I have been set homework by my puppy class to teach Poj a new trick in the week.  Now, I've been very naughty and haven't taught her one yet - the class is tomorrow - any bright ideas on a nice quick trick I could teach her?  In my defence my school has had an OFSTED inspection this week so I've been working all the hours there is and other half has been walking her but trick teaching was beyond the call of duty!

She shakes a paw, sits, lies down, touches my finger with her nose.

I've tried roll over but can't get her past lying on her back.  She's a quick learner - any ideas much apreciated.  I don't want to be told off by the lovely, but frankly a bit scary, dog training lady.

If she already gives a paw, it's very easy to train a "high 5" from there - might crack a smile on the scary trainer's face :P

I was going to suggest high 5 as well.  People love that esp. children  :)

LOL - truth be told that's about all I teach :D :D :D 

Oh - "spit" - that's a quick & easy one (an adaptation on a "drop" command :) )

High Five is now done - thanks guys.  She picked it up very quickly - I've also trained her to 'kiss' my nose.  Bless.  The scary lady should be appeased.

Showing my ignorance - what's a High 5?

High 5 when 2 people raise their hands and put their palms together usually in a show of celebration.  It's easy to progress to a high 5 if your dog offers a paw. Each time your dog puts his paw in your palm gradually bring your palm round from face up to face on so that your dog has to do the same in order to get his paw onto your palm.  Neighbour's little boy asks my dog to "Give me 5" for biscuits and it never fails to make the boy break into a lovely smile. :)

I don't know how old your pup is but I'd leave the roll over for a while if he's still young.

Well done on all his tricks :d

Our dog will put his paw on a toy that you ask him to show you. So far we have got to choosing from three in a row and he gets it right all the time at first and then starts to get really excited and there is a flurry of paws as he taps each toy in turn - just hedging his bets!

Poj is just over 5 months old, she's a lab/springer cross - why shouldn't she be rolling over?  I ask because I took her to her training class today and the lady had her rolling over which she was picking up well (typical that I couldn't get her to do it!)

It's just tht I've always heard that it shouldn't be done with pups etc, especially due to HD.  Don't know how true it is but I don't allow my dogs to do roll over for a while.

Ooh, never thought of that, but I suppose the twisting could be bad for a developing spine. My youngest is 17 months now so too late to worry! They all roll over, and Henry also walks backwards on his back legs - but he learned that himself, and I just gave him a word for when I want him to do it! :-)

You could teach him to weave through your legs .
have a treat in both hands stand with legs 18 ins apart guide him in a figure 8 through your legs saying weave when he's done it give him the treat .
progress onto walking while he weaves through your legs .

Roni