Building Advanced Trick Training: A Comprehensive Guide

Trick training is more than just teaching your dog to "shake" or "roll over." It's a fantastic way to build a stronger bond, provide mental stimulation, and improve your dog's overall fitness and confidence. Advanced trick training takes this to the next level, challenging both you and your canine companion to learn complex routines and behaviors. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to build advanced trick training skills, no matter where you are in the world.

Why Advanced Trick Training?

Before diving into the specifics, let's consider the benefits of advanced trick training:

• Enhanced Bonding: The shared experience of learning and achieving goals strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.
• Mental Stimulation: Trick training provides crucial mental enrichment, preventing boredom and reducing the likelihood of destructive behaviors. This is particularly important for intelligent breeds like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Poodles.
• Improved Obedience: Trick training builds a solid foundation for general obedience, as it requires focus, communication, and cooperation.
• Physical Fitness: Many tricks involve physical activity, improving your dog's coordination, balance, and muscle strength.
• Increased Confidence: Successfully learning new tricks boosts your dog's confidence, making them more resilient and adaptable in various situations.
• Fun and Engaging: Trick training is a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your dog!

Laying the Foundation: Essential Pre-Requisites

Advanced trick training builds upon a solid foundation of basic obedience and foundational tricks. Before embarking on more complex routines, ensure your dog has mastered the following:

• Basic Obedience: Sit, stay, down, come, leave it, heel. These commands provide the necessary control and communication skills.
• Foundational Tricks: Shake, spin, roll over, play dead. These tricks introduce your dog to the concepts of shaping, luring, and capturing.
• Focus and Attention: Your dog should be able to maintain focus and attention for short periods, even in distracting environments.
• Positive Reinforcement: A strong understanding of positive reinforcement techniques is crucial. Use high-value treats, praise, or toys to reward desired behaviors.

Key Training Principles for Advanced Tricks

Advanced trick training requires patience, consistency, and a deep understanding of learning principles. Here are some key concepts to keep in mind:

Shaping

Shaping involves breaking down a complex behavior into small, manageable steps and rewarding successive approximations of the desired outcome. For example, if you want to teach your dog to jump through a hoop, you might start by rewarding them for simply approaching the hoop, then for touching it with their nose, then for putting their head through, and finally for jumping through completely. This method is effective because it allows your dog to learn at their own pace and avoids frustration.

Example: Teaching a dog to retrieve a specific item (e.g., a toy by name). Start by rewarding the dog for looking at the toy, then touching it, then picking it up, then bringing it closer to you, and finally delivering it to your hand.

Luring

Luring involves using a treat or toy to guide your dog into the desired position or movement. This is a great way to introduce new tricks, especially those that require specific body movements. However, it's important to fade the lure as quickly as possible to avoid reliance on it.

Example: Teaching a dog to bow. Hold a treat near their nose and move it downwards, encouraging them to lower their front end while keeping their rear end up. As they start to understand the movement, gradually fade the lure and use a verbal cue instead.

Capturing

Capturing involves rewarding a behavior that your dog already performs naturally. This is a great way to add variety to your training and discover new tricks. For example, if your dog naturally stretches after waking up, you can capture this behavior by saying a cue word ("stretch") as they perform it and rewarding them afterwards.

Example: Teaching a dog to yawn on cue. Observe when your dog naturally yawns and say your cue word ("yawn") just before they do. Reward them immediately after they yawn. With repetition, they will begin to associate the cue word with the yawn and eventually perform it on command.

Chaining

Chaining involves linking together a series of individual tricks or behaviors to create a more complex routine. This is the foundation of advanced trick training, allowing you to create impressive and entertaining performances.

Example: A simple chain could involve "sit," "shake," and "down." A more complex chain might involve jumping through a hoop, weaving through your legs, and then retrieving a ball.

Positive Reinforcement

Always use positive reinforcement methods, such as treats, praise, and toys, to reward desired behaviors. Avoid punishment or harsh corrections, as these can damage your relationship with your dog and hinder their learning progress. Remember to keep training sessions short and fun to maintain your dog's enthusiasm.

Consistency

Consistency is key to success in any type of dog training. Use the same cues, commands, and reward systems consistently. This will help your dog understand what you're asking of them and avoid confusion. Short, frequent training sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.

Advanced Trick Training Techniques

Now that we've covered the foundational principles, let's explore some advanced trick training techniques:

Prop Work

Incorporating props into your trick training can add a new level of challenge and visual appeal. Some popular props include hoops, barrels, platforms, and skateboards. Introduce props gradually, allowing your dog to become comfortable with them before asking them to perform specific tricks.

Example: Teaching your dog to jump over a barrel. Start by rewarding them for approaching the barrel, then for putting their paws on it, and finally for jumping over it. Gradually increase the height of the barrel as they become more confident.

Distance Work

Distance work involves teaching your dog to perform tricks from a distance. This requires a high level of focus and communication and is a great way to improve your dog's obedience skills.

Example: Ask your dog to "sit" or "down" from across the room. Start with a short distance and gradually increase it as they become more proficient.

Combining Tricks into Routines

The ultimate goal of advanced trick training is to combine individual tricks into a seamless routine. This requires careful planning and choreography, as well as a strong understanding of chaining principles.

Example: A routine could start with your dog jumping through a hoop, then weaving through your legs, then retrieving a ball, and finally placing it in a basket.

Examples of Advanced Tricks

Here are some examples of advanced tricks you can teach your dog:

• Playing dead with a bang: Teaching your dog to fall over dramatically when you say "bang."
• Crawling: Teaching your dog to move forward in a prone position.
• Backing up on cue: Teaching your dog to move backwards in a straight line.
• Leg weaving: Teaching your dog to weave in and out of your legs as you walk.
• Head down (bury head): Teaching your dog to put their head down on the floor or on your lap.
• Fetch specific items by name: Teaching your dog to retrieve specific toys or objects when you name them.
• Opening and closing doors/drawers: This requires breaking down the action into small steps and using shaping.
• Playing basketball: Teaching your dog to pick up a ball and drop it into a mini basketball hoop.
• Riding a skateboard: Requires careful introduction and positive reinforcement.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges

Even with the best training techniques, you may encounter challenges along the way. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

• Lack of Motivation: If your dog seems uninterested in training, try using higher-value treats or toys. You can also vary your training sessions to keep them engaging. Ensure your dog isn't tired or stressed before starting a session.
• Difficulty Understanding: If your dog is struggling to understand a particular trick, break it down into even smaller steps. Use clear and consistent cues, and avoid overwhelming them with too much information at once.
• Distractions: Train in a quiet environment with minimal distractions. Gradually introduce distractions as your dog becomes more proficient.
• Regression: Sometimes, dogs may regress in their training, especially when learning new tricks. Be patient and go back to the basics. Reinforce previously learned behaviors to rebuild their confidence.

Adapting Training for Different Breeds and Personalities

Different breeds and individual dogs have varying levels of energy, trainability, and motivation. Tailor your training approach to suit your dog's specific needs and personality.

• High-Energy Breeds: Breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Trick training is a great way to channel their energy and prevent boredom.
• Independent Breeds: Breeds like Shiba Inus and Huskies can be more challenging to train due to their independent nature. Use high-value rewards and keep training sessions short and engaging.
• Sensitive Dogs: Some dogs are more sensitive to pressure and corrections. Use gentle, positive reinforcement methods and avoid harsh language or physical punishment.

Trick Training Resources Worldwide

Many organizations and resources worldwide offer trick training programs and certifications. Here are a few examples:

• Do More With Your Dog! (International): Offers trick dog titles and online courses.
• American Kennel Club (AKC) (USA): Offers trick dog titles as part of their Canine Good Citizen program.
• The Kennel Club (UK): Offers various dog training programs and resources.
• Local Dog Training Clubs: Many local dog training clubs around the world offer trick training classes and workshops. Search online for clubs in your area.
• Online Resources: YouTube channels and websites dedicated to dog trick training offer tutorials and inspiration.

Safety Considerations

Always prioritize your dog's safety during trick training. Avoid tricks that put undue stress on their joints or back. Ensure they have adequate space to move around and avoid training in extreme weather conditions. Supervise your dog closely during training and stop if they show signs of fatigue or discomfort.

Building a Trick Training Routine

Creating a regular trick training routine is crucial for maintaining your dog's skills and preventing boredom. Aim for short, frequent sessions (5-10 minutes) several times a week. Vary the tricks you practice to keep things interesting and challenging. Remember to end each session on a positive note, rewarding your dog for their efforts.

Advanced Trick Training and Dog Sports

Advanced trick training can be a great stepping stone to other dog sports, such as agility, freestyle, and obedience. The skills and confidence your dog gains through trick training will benefit them in these other activities.

Conclusion

Building advanced trick training skills is a rewarding journey that strengthens the bond between you and your dog, enhances their mental and physical well-being, and unlocks their full potential. By following the principles and techniques outlined in this guide, you can embark on an exciting adventure of learning and discovery with your canine companion. Remember to be patient, consistent, and always focus on positive reinforcement. Happy training!