Training your pet doesn't always require a professional or fancy equipment — sometimes all you need is a little patience and consistency, as well as the right motivation. Teaching your pet new tricks at home can improve their behaviour and strengthen the bond between you. Read on to find out some simple and fun tricks you can teach your pet at home.
1. Sit – The Foundation Trick
Teaching your pet to sit is often the first step in basic obedience training. This gets you ready for more complex commands and shows your clients you're the trainer.
How to Do It:
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Get close to your pet and hold a treat near its nose.
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Move your hand up to encourage your pet to follow the treat with their head and make their bottom go down.
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When they're sat down, just say the word and give them their treat. Don't forget to praise them afterwards.
2. Shake Hands – A Cute and Social Gesture
'Shake' or 'paw' is a cute trick that's easy to learn. It's a great way for your pet to interact politely, and it'll create some fantastic photo opportunities, too!
How to Do It:
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Just ask your pet to sit.
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Lift their paw a bit and say 'Shake' to them.
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Just give them a reward every time they lift their paw on their own, and you'll get there in the end.
3. Stay – For Safety and Self-Control
It's really important to teach your pet to 'stay' so you can avoid accidents and make sure they listen in distracting environments.
How to Do It:
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Ask your pet to sit.
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Hold your hand out like a stop sign and say 'stay'.
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Take a step back, then go back and reward them if they stay put.
4. Roll Over – Fun and Physically Engaging
"Roll over" is a trick that takes a little longer to teach, but it's fun and mentally stimulating for your pet.
How to Do It:
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Just ask your pet to lie down.
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Move the treat around their head slowly in a circle.
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Give them a command like "roll over" when they're rolling around and they'll get a treat!
5. Fetch – Useful for Exercise
"Fetch" is more than just a bit of fun; it helps your pet to learn how to retrieve and keeps them active.
How to Do It:
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Start with something they like to play with, like a toy or a ball.
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Throw it a short way and say "fetch".
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Give them a nudge to bring it back and offer them a treat or a pat on the back in exchange.
6. Speak – Teach Controlled Barking
"Speak" teaches your pet to bark on command, which is great for alert purposes or for controlling your pet's communication.
How to Do It:
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Get the dog barking by knocking or making a noise.
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Just say "speak" when they're barking, and then give them a treat.
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Then, later, add "quiet" for balance.
7. Spin – A Fun and Easy Crowd-Pleaser
"Spin" is a quick trick where your pet turns in a circle. It's fun and easy for most dogs or even cats to learn.
How to Do It:
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Try using a treat to lure your pet into a circle.
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Just say 'spin' and give them a reward when they've finished the turn.
8. High Five – Quick and Impressive
A high five is a cool move that your cat or dog can do to show off, just like a shake.
How to Do It:
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Ask your pet to sit.
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Just hold out your palm and wait for their paw to touch it.
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Say "high five" and offer a reward.
9. Lie Down – Relaxing and Helpful
Teaching your pet to lie down is a great way to calm them down if they're too excited, and it's really useful in those high-energy situations.
How to Do It:
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Ask your pet to sit.
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So, what you need to do is hold a treat to the ground and slowly move it forward.
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When they're lying down, tell them the command and give them a reward.
10. Touch – Nose to Hand Targeting
"Touch" is a fun way to teach your pet to tap their nose to your hand. It's used in training to improve agility and focus.
How to Do It:
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Hold out your hand and pop a treat in it.
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Just say "touch" and give them a treat when their nose touches your palm.
Final Tips for Training at Home
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Keep your training sessions short (5–10 minutes) to stay focused.
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Make sure you're always positive when you're rewarding your pet – use treats, praise, or play.
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Just be patient, as every pet learns at their own pace.
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Make sure your words, gestures and timing are all in sync.
Enhance Your Pet's Training Experience with HomaPet's Quality Accessories
When you're teaching your pet new tricks at home, the right accessories can make a big difference. HomaPet has a great range of collars, leashes and harnesses that are all really comfortable and durable, so you can be sure your training sessions will be both effective and enjoyable.
Explore Homapet's Premium Dog Accessories and support your pet's learning journey with the best gear available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What are the easiest tricks to teach my pet at home?
A: Start with basic commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "paw." These are simple, quick to teach, and build a strong foundation for more advanced tricks.
Q2. How long should a training session be?
A: Keep sessions short and positive—about 5 to 15 minutes at a time. End each session on a successful note to keep your pet motivated.
Q3. Can I train my pet without professional help?
A: Absolutely! With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, most pets can learn basic tricks at home without the need for professional training.
Q4. What should I use as a reward while training?
A: Use small, healthy treats, praise, or your pet’s favourite toy as a reward. Make sure it's something your pet is excited about.
Q5. At what age can I start teaching my dog tricks?
A: You can start basic training as early as 8 weeks old. However, older dogs can learn new tricks too—it’s never too late to start!
Q6. What if my pet gets distracted during training?
A: Reduce distractions in your training area, use a leash to guide focus, and keep commands clear and calm. Patience is key!
