Trick Training

 

 
  The tricks workstation is a new addition in 2008, and is currently under development.  It is intended that there will be a series of five levels of tricks.  Ideally people should move from the easier tricks with their dog through to the harder ones.  Tricks get your dog thinking and focused on you, which can only be a plus in dog sports like flyball.

A number of the tricks, are actually foundation skills for flyball, and can be used to help your flyball training, some are just fun, and others to impress!  When a few people know a series of tricks we would like to incorporate tricks in our flyball demonstrations to demonstrate how versatile our dogs can be.   Be aware, not every trick is for every dog.  Some tricks are physically challenging for some shapes of dogs, or should not be attempted with older or younger dogs (eg standing on hind legs).  Remember, the aim of the game is to have fun and learn, if your dog isn't enthusiastic, think about a way to make it more fun for them, or possibly try another trick that may be more suited to their personality!

When you reach level 4, you should be able to start devising your own trick sequences, and writing some new trick cards for us...

The trick cards are colour coded according to the level.  Some of the tricks have pre-requisite skills, and building on the knowledge/skill gained in training for an earlier trick.  Trick cards for all the tricks below have not been developed yet, but will be as time allows.

Look up trick training and Canine Freestyle on the internet, and get some cool ideas on things you can do with your dogs

eg  http://www.dogtrickacademy.com

 

 
 

Level Zero:  Basic Skills and Concepts to understand before diving into some serious trick training.

Sit, Drop, Stay, Come

Clicker Charging

The Shaping Game

Focus Work (Look/Watch)

Release Word

Building Food Motivation

Building Toy/Tug Drive

 

 
 

Level One:  Tricks to start you and your Dog Performing

Nose Touch

Shake (Give me Paw)

Twist and Spin

Centre (Giddy Up)

Stand

Mat (an exercise in shaping)

Hold and Give

Jump

Pull (Tuggy)

Perch

Take

Fetch (Retrieve a moving object)

Capturing a Natural Behaviour

 

 
 

Level Two:  Here are some tricks to Impress your Friends

Heel (Shadow Handling/Circle Work)

Centre Walking

Touch-stick

Front (Advanced Perchwork for rear end awareness))

Side

Close

Bow

Beg

Dance

Roll-over

Back-up

Retrieve

Jump thru Hoop

Jump over leg

Circles (Round)

High 5/High 10

Wave

Retrieve a stationery object

Walking Backwards

Weave between Legs

Using a Skateboard

 

 
 

Level Three:  Now you are ready to perform, here are some advanced tricks to add to your reportoire

Heel-Twist

Stepping/March

Shy

Say Prayers

Jump through arms (two person)

Walking Backwards

Congo

Turn Backs

Jump on Back (2 person)

Jump over arms or other body part (two person)

Backup between legs (from a distance)

Side Walking

Distance circles

Circle Backwards around handler

Weave between legs

Pole Work

Stationery retrieve

Pop (Jumping on the spot)

Skipping rope (2-3 person trick to train)

Achoo (Get a tissue)

Hop/Walk on Hind legs

 

 
 

Level Four:  Some Challenges for the K9 Superstars, and their trainers

Sequencing Tricks

Backwards weave

Multidog tricks:  Dog jumping over and going under another dog

Deliver

Get a drink from an esky

Get creative using props.

What next – Dog Dancing? – Making up your own tricks.