As your dog's paw touches your palm, say "high five", then reward them.
3. Repeat often, so your dog learns the difference between "high five" and "shake".

Over time, you can raise your hand so your dog lifts their paw higher to touch your palm.

3. Touch

In this trick, your dog touches your hand with their nose. It's a useful way to move your dog or get their attention.

1. Hold your flat hand a little way from your dog's nose.
2. Most dogs will sniff it. The moment their nose touches your hand, say "touch", then reward them.
3. Practise moving your hand to different positions so your dog follows it.

4. Spin

1. Hold a treat near your dog's nose.
2. Slowly move it in a wide circle at their head height, so they turn to follow it.
3. When they complete the circle, say "spin", then give them the treat.
4. Over time, use a smaller hand movement until your dog spins with just the word and a small gesture.

5. Roll over

Teach this trick on a soft surface, such as a rug or grass.

1. Ask your dog to lie down.
2. Hold a treat by their nose and slowly move it towards their shoulder, so they roll onto their side.
3. Keep moving the treat over their back so they roll all the way over.
4. When they do, say "roll over", then reward them.

Go slowly and don't push your dog over. If your dog seems uncomfortable lying on their back or has joint or back problems, choose a different trick.