Teaching how to teach your dog to spin is an important skill for most dog owners. Spinning is also called “the line” walking as it is performed by guiding a line of balls across the floor in front of the dog. It is usually a fun activity for both dog and owner. Spinning can also help develop obedience skills in your dog and improve its recall capabilities. The key to teaching this skill to your dog is to create a good set of expectations and guidelines that you and your dog will both understand. If you are unable to meet these guidelines then your dog may not learn how to spin effectively.
Teaching how to teach your dog to spin correctly begins with establishing a good consistent training routine. This will make it easier for you to teach your dog how to act when you call for it. For example, if you are teaching your dog how to sit, you should always start in a positive manner, taking your dog through a relaxed and friendly greeting. Always start with small balls and don’t force your dog to jump into the mix. This can scare many dogs and make them less likely to learn how to teach your dog to spin.
The first thing that you should teach your dog is how to sit. To teach your dog to sit, you will want to practice your dog sitting with small balls in its mouth. Once your dog has learned how to sit properly, slowly start adding larger balls to its mealtime treats and praise. You will find that after a few weeks of practice, your dog will be sitting quietly while you give the dog treats and praise. Now you have learned how to teach your dog to spin, it is time to move on to teaching your dog how to catch.
A very easy way to teach your dog how to catch is through leash training. To begin, start by attaching the leash to one end of the leash and then placing your hand in front of the dog, roughly ten inches away from its back. Then, say “sit” in a firm, but calm voice while backing away ten yards. Slowly turn around until you are pointing at your leg. When your dog stops in place, praise it and immediately take the dog’s leash and attach it to the collar you were using previously.
Now you should begin practicing the “catch me” dog training trick. To perform this trick, begin by holding your hand forward, approximately four feet in front of your dog. In a slow and controlled motion, pull your dog forward slowly while speaking in a calm voice. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly so it catches up with you. When it catches it, say a word and immediately push it forward again, while repeating the process once more.
The “spinning dog” tricks are probably the trick that dog owners the most, because they are the hardest ones to teach. To begin with, there are two types of spinning tricks – the one-handed and the two-handed. If your dog does not already know how to catch itself, you will need a demonstration video or a book detailing how to teach your dog to do two-handed tricks.
The easiest two-handed dog tricks to teach are the sit and the stay. For the sit, begin by sitting down on both your forearms on the ground. Your dog should stand still with his hind legs forward. Take a teaching aid and point to where you would like your dog to sit. With one arm in each hand, grasp the handles of your dog’s hind legs and gently guide them toward the sitting area you created.
Two-handed dog training is more challenging, but the results are much greater. Beginners and experts alike agree that teaching your dog how to do two handed dog tricks are the most rewarding of all dog training commands. The hardest tricks, of course, are the ones that your dog will be afraid of doing! This is where any good training book or demonstration video comes into play!
