Golden Retrievers are renowned for their intelligence, friendliness, and loyalty, making them one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. While their commonality might be a given, you can ensure your Golden stands out by teaching them a variety of engaging tricks. These tricks not only showcase your dog’s smarts but also provide essential mental stimulation, keeping them happy and well-behaved.
Mastering the Basics Before Advanced Tricks
Before diving into more complex behaviors, it’s crucial to establish a solid foundation. If you’re new to dog training, start with fundamental commands such as “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” Consider enrolling in obedience or puppy training classes to build confidence and learn effective training techniques. Many advanced tricks build upon these basic behaviors, making them easier to teach once the fundamentals are mastered.
For instance, once your dog reliably performs a “sit” or “give paw,” you can progress to more elaborate actions. Remember, consistent positive reinforcement, including treats and praise, is key to successful training.
Utilizing Training Tools
Tools like clickers can be highly effective in dog training. A clicker provides immediate, consistent feedback to your dog, marking the exact moment they perform the desired action. While not essential for all trainers, if you choose to use a clicker, you’ll find it can enhance the learning process for various tricks. Regardless of the tools you use, be prepared with an ample supply of high-value treats. Rewarding successful completion of each stage of a trick, and offering a larger reward for mastering the full trick, will help reinforce desired behaviors.
Fun and Unusual Tricks to Teach Your Golden Retriever
Here are 18 fun and unique tricks to teach your Golden Retriever:
High Five
This trick is a natural progression from “shake a paw” and is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Have your dog sit.
- Hold a treat in front of them, just out of reach.
- Say “high five” and gently tap the paw you want them to use.
- As they lift their paw to reach the treat, high five it with your free hand.
- Immediately praise and reward.
With consistent practice, your Golden should begin to lift its paw on command.
Salute
A charming trick that extends the “give paw” command.
- Ask your dog to sit and give a paw.
- Gently guide their paw towards their nose and say “salute,” then reward.
- Repeat until mastered.
Alternatively, use a small piece of tape or a sticky note on their nose to encourage them to lift their paw to remove it.
Army Crawl
A great exercise trick that mimics a commando’s crawl.
- Have your dog lie down.
- Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly move backward, keeping the treat on the floor.
- As your dog inches forward, say “crawl” and reward them after a short distance.
- Gradually increase the distance over multiple sessions.
Ensure your dog has no hip issues before attempting this trick.
Skateboard
An advanced trick that requires patience and a suitable skateboard.
- Acquaint your dog with the skateboard by wedging the wheels and rewarding them for placing paws on it.
- Gradually progress to having them stand on all fours on the board.
- Gently move the board a short distance, rewarding success.
- The ultimate goal is for your dog to ride the skateboard confidently.
This trick may take many sessions and not all dogs will be comfortable with it.
Play Piano
A noisy but entertaining trick that leverages natural curiosity.
- Encourage your dog to approach the piano and reward any interest.
- Guide them to interact with the keyboard, rewarding each key press.
- If necessary, place treats on keys to draw their attention.
Consider using a toy piano to avoid damage to your instrument.
Play Soccer
A fun and interactive trick perfect for the park.
- Introduce your dog to a ball large enough not to be swallowed.
- Reward any interaction with the ball, even a simple nudge.
- Continue rewarding each movement, encouraging them to push the ball.
This trick can be cake if your dog already enjoys playing with balls.
Say Your Prayers
A cute trick that requires mastering “sit” and “give paw” first.
- Ask your dog to sit and give a paw.
- Kneel and place their paw on your extended forearm, like the top of a pew.
- With a treat, lure their head down, giving the command “pray” as they bow.
Gradually increase the duration your dog holds the pose before rewarding.
Clean Up Your Toys
A practical trick that combines name recognition with a “drop it” command.
- Designate a container for toys.
- Ask your dog to retrieve a specific toy.
- Have them bring it to the container and use the “drop it” command.
- Reward them if the toy lands in the container.
- Repeat with all toys, eventually using a command like “clean up.”
Keep the number of toys manageable to avoid overwhelming your dog.
Sneeze
This trick relies heavily on luck and quick reactions.
- Be ready with treats whenever your dog sneezes.
- Immediately praise and reward the sneeze, adding a command word like “sneeze.”
Alternatively, try tickling their nose to induce a sneeze.
Bounce a Ball
A fun trick that builds on a dog’s natural inclination to interact with objects.
- Encourage your dog to interact with a lightweight ball.
- Reward any contact, then progress to placing the ball on their nose.
- Gently bounce the ball off their nose, rewarding any attempts to hit it back.
This trick requires patience and ensuring the ball is not too heavy or small.
Get Me a Drink
A more advanced trick that combines “take it,” “bring it,” and “drop it.”
- Start with an empty plastic bottle and have your dog “take it.”
- Ask them to “bring it” closer, then “drop it” over a container.
- Repeat, gradually increasing the distance and eventually using a full bottle.
- Introduce the command “bring me a drink” to initiate the sequence.
Ensure you also train them to retrieve the bottle from a cooler or bucket if desired.
Limp
An adorable trick that requires careful execution.
- Determine your dog’s dominant paw.
- Gently lift the dominant paw off the ground using a leash, saying “limp.”
- Encourage them to take a few steps and reward.
- Gradually reduce reliance on the leash.
This trick is not suitable for older dogs or those with joint problems.
Sing
This trick encourages a dog’s natural vocalizations.
- If your dog vocalizes, quickly add the command “sing” and reward.
- Alternatively, try howling yourself or playing music to elicit a response.
This trick works best if the trigger for vocalization is identified.
Wave Goodbye
A sweet variation of “shake a paw” for bidding farewell.
- Ask your dog to shake or give a paw.
- Raise your hand higher than usual, encouraging them to reach.
- Praise and reward successful paw raises.
- Gradually increase the height, then introduce the command “wave.”
Eliminate the “shake” command as your dog masters the wave.
Put the Laundry Away
A practical trick that builds on “clean up your toys” with a focus on clothing.
- Start with a laundry basket and have your dog retrieve and drop items of clothing into it.
- Use commands like “laundry” and “drop it.”
- Gradually move the basket to its usual location.
This trick may not be suitable for persistent chewers.
Shame, Shame!
A trick that can be taught similarly to “salute” using a sticky note.
- Place a sticky item on your dog’s nose, and reward them when they lift a paw to remove it.
- Add the command “shame on you.”
- Gradually try the command without the sticky item.
Ensure your command word is distinct from reprimands.
Pull a Cart
A traditional trick that can be both fun and useful.
- Ensure your dog is healthy and comfortable wearing a harness.
- Start with a lightweight cart or wagon, gradually increasing the load.
- Commands can be added to guide the dog.
Consider joining a dog carting club for more guidance and community.
Treat Flip and Catch
A circus-like trick that requires patience and control.
- Have your dog sit and stay.
- Place a treat on their nose and give a command like “hold it.”
- Release the treat with “get it!” and reward if they catch it mid-air.
If the treat falls, use the “leave it” command and try again.
Teaching your Golden Retriever new tricks is a rewarding experience that strengthens your bond and keeps their minds sharp. Always be mindful of your dog’s physical limitations and choose tricks that are appropriate for their breed and health. Have fun showcasing your Golden’s newfound skills and making them the talk of the neighborhood!
References
- American Kennel Club. (n.d.). The Most Popular Dog Breeds in America. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/news/the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-america/
- The Bark. (n.d.). Is Your Dog Southpaw?. Retrieved from https://thebark.com/content/your-dog-southpaw