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Laugh and your dog laughs with you . . . even if you're laughing at him! One of the joys of dog cohabitation is the unabashed silliness your dog infuses into everyday life. Just as obedience is a crucial part of a successful living arrangement with a dog, so too are silly tricks an integral part of the bonding process.

If you want your dog to be well behaved and obey your commands, take an obedience class. But if you want your dog to honk a horn, play the piano, pick your pocket, and hide his head under a cushion then read this chapter! People won't be able to resist laughing as your playful pooch entertains a crowd with his antics!

Although these tricks look like pure silliness, they are based upon sound training techniques that utilize your dog's intelligence and coordination. Enjoy your funny dog!

intermediate

Honk

Bike Horn

TEACH IT:

VERBAL CUE Squeak!

Your dog bites the rubber ball of a bike horn.

1 Encourage your dog to play with a favorite squeak toy. Say "squeak!" and praise him when he produces the sound.

2 This time hold the squeak toy playfully toward him as you encourage the squeak. Keep hold of the toy in one hand, and reward him with the other when he squeaks.

3 Continuing in the same session, offer the ball end of a bike horn in place of the squeak toy. Use an excited tone of voice as you encourage your dog to "squeak!" When he produces any sound, immediately give him a treat.

WHAT TO EXPECT: If your dog is a squeak toy enthusiast, he can pick up this trick in a day. It's a great trick for waking up the kids or whenever things are too quiet around the house!

TROUBLESHOOTING

MY DOG DOESN'T BITE THE HORN HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE A SOUND The bike horn is firmer than a squeak toy, so you may have to cheat at first and

squeak the hom with your thumb as your dog mouths it. He will soon learn that the sound is the desired effect.

TIP! Some human foods can be poisonous for dogs: chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, raisins and grapes, potato peelings, tomato leaves and stems, and turkey skin.

1 Say "squeak" when your dog's toy makes a sound.

2 Hold his toy and tell him to "squeak!"

3 Use your thumb to help honk the bike horn. easy

Peekaboo!

TEACH IT:

VERBAL CU[

Paakaboc!

HAND SIGMAL

1 Position yourself with your back to your dog, legs apart.

2 Reach through your legs with a treat, and lure your dog forward until he is between your legs.

3 Allow your dog to lick and nibble at the treat in your hand. Praise him with "good peekaboo," and try to keep him in this position for 10 seconds.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Practice ten times per day, and within a week your dog should be understanding this trick. Don't be surprised if this becomes his favorite way of getting your attention!

TROUBLESHOOTING

MY DOG BITES MY HAND AS I LET HIM NIBBLE THE TREAT

Address this issue separately. Tell your dog "easy" as you allow him to take treats. If he is too rough, bop him on the nose, and say "ouch!" to let him know he hurt you.

MY DOG IS SCARED TO BE BETWEEN MY LEGS

Your dog is putiing himself in a submissive position between your legs, which requires trust. Do not force him-allow enough leash for him to back out. MY DOG IS VERY SMALL

Kneel with your knees apart to have your dog peekaboo through that smaller space.

BUILD ON IT! Once you've mastered peekaboo, build on this skill with leg weave (page 170). and choru, line kick, (page 176).

TIP! Save the word "no" for when your dog is naughty. Give either positive feedback or no feedback when teaching a new trick.

"Once, I peekaboo'd the delivery man and he said I should buy him dinner first." STEPS:

2 With your back to your dog, show him a treat.

3 Keep him in position by allowing him to nibble a treat.

easy

Doggy Push-ups

With paws planted, your dog does push-ups by alternating between lying down and standing up. Time to tum your couch potato into a hot dog-drop and give me twenty!

1 With your dog lying down (page 16) at your side, command him to �stand" while luring him up and forward with a treat. As soon as he rises, praise him and give him the treat.

2 If your dog does not respond to the food lure, use your foot to gently prod him under his belly. Reward him for standing.

3 Stand directly in front of your dog, alternating a stand and down cue to produce push- ups. Use the hand signal as well as verbal cue and for each action.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Gradually increase the number of push-up repetitions before rewarding your dog. With a solid down skill, your dog can be doing push-ups like a pro within a week!

PREREQUISITES Down (page 16)

TROUBLESHOOTING

MY DOG CREEPS FORWARD EVERY TIME HE DOES A PUSH-UP

A polished push-up has little or no movement of your dog's feet. Falling back in this manner is called a "concerto" down. Practice this body movement by putting a barrier, such as an ex-pen fence, directly in front of your dog.

TIP! A treat bag at your waist offers qUick access to rewards.

"Some of my favorite treats are noodles, hot dogs, string cheese, goldfish crackers, meatballs, green beans, and carrots."

2 From a down position, lure or prod your dog to stand.

and a stand . . .

to practice doggy push-ups!