Pets Information
 
Web World-SuperSite

Train Your Buddy To "Walk" & "Dance" - Warning: Not All Dogs Can Do It!


Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that put an abnormal strain upon the muscles of the back and hind legs and most dogs require considerable practice before they gain sufficient control of those muscles to balance themselves in this unnatural position.

Before you rush into teaching this trick, bear in mind that not all dogs can do this trick, especially the big dogs such as St. Bernard or Great Dane as it is almost physically impossible for them to perform such trick. Sorry. This trick is not for you - Big dog owners!

A dog should first be taught to sit up and after he will do this well, hold a small piece of treat just above his nose and say "Up," when he will elevate himself just a trifle to get it, and should be allowed to eat it. Give him daily practice at this, making him reach a little higher from day to day until he can balance himself on his hind feet.

Do not keep him at these lessons too long at any one time, as they are very fatiguing, and you must give the muscles plenty of time in which to grow strong, so that he can sustain himself more easily. After he can stand up he should be taught to walk by slowly moving the treat from him, and he will be induced to take first one step and then another toward it. Reward him frequently by letting him have the treat and be careful not to tire him.

Dancing Dog

After a dog can stand erect and walk on his hind legs he can be taught to dance, which consists simply in hopping around on the hind legs and at short intervals turning around.

The simplest method of teaching this trick is to attach a piece of treat to a string, four or five feet long; hold the treat in tempting proximity to the dog's nose, and so high that he will stand on his hind legs to get to it, and then slowly move it around and he will follow after it any way that you may select. Give a command such as "Dance" to associate this trick with. Say the command when you tempt him with the treat.

Do not keep him at it too long and reward him frequently, so as to keep up his enthusiasm. In the early lessons, your dog simply follows the treat because he wants the reward attached to the end of it, nevertheless with regular practice, your dog will still dance for you even without the reward treat. Over time, he should be able to dance at command and for an occasional reward. Till then, he can be accustomed to dancing when dressed up in fantastic apparel.

Standing On Forelegs

This is one of the most difficult tricks to teach, and you most probably see this trick only in a circus as the position of standing on the front feet alone with the head down and the hind legs elevated is an unnatural one. It will be a long time before your dog learns to balance himself.

However, it is not totally impossible to teach your dog such trick, provided that you put in consistent amount of effort and time to teach and train him. (This trick is mainly for smaller and toy breed dogs only, most big dogs are physically incapable of doing this trick)

To teach this trick, provide yourself with a light cane or a stick, about two feet long. Hold the stick in your right hand and place it under the dog's stomach, raising his hindquarters with the stick and at the same time placing your left hand on his head, so as to prevent his moving away, thereby forcing him to retain his reversed position; as the dog rises into position the stick should be gradually moved back from his belly until it supports only his hind feet.

Use a command such as "On your head" to associate this trick with and repeat it distinctively during training and remember don't save on your praises and treats when your dog is progressing and learning. He need plentiful of them to further encourage him to learn the trick.

Repeat this operation at successive lessons until the dog understands what is expected of him and learns to balance himself with but very little assistance or support from the stick, and finally with none at all. Eventually he will learn to take the position at the order, "on your head," without assistance from the hand or switch.

After a dog can balance himself on his forefeet he can be taught easily to take a few steps by standing in front and calling him to you, and as he gains confidence and experience can be made to walk quite a distance.

Your dog may or may not master any of these tricks mention above. For all you might know, he could be a lazy dog, or maybe you are a lousy teacher. In any case, tricks are still tricks; you shouldn't be bothered if your buddy can't perform them because I know you will still love him for what he is, and not performing tricks to entertain friends or yourself.

About the Author:
Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner of DogsObedienceTraining.com - The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog.

You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.


MORE RESOURCES:

Pets left behind after Coppell tragedy adopted
Dallas Morning News (blog)
Coppell Neighborsgo editor Greg Tepper reports that all six pets left behind when Coppell Mayor Jayne Peters killed herself and daughter Corinne have been ...
Coppell pets left behind by Peters tragedy settling into new homesDallas Morning News (blog)

all 2 news articles »


17 dead pets found in Oregon school's freezer
Seattle Post Intelligencer
School officials say a custodian cleaning up a trailer at an Oregon school found 17 dead pets in a freezer, including six cats. ...
Custodian at North Portland school discovers 17 dead pets in freezerOregonLive.com

all 2 news articles »


This Dish Is Veg (blog)

Attention New Yorkers and Pet Lovers! Adoptapalooza Returns to NYC's ...
PR Newswire (press release)
PEOPLEpets.com), PEOPLE magazine's website for animal lovers and their pets. A new feature of the event is the participation of members the New York Breed ...
Adoptapalooza event to help homeless pets this Sunday in NYCThis Dish Is Veg (blog)

all 9 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

New York Fashion Week: It's on, pets
Boston Globe
It's Anna Wintour, "Gossip Girl" Blake Lively in a graphic, beaded, and appropriate dress (T-4 days until the season premiere: ooh-la-la! ...
Strap on your combat stilettos: It's Fashion's Night OutDallas Morning News
Fashion Statement in New YorkThe Guardian

all 1,057 news articles »


StarNewsOnline.com (blog)

You have a chance to grow your family by adopting a homeless pet this weekend
ABC 4
It's the '2010 Pet Super Adoption' at PetSmart at 389 West 1830 South in Salt Lake City. Tents are filled with dogs and cats ready to be adopted to a loving ...
Mega pet adoption slated for weekendSan Antonio Express
The Haven sponsors National Pet Adoption Weekend Sept. 11- 12Gulf Coast Newspapers
Humane Society, PetSmart host adoption weekendWLOX
Texarkana Gazette -The Coloradoan
all 14 news articles »


Las Vegas traveling pet show will kick off tour in Phoenix
AZ Central.com
10, 2010 12:57 PM Popovich is a lively red-nosed clown and lifelong performer who is taking his Las Vegas-based Popovich Comedy Pet Theater on the road to ...

and more »


VCA Animal Hospitals Offers Free Boarding for Pets Affected by Colorado Wildfires
MarketWatch (press release)
"VCA wants everyone affected to know that during this difficult time, they can keep their pets safe and comfortable with VCA's free boarding offer. ...

and more »


Saturday event offers pet vaccination, registration
Dallas Morning News (blog)
Pets from residences outside Rockwall are welcome. City of Rockwall animal registrations will also be available. For each spayed or neutered dog or cat, ...



Nassau notes: Meals on Wheels for Pets Cruise Sept. 12
Florida Times-Union
The Council on Aging of Nassau County continues its partnership with Meals On Wheels for Pets with its second annual Rollin' on the ...

and more »


At This Hotel, Even a Pooch Can Live in the Lap of Luxury
Wall Street Journal
The 20000-square-foot complex will be anchored by a wellness center, where pets can heal their bodies and minds via Eastern medicine. ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006