Golden Retrievers are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and friendly disposition, consistently ranking among the most popular dog breeds. Their sharp minds thrive on engagement, making trick training an excellent way to stimulate their intellect and strengthen your bond. Beyond basic commands, teaching advanced tricks can transform your Golden into a neighborhood star. Begin with the basics of obedience and foundational commands before diving into more complex behaviors.
Getting Started with Trick Training
Before embarking on advanced tricks, ensure your dog has mastered fundamental commands like “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” Obedience classes can provide a solid foundation for both you and your dog, building confidence and communication skills. Many advanced tricks are built upon simpler behaviors such as “fetch” and “shake paw.”
Clicker training can be an effective method for teaching tricks, though it’s not essential. Whichever training method you choose, be prepared with plenty of high-value treats. Reward each step of progress and offer a larger reward for successfully completing a trick to reinforce desired behaviors.
Here are 18 fun and unusual tricks to teach your Golden Retriever:
1. High Five
This trick is a natural progression from “shake paw” and is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Have your dog sit.
- Hold a treat above and slightly out of reach.
- Say “high five” and tap the paw you want your dog to use.
- Encourage your dog to bat at the treat with that paw. You might need to gently guide their paw upwards.
- As their paw rises, high-five it with your free hand.
- Immediately praise and reward.
With consistent practice, your dog should begin to offer a high five on command.
2. Salute
A charming trick that extends the “give paw” command.
- Ask your dog to sit.
- Ask for a paw.
- Gently guide the paw towards their nose and say “salute,” followed by a treat and praise.
- Repeat until mastered.
Alternatively, stick a small piece of tape or a sticky note on your dog’s nose. When they try to remove it with their paw, say “salute” and reward.
3. Army Crawl
This trick is great exercise and offers a fun military-themed challenge.
- Have your dog lie down.
- Hold a treat close to their nose.
- Slowly move backward, dragging the treat along the floor. Say “crawl” as your dog inches forward.
- Reward your dog once they’ve moved a short distance.
- Gradually increase the distance over several repetitions.
Note: This trick should be avoided for dogs with hip issues.
4. Skateboard
A visually impressive trick that requires patience and a confident dog.
- Introduce your dog to a skateboard with the wheels secured to prevent rolling.
- Encourage your dog to place paws on the board, rewarding any interaction.
- Gradually work towards having your dog stand on all fours on the board.
- Once comfortable, gently move the board a short distance, rewarding success.
The ultimate goal is for your dog to confidently ride the skateboard. Ensure the board has a non-slip surface.
5. Play Piano
A noisy but entertaining trick that can be adapted for different skill levels.
- Encourage your dog to approach the piano, rewarding them for their interest.
- Guide your dog to place paws on the keys, rewarding each press initially.
- As your dog becomes accustomed to it, you can limit treats for simple interest and offer more for direct interaction with the keyboard.
Consider using a toy piano or an inexpensive keyboard if you’re concerned about damage to your instrument.
6. Play Soccer
Turn park time into a fun game of doggie soccer.
- Introduce your dog to a ball large enough they cannot pick it up with their teeth.
- Reward any nudging or contact with the ball.
- Continue rewarding each movement of the ball.
This trick may take several sessions. If your dog already enjoys pushing toys, this will be easier.
7. Say Your Prayers
This endearing trick builds upon “sit” and “give paw.”
- Ask your dog to sit.
- Kneel in front of your dog and ask for a paw, placing it over your forearm.
- Ask for the other paw and place it over your arm as well.
- Hold a treat in front of their face and slowly lower it below your arm. As your dog follows the treat with their head, say “pray” and give the treat.
Gradually increase the duration your dog holds this position.
8. Clean Up Your Toys
A practical trick that teaches your dog to put their toys away.
- Designate a container for toys.
- Ask your dog to retrieve specific toys by name.
- Have your dog bring the toy to the container and use the “drop it” command. Reward when the toy lands in the container.
- Repeat with all toys, reinforcing the command “put your toys away.”
Limit the number of toys to make the task manageable and less overwhelming for your dog.
9. Sneeze
This trick relies on capturing a natural behavior.
- Be ready with treats whenever your dog sneezes.
- Immediately praise and reward the sneeze.
- Introduce a command word like “sneeze” as you reward the behavior.
You can also try to elicit a sneeze by gently tickling your dog’s nose with a soft object.
10. Bounce a Ball
A fun trick that involves coordination and a gentle touch.
- Encourage your dog to interact with a ball. Reward any contact.
- Gently place the ball on your dog’s nose, rewarding them for keeping it there.
- Progress to lightly bouncing the ball off their nose, rewarding any attempt to hit it back.
Start with a lightweight ball to avoid startling your dog.
11. Get Me a Drink
This trick combines retrieving and name recognition. Your dog should already know “take it,” “bring it,” and “drop it.”
- Place an empty plastic bottle on the ground and have your dog “take it.” Reward success.
- Ask your dog to “bring it” and then “drop it” near you. Reward each step.
- Repeat this sequence, gradually increasing the distance.
- Introduce the command “bring me a drink” to initiate the entire sequence.
Ensure you use a sturdy plastic bottle, not glass.
12. Limp
An adorable trick that requires patience and careful execution.
- Determine your dog’s dominant paw.
- Gently lift the dominant paw off the ground with the leash looped under it.
- Say “limp” and encourage your dog to take a few steps. Reward them.
- Gradually reduce the upward force on the leash, encouraging your dog to hold the paw up independently.
Avoid this trick for older dogs or those with joint problems.
13. Sing
This trick encourages vocalization, which may be a natural behavior for some dogs.
- When your dog vocalizes, quickly say “sing” and reward them.
- Try to elicit vocalizations by howling yourself or playing different types of music.
Once the trigger is identified, you can work on getting a vocalization on command.
14. Wave Goodbye
A delightful trick that’s a variation of “shake paw.”
- Ask your dog to “shake” or “give paw.”
- Raise your hand higher than usual, encouraging your dog to reach for it. Reward this higher reach.
- Gradually increase the height your dog needs to reach.
- Introduce the command “wave” as they extend their paw upwards.
- Eventually, try eliminating the “shake” command.
15. Put the Laundry Away
Leverage your Retriever’s natural retrieving instinct for a helpful chore.
- Place a laundry basket down.
- Have your dog retrieve an item of clothing.
- Ask them to “bring it” and then “drop it” over the basket. Reward when the item lands in the basket.
- Reinforce the command “put the laundry away.”
This trick might be challenging for dogs who habitually chew items; it could also be an opportunity to redirect that chewing behavior.
16. Shame, Shame!
This trick is similar to “salute” and involves a bit of playful acting.
- Have your dog lie down.
- Place a sticky item on their nose, and reward when they try to remove it with a paw.
- Introduce the command “shame on you” as you reward the pawing.
- Once mastered, try giving the command without the sticky item.
Ensure your command word is distinct from any reprimands you use.
17. Pull a Cart
This advanced trick requires some preparation, including a suitable harness and cart.
- Acclimate your dog to wearing a harness.
- Attach a light cart and gradually introduce them to pulling it.
- Start with an empty cart and slowly increase the load.
Consult guides on dog carting for more detailed instructions and safety tips. Always respect your dog’s physical limitations. The best harnesses can be found commercially if you are not building your own.
18. Treat Flip and Catch
A circus-style trick that requires focus and impulse control.
- Have your dog “sit” and “stay.”
- Place a treat on their nose and give a command like “hold it.”
- Release your dog with “ok!” or “get it!” and reward them for catching the treat in mid-air.
- If the treat drops, use the “leave it” command.
This trick emphasizes patience and rewarding only the desired outcome.
Conclusion
Teaching your Golden Retriever new tricks is a rewarding experience that enhances their mental stimulation and strengthens your relationship. When selecting tricks, consider your dog’s size, abilities, and physical limitations to ensure the training is safe and enjoyable. By continuing to expand your dog’s repertoire, you can foster a happy, engaged companion and stand out from the crowd.