Teaching your dog a few tricks is about a lot more than party pieces. A short daily session keeps your dog's mind busy, strengthens the bond between you, and burns off the kind of energy that otherwise turns into chewed shoes. The best part is you do not need any special skills to start, just a handful of treats, a quiet spot, and ten minutes a day.
Before you start
Set yourself up for an easy win. Pick a calm room with no distractions, keep sessions short, and train just before meals when your dog is hungry and motivated. Use small, soft treats your dog can eat in one bite so the lesson keeps moving, and always finish on a trick your dog already knows so every session ends on a happy note.
A little gear makes training smoother. A hands-free leash with built-in treat storage keeps rewards within reach on walks, and a slow feeder puzzle is a great way to keep your dog's brain working between sessions.
Sit
Sit is the foundation for almost every other trick. Hold a treat just above your dog's nose, then move it slowly back over their head. As their nose follows the treat, their bottom drops to the floor on its own. The moment they sit, say "Sit", give the treat, and praise them. A few short rounds a day and most dogs have it within a week.
Shake or paw
With your dog in a sit, hold a treat in a closed hand near their chest. Most dogs will paw at your hand to get to it. As the paw lifts, say "Shake", open your hand, and reward. After a few rounds, hold out an empty hand and your dog will offer the paw on cue.
High five
High five builds straight off shake. Once your dog lifts their paw on cue, raise your open hand a little higher and turn the palm to face them. When their paw meets your hand, say "High five" and reward. It looks impressive and usually takes a day or two once shake is solid.
Lie down
From a sit, hold a treat at your dog's nose and lower it slowly to the floor between their front paws. As they follow it down, their elbows drop and they lie flat. Say "Down", reward, and release. If your dog keeps standing up, go slower and reward the halfway point first, then build from there.
Stay
Ask your dog to sit, hold up a flat palm, and say "Stay". Wait one second, then reward before they move. Slowly build the time, then add one step back, then two. Keep it easy at first and always walk back to your dog to reward them, rather than calling them out of the stay. Patience here pays off in every other trick.
Spin
Spin is pure fun and a good way to burn energy on a rainy day. Hold a treat at your dog's nose and lead it in a slow circle so they turn to follow. As they finish the turn, say "Spin" and reward. Once they know the motion, you can drop the treat and use just a finger circle in the air.
Keep it fun
Dogs learn fastest when training feels like play. Reward quickly so your dog connects the treat with the right move, never train when you are frustrated, and mix in a favourite toy now and then. A round of fetch with an interactive rebound ball or a tug on a cotton rope toy is a great way to celebrate a good session. You will find plenty more options in our dog and cat toys collection.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to teach a dog a new trick?
Most dogs pick up a simple trick like sit or shake within a week of short daily sessions. More involved tricks like stay can take two to three weeks. Consistency matters far more than how long each session lasts.
What age can you start training a puppy?
You can start gentle training as early as eight weeks old. Keep the sessions very short and playful, and stick to easy wins like sit and responding to their name before moving on.
What treats work best for dog training?
Use small, soft treats your dog can eat in one bite so training keeps flowing. Tiny pieces of their regular food work well too, especially if you train just before meals when they are hungry and focused.
My dog gets bored during training. What can I do?
Keep sessions under ten minutes, always end on a trick they already know, and add a short play break with a favourite toy. A puzzle feeder between sessions also keeps their mind busy without tiring them out.