10 Reasons Why Trick Training Is Beneficial For Your Reactive Dog

Anita Author

In this blog post we are talking about the 10 benefits of trick training for reactive dogs and how it can help them coping with their environment.

Trick Training For Reactivity? Yes or No?

Was trick training at the bottom of the list what you should be doing with your dog?

You either think "It`s not for me and my dog as we are not that advanced anyway. It`s for dancing dogs."

Or you might think "Oh, no way my dog would be able to do that"

Or you might be at the other end of the spectrum and think, "Yeah, I know it`s fun, but I need to focus on sorting out his reactivity first. I haven`t got time for it.

If you`ve ever found yourself at the bottom of a trick-training list, don`t worry - you`re not alone. In fact, many dog owners mistakenly believe that trick training is only for advanced dogs or those with time to spare.

However, the truth is that trick training can provide a number of benefits for all dogs, regardless of their skill level or experience. For example, Trick training can help to improve problem-solving skills, communication and understanding between owner and dog. It can also be a fun and rewarding way to bond with your furry friend. So next time you`re feeling low on the trick-training totem pole, remember that there`s no shame in learning a few new tricks.

Trick training is an effective tool because it helps to engage your dog`s mind. It also provides mental stimulation and can help to tire out a dog who might otherwise be full of energy. When used properly, trick training can be a great way to bond with your dog and build trust between you.

In reactivity training we are teaching our dogs that there are other ways to cope with the environment other than what they know; barking and lunging on one end of the spectrum and shutting down and freezing on the other end.

We can teach our dogs in a fun way to help them work through their own struggles and help them transform into a more confident dog who can cope better with the world around them.

When you think about it, all dogs can benefit from learning how to better cope with their environment and themselves.

So, what are some of the benefits of trick training?

1. It`s a good confidence boost

When we talk about reactivity, we think about the shouty, barky dogs, So the question I get that my dog is demanding my attention all the time, won`t it reinforce this behaviour?

The answer is no, often these dogs are lacking in confidence and by providing an outlet for their brain power through trick training, we can help to build their confidence in a way that is non-threatening. We are building new neuropaths in the brain to help the dog to think differently about their environment and the people and dogs around them.

Trick training is an excellent way to engage your dog`s mind, providing mental stimulation that can help tire out a dog who might otherwise be full of energy.

2. Tricks help with flexibility

Flexibility is not only a physical attribute but a mental one too, and just like people, some dogs lack in this department. When we think of flexibility, we often think of yoga or contortionists, but for dogs, it can be as simple as being able to cope with change or new environments.

Reactive dogs often set in their way of perceiving the world. Tricks help them improve their flexibility by teaching them to cope with change and new environments in a non-threatening way.

For example, if you have a dog who is afraid of umbrellas, you can start by teaching them to touch the umbrella with their nose (or paw) then progressing to having the umbrella open near them.

3. Tricks help with generalisation

Teaching your dog tricks is a great way to help them learn how to generalise cues and behaviour.

Have you tried asking your dog to do these things in different environments, with different levels of distraction? If not, then you`ll likely find that there are some improvements to be made. might be thinking, my dog knows sit, down, stay and come already so we`ve done this. But have they been able to do these things in a variety of locations and with different people?

This is where generalisation comes into play. When we teach our dogs tricks, we are often teaching them to do something in a specific context (e.g., with you in the living room) but it`s important that they learn to do the trick in different contexts too (e.g., outside, with other people, in different rooms of the house).

This is important because we want our dogs to be able to listen to us no matter where we are or who else is around.

Remember, the goal is to have a dog that can calmly follow your cues regardless of what`s going on around them.

4. Good for improving proprioception / body awareness

Proprioception is the ability to sense the position and movement of our body in space. It`s what allows us to know where our limbs are without having to look at them.

Dogs with poor proprioception often appear clumsy or uncoordinated. They may bump into things, trip over their own feet or have a hard time navigating stairs.

Proprioception can be improved through exercise and massage, but trick training is also a great way to help your dog become more aware of their body.

For example, you can teach your dog to walk on their hind legs or turn in a circle. These tricks may seem silly, but they`ll help your dog to become more aware of their body and improve their coordination.

5. Reactive dogs have a hard time with novelty in the environment

Dogs that are reactive often have a hard time coping with change or new things in their environment. This can make it difficult to take them on walks, introduce them to new people or even just move furniture around the house.

Trick training can help your dog to become more accepting of novelty by teaching them that change can be fun and rewarding. We often use objects they have never seen before and this concept help shape their brain and open them up to new experiences.

You can start by teaching your dog simple tricks like touching a target with their nose or paw, then progressing to more complex tricks like opening a door or turning on a light switch. As your dog becomes more comfortable with change, they`ll be able to better cope with the novel things in their environment.

For example, if you`re moving house or going on holiday, you can use some of the tricks your dog loves in the new environment before they have to adjust to it fully. This will help them to feel more comfortable and less stressed in the new surroundings.

6. Good indoors activity when it`s too hot to go outside

In the summer months, it can often be too hot to take your dog for a walk or play fetch in the park. However, this doesn`t mean that you have to spend the entire day inside with nothing to do.

Trick training is a great way to keep your dog`s brain active when it`s too hot or in the winter months when it`s too cold to go outside.

There are a number of indoor tricks that you can teach your dog, such as going to their bed, fetching a toy or even turning on a light switch. Not only will these tricks keep your dog`s brain active, but they`ll also provide them with a sense of achievement and help to burn off some of that excess energy.

7. Improves problem-solving skills

One of the great things about trick training is that it encourages our dogs to think for themselves and solve problems.

This is because they often have to figure out how to perform the trick before they`re rewarded. For example, if you`re teaching your dog to fetch a toy from under the couch, they`ll have to use their problem-solving skills to figure out how to get the toy.

This is a great way to keep your dog`s brain active and sharp, as well as providing them with a sense of achievement when they finally figure out the trick.

8. Tolerance to frustration

Many dog owners give up on trick training because their dog gets frustrated and doesn`t seem to be making any progress. However, it`s important to remember that frustration is a normal part of the learning process.

If your dog is getting frustrated, it`s important to take a step back and break the trick down into smaller parts. For example, if you`re teaching your dog to roll over, you may need to start by teaching them to lie down first. Once they`ve mastered this part of the trick, you can then move on to the next step.

By taking the time to break the trick down into smaller parts, you`ll help your dog to learn the trick more slowly and patiently, which will eventually lead to less frustration.

9. Focus, concentration and attention

In our fast-paced world, it`s often difficult to get our dogs to focus and concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds. However, trick training can help to improve your dog`s focus and concentration.

This is because they have to pay attention to you and your cues in order to perform the trick correctly. As your dog becomes more skilled at trick training, you`ll find that they`re able to focus and concentrate for longer periods of time.

This improved focus and concentration can then be transferred to other areas of their life, such as obedience training or agility.

10. Improves our bond and it`s fun!

Last but not least, trick training is a great way to improve the bond between you and your dog while teaching them new skills. This is because it gives you both a chance to have some fun together while also working on your communication and understanding.

It`s also a great way to show off your dog`s skills to family and friends, which can help to increase their confidence. So next time you`re looking for a fun and rewarding way to bond with your dog, why not try trick training? You may be surprised at just how much you enjoy it!

If you're not sure where to start or you`re struggling to find the time or motivation to train your dog, consider signing up for our next free trick workshop where we can show you how to properly incorporate trick training into your dog`s daily routine.

Trick training is a great way to bond with your dog It`s also an effective tool for dealing with common problems such as reactivity, Novelty and boredom. So next time you`re looking for a way to entertain your dog, why not give trick training a try? You may be surprised at just how much fun you both have.

Join our free workshop here

So, if you`re ready to get started with trick training, here are a few tips to get you started:

- Choose tricks that will suit your dog`s individual personality and energy level.

- Start with simple tricks and gradually work up to more complex ones.

- Be patient and consistent with your training.

- Reward your dog frequently with treats, praise, or both.

If you`re thinking about incorporating trick training into your dog`s daily routine, remember to start slow and be patient. Dogs are individuals and will learn at their own pace. Some dogs will take to trick training quickly, while others may need more time and practice. Be sure to praise your dog frequently and give them plenty of treats when they`re learning new tricks. With a little patience and persistence, you`ll be amazed at what your dog can learn.

With a little time and patience, you`ll be surprised at how much your dog can learn. Trick training is a great way to build confidence, bond with your dog, and provide them with much-needed mental stimulation. Give it a try today!

I hope this has helped to show you the many benefits of trick training and why it can be such an effective tool, especially for reactive dogs. 

Have you got a reactive dog? What tricks have you taught your dog? We`d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Categories: : reactivity, trick training