Trick Number 2 - "Down"

The second trick is, again a basic one that all dogs should know - "Down".

Kyra Sundance suggests teaching this trick through luring and, if your dog will follow a food lure, this is a good way to do it. Start with the treat in front of your dog's nose and slowly move it down to the floor. Your dog should follow it and, hopefully, lie down.

Small dogs and puppies have a harder time following the lure as they can easily reach the floor without lying down. For these dogs I reccomend capturing the down. Put your dog in a relatively boring place (either a playpen for smaller dogs or in the bathroom for larger ones) and wait. Don't interact with your dog at all (you may want to take a book). Eventually your dog will lie down. Mark the moment he does so with a click or a "yes!" and give the dog a treat. If you repeat in lots of short sessions your dog will soon learn that lying down earns him a treat and will do so more readily. At this point you can start to add your cue by sying "Down" as your dog lies down.

Here are Kota and Sparky and "Down":

Finally! Trick Number 1 - Sit

Sorry for the long wait. We were having technology problems. All sorted now!

The first trick in the book is a very simple one. Sit.

Kyra Sundance and Chalcy reccomend teaching Sit using the lure-and-reward method. Both Sparky and Kota are clicker trained and Sit was taught through capture.

Here we go, Sparky and Kota show off their Sits!

The Challenge is set!

I recently bought the book 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance and Chalcy with the intention of getting a few ideas for Sparky and Kota.

And then I thought "Why just use a few of the tricks when there's 101 of them?". And so the challenge was born!

I will start at the beginning of 101 Dog Tricks and work my way to the end teaching each trick to one or other or both of my dogs. And I will blog about my progress with each trick with pretty pictures and videos for you all to enjoy!

Feel free to play along if you want!

We'll be back soon with Trick Number 1 - "Sit".

Abigail, Sparky and Kota.

101 Dog Tricks

A new challenge!

To be up-dated soon.

Promise!