Last updated on November 3, 2017
Let’s learn dog tricks and give away over $850 in prizes! Yes, it’s tricks for treats time, dog lovers of the highest order! Welcome to the 2017 Tricks for Treats Giveaway with OVER $850 worth of fun and prizes!
Just for stopping by and checking learning about how to teach your dog some tricks we invite you to enter this year’s Trick or Treat Giveaway hop after you see Dexter work his trick magic. It’s well worth it because the prizes are wag-tastic. Your dog is already a winner, so let’s make him or her eligible for swag galore!
Cool beans: This goes on for 10 days of awesome dog tricks, fabulous dog treats, and OVER $850 worth of fun and prizes!
Disclosure: The Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop is sponsored by CleverPet, The Honest Kitchen, Planet Dog, and Health Extension. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business. The individual sponsors are responsible for their giveaway prizes including shipping.
Dog Parent Promise: Before Teaching Your Dog a New Trick
Promise yourself two things: You will have patience/never yell at or scold a dog AND you will try this is very short segments. Five minutes once or twice a day. I learned long ago from dog mom who has a trick dog that smaller bursts of trying something new is key AND you should always end on a positive note. Clap and reward your dog. You want the dog to feel good for doing this and not like a robot who must follow orders. If your dog does not want to do these tricks and/or is not feeling well or has health issues, please do not force a dog to do so. This is meant to be a fun, bonding experience to strengthen the relationship you have with your dog. There will be no shouting, yelling, spanking, frustration, or hissy fits on your behalf. Paw-mise? Okay good, let’s learn and win!
About Dexter
My dog is 9 years young, and our practice sessions have ensued over the years. The 15-minute practice sessions were more of a reinforcement, so if you are just starting out, be happy, be joyful, be engaged, and never scold a dog for not ‘getting it right.’ Not every dog is meant to be a trick dog, but every dog can form a loving bond with their human if properly trained, loved upon, and given respect.
My dog is official an AKC trick dog, achieving both the novice and intermediate titles! An AKC trick dog title helps instill confidence and so much more in dogs. I don’t plan to have my dog do television, commercials, or movies; my dog and I worked towards our AKC trick dog titles for other reasons.
Here’s the scoop, why we did it, and how your dog can train for his or her trick dog title.
Beg
I love this trick so much. You put the dog in a sit pose and remind him or her to stay. Place a treat into one hand and allow the dog to see it. You will start by placing your arms in front of the dog so he can smell the treat. You want the dog to know the treat is there. Reward when your dog realizes the treat is in your hand. Yes, give the treat up. For the first day or two, just do this.
On day 2 or 3, start holding the treat in front of your dog’s nose, but the treat needs to be seen and in between two fingers so you can hold it in front of the dog’s nose. You want the dog to be on his haunches as a goal. He will be on his haunches and wrap his paws around your arm while you say beg. In order to do this, work on it a few days at a time. By leaning forward a bit and pushing the treat toward Dexter’s nose, he started to associate the word ‘beg’ with what I wanted him to do. Winning!~
Scroll to the last part of this video on Instagram to see “beg.”
Which Hand?
You simply put a treat in both hands, sit in front of your dog and ask him or her ‘which hand?’ The dog will either tap your hand or nudge gently, as Dexter is doing here. You simply reward when they get the hand right. Put both hands in front of you. Obviously I am snapping the photo, and Dex is working his canine magic here: (this is one that most dogs can learn and it’s oh so cute, too)
Indoor Exercise Trick Sets
Combining a series of tasks into a few “sets” allows for dogs to keep fit all winter long and also for rainy days and ‘just because.’ It also keeps the dog’s mind limber because he or she has to think, listen, and react.
As part of our AKC trick title training, Dexter and I learned indoor exercise trick sets. Starting at the 4:30 position below, you can witness our exercise sets in action.
We combined a sit, stay, down, and spin into one set and then repeated it x3. In order to do this, you simply teach each command as listed. It also is a fun game to show your dog loving friends. Dexter loves applause, so this was a fun set to teach and witness.
Reminder
If your dog isn’t getting it or just simply is not interested, you do not want to end on a sour note. Have the dog do something that he or she is good at, no matter what it is, and then reward, clap, celebrate. The goal of learning anything new is to enhance the relationship between dog parent and dog.
The giveaway is closed and thanks to all who entered. The winners are:
$300 PetSmart gift card: Annamarie V
CleverPet Electronic Dog Puzzle: Ray K
The Honest Kitchen Prize Pack: Melody F
Planet Dog Prize Pack: Darcy K
Health Extension Prize Pack: Karley M
Enter to Win Prizes and Snag More Entries
And now some super fun for you and your dog! Prizes galore, as we shared above. Here is how to enter. Just go through the easy-to-enter form below and visit the different blogs listed for even more entries. Easy peasy, right?! If you visit each of the blogs, you can learn a new trick AND enter for more chances to win. Fun stuff! Give your pawsome dogs a scritch behind the ears from us and good luck!!!
GRAND PRIZE:
$300 Gift Card to PetSmart
SECOND PRIZE:
CleverPet Hub
$299 VALUE – SPONSORED BY CLEVERPET
THIRD PRIZE:
Golden Milk, Eggnog, Pumpkin Spice Latte,
Cuddles, and Smooches
$68 VALUE – SPONSORED BY THE HONEST KITCHEN
FOURTH PRIZE:
Halloween Trick Ball, Halloween Treat Ball,
and Maple Leaf Nook
$50 VALUE – SPONSORED BY PLANET DOG
FIFTH PRIZE:
Duck & Yogurt Bully Puffs, Chicken & Cheddar Bully Puffs,
Lamb & Peanut Butter Bully Puffs, Bacon & Liver Bully Puffs,
and Bacon Chips (1 Bag Each)
$40 VALUE – SPONSORED BY HEALTH EXTENSION
PLUS follow all bloggers on Instagram for a chance to win a SPECIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PRIZE:
$100 Gift Card to PetSmart
2017 Trick or Treat Giveaway – Fidose of Reality
WHERE TO ENTER:
Learn to Crawl
by Kol’s Notes
Learn to Calmly Ride in Elevators
by Beagles & Bargains
Learn to Not Freak Out When a Doorbell Rings
by A Dog Walks into a Bar
Learn to Ring a Bell
by ChiPets
Learn to be “Sassy”
by Dog Mom Days
Learn Whistle Recall
by Fetch for Me, Human
Learn “Beg”, “Which Hand”, and Indoor Exercise Trick Sets
by Fidose of Reality
Learn to Stand on Your Hind Legs
by Heart Like A Dog
Learn to Kiss
by It’s Dog or Nothing
Learn to Touch
by Life With Beagle
Learn to Pick It Up or Take It
by My Dog Likes
Learn to Crawl Through a Tight Tunnel
by My GBGV Life
Learn to Shake Paws (for Dogs Who Don’t Like Their Paws Touched!)
by Sarcastic Dog
Learn Puppy Push Ups
by Spencer the Goldendoodle
Learn Two Dog Tricks
by Tails from the Road
Learn “Paw” and “Shake Paw”
by Talent Hounds
Learn to Cover Your Eyes
by Tenacious Little Terrier
Learn to Jump Through a Hoop
by The Broke Dog
Learn to Spin
by The Daily Pip
Learn to Open Doors
by Wag ‘n Woof Pets
Will G says
My dog does not know this trick.
Molly says
While my dog does not know this trick it seems like something we can learn together! She can do a variety of things and about to add to her repertoire.
Dianne H. says
My girl knows the which hand but I have not taught her to spin yet. But I will now 🙂
Rachel says
My dog doesn’t know this trick. We got her when she was 3 years old and unfortunately she never picked up tricks.
Karen Porm says
My dog doesn’t know this trick. He gets so excited for treats he can’t pay attention!
rachel monn says
We don’t know this trick…she does know how to beg though!
Sarah b says
My dogs know a version of this.
Sandy Weinstein says
yes, both girls know how to sit and beg. the youngest is very good with shaking hands and waving. i can get both girls to shake in unison. they know how to lay down, but not spin, my oldest did prance, sit, shake, lay down and rollover and some other tricks. i used treats, working with the treats and my hands. the oldest is very good at begging, she can actually stand and walk towards the treats. the younger girl has a little trouble balancing on 2 feet, to get them to shake, i used the treat, tapped their front leg and sometimes took their paw and shook it.
Juliet Whitfield says
Love this Carol and love that Dexter knows so many tricks. Very cool for you both. I’m going to try this one with my boys, simple and very fun. Thanks for sharing.
sherry butcher says
mY Blackie was 5 years old when I rescued and he knew some tricks. He’s a very well mattered dog who I have not work with. I’ll be trying some of the ideas here in this Blog Hop.
DJ says
My pup doesn’t know this trick.
Melody says
Will shake for treats but we do not know beg yet, still working on it 🙂
Jenn Gren says
One of my dogs, Sprocket is an ace at learning new tricks (highly treat & praise motivated) – but my other dog, Ratchet is a lovable goof with the attention span of a paperclip (***SQUIRREL!***) – so he only knows basic commands (sit, down).
Jodi Stone says
Delilah and I took a tricks class too. It’s so much fun and a great bonding experience with your dog. It looks like you and Dex are having fun!
Jason Diehl says
Sammer Jams is the only one to learn tricks but we have not learned this one
Jason Diehl says
we have not learned this one yet
Heather D says
I like that first derpy dog face picture, so cute! My dog does not know this trick.
Mike Freed says
Sparkey knows most of the tricks except for beg.
Jennifer A says
Dexter doesn’t know this trick yet
Spencer the Goldendoodle says
Wonderful post and great tips! I can feel Dex’s excitement through the video!!!
Shannon says
I’ve got the sit down. Hopefully others will come with time.
Melissa Storms says
My dog knows a couple of these tricks,she can be a little hard to teach, very smart, very stubborn.
Tammy Horn says
Yes, all my dogs know this trick. We just taught my german shepherd last week. We mostly teach them by capturing and rewarding the behavior, and them they catch on pretty quickly.
Deja tarver says
My dog knows this but she already knew from her previous owner.
Emma says
Congratulations on all the tricks, Dex! We don’t do much in the way of tricks, well, Bailie can do rollover and we all do shake and high five, but that is it. You are a star!
Bryn Nowell says
Great post! I think the reminder that trick training can also be used to help with fitness activities in the colder months is really important and I appreciate you including that.
Bean and Yoda have done the tricks you taught, although Yoda has a tough time with all his meaty glory to sit on his haunches.
Steve Weber says
My dog does not know this trick.
allison hoffman says
dont know this one
Cheryl Chervitz says
My baby girl who passed 2 years ago knew this trick. I’m not sure how we taught her though.
Jenniferanne says
We did some “tricks” like this when we took our dog to a training class. He does this pretty well.
Susan P. says
My cat does the beg trick better than the dog!
Kathy Kramer Weir says
Got this down pat!!!!
Barrie says
I like the which hand trick and I think my dog would have fun with this also. He’s 6 but so smart and should pick up on this quickly.
Elena says
My dogs don’t know this trick
Rust says
We’ve got a version of this!
Carly Daring says
Cooper doesnt know this trick but we might be able to teach him.
Dameshia Leonard says
My dog doesn’t know this trick but I sure love the steps use to help me help her get better at it! Thanks
Molli Vandehey-Taylor says
my dog does not know this one yet!
Kayla Lussier says
My dog knows beg but not the others. Definitely will try these out with her!
Misty says
We “sit pretty,” but yes they love this one.
Linda Szymoniak says
While I’ve never taught this as a trick, I have three rescued Treeing Walker Coonhounds who smell anything and everything. They can always figure out what hand I have the treat it.
carol clark says
my dog does not know this trick only fetch
Roxanne Carlson says
This is a good trick to teach to my puppy, thanks
Robin Whiskers says
You’re one smart cookie, Dexter!
Danielle Smith says
This is an awesome contest!
Annamarie V says
Our new puppy was born on 10/19 so he doesn’t know any tricks yet but we have high expectations for him.
Natalie Hartmann says
My dogs do not know this trick
Nick A. says
My dog doesn’t know this trick.
Donna L. says
We haven’t learned this trick yet.
Nancy says
These are popular in our house.
Rick says
Indoor time is always a great thing to have in mind. Yes, we do these tricks.
Edye says
My dog does not do tricks.
Pat Schwab says
No, my dog hasn’t learned this trick but it is something I may try. I am saving all this great info for future training.
tammy ta says
We have tried this with my dog-he gets it!
amanda whitley says
my dog doesnt know this trick.. he is old and not too bright these days lol
paige chandler says
Petals the Pug knows no tricks. She is a wild child. Ugh
Leela says
He knows this trick and learned it about the same way.
Meaghen says
We’re still trying to get our puppy to learn this but he seems to have no interest in doing tricks for us. Our older dog however loves this little game. We take the treat and high it behind our back and put it in a hand. We then present him with both closed fists and he paws at a hand. Normally he gets it on every try. The best is when we trick him and the treat is hiding behind us, he’s catching on quick though once he gets over the initial confusion of both hands having no treats. He’ll walk around us and sniff it out. Such a good trick and great mental stimulation!
alicia gordon says
my dog does not know how to beg but we are in the process of teaching her to
Peggy Damon says
no my dog doesn’t know this trick, only thing he does for a treat is sit and stay no fancy stuff
Miranda Sherman says
This is a very cool trick, but no, neither of our dogs know this trick…very cute though!
MARLA R KING says
No…my dog does not know this trick.
Deborah W. says
I think these are things my dog would do; especially which hand. I am going to try and practice with her and see what happens.
Ang says
Chaining tricks is such a great way to proof tricks! I love switching it up to make sure Grady is really paying attention!
Michelle Catallo says
No, but I would LOVE to teach both my dogs how to do this 😀
ellen beck says
Odin does know beg.He also knows left and right hand 99% of the time although confuses hands (paws) he doesnt spin though.
Madison says
A new trick I will have to teach my dog!
CALVIN f. says
My cat liked dog didnt do these before, nice tricks.
Mita says
My dog does not know this trick yet
Candice says
My dogs both know this trick and love to do it for treats.
Carol says
It’s so good for their brain to learn new tricks!
LennyG says
Not yet but I’ll teach her.
Carol says
It’s so good for their brain to learn new tricks! I’m going to try to teach mine some of these.
Ann Cluck says
My big girl, lab/border collie mix does not know beg. However, my two littles, chi/pugs come by begging naturally!!
beth says
I have taught her to weave thru my legs, figure eights, give paw, jump thru hula hoop, jump over small jumps, go around, circle me, catch a ball, etc. We are working on some other things that she still doesn’t quite get, but hopefully she will figure these new tricks out too.
All Things Collie says
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
Theresa Spaid says
We’ve had Bandit for a year and doesn’t know much for tricks.
Talent Hounds says
So true that it is amazing bonding and great mental and physical exercise. Kilo comes and begs me to do tricks as he LOVES treats and the attention and stimulation. We do the same ones as your video (Dex is too cute) and he offers up spin and lie down and anything else he thinks might earn a reward LOL. He does not like roll over as I think he was mistreated but we are working on it slowly. He can finally sit pretty and beg – he had to build up his core for 2 years on that one as his shape is tough to balance. I am going to try “which hand” tomorrow as I had forgotten that one. We do it with cups and puzzles too. Such fun!!!
CDM says
YoYo doesn’t know this trick . Thanks for showing us 🙂
Courtney Stock says
Both my dogs know beg but I say up instead. They dont know the rest above.
Diane Conover says
Junior doesn’t know how to spin but he does know sit,stay and most times he gets the which hand trick.
Tanika Campbell says
My dogs know sit and down, but that’s about it.
Denise Miller says
He does not know the begging trick. He loves learning and when learning a new skill praise and play are usually his rewards instead of food treats. His play drive is very strong and it helps to keep training fun.
Shelly Senter says
Gryfyn and I modified bang bang to a Karate move.
Karen says
I just found out about the trick dog titles and plan on doing it for my two dogs! 🙂
Tiffany says
When we teach our dog a trick, what we’re going to do is look for small variation on what the end result will be. Whenever you are training any behavior, what you want to know is what the end behavior supposed to look like, and then you are just looking at what the dog does and breaking it down into small, achivalble steps. I ussually use a clicker to comunicate to him when he’s done correctly, what he’s getting a reward for. And slowly, I will shape him to the end result.
cassandra says
Cute tricks! my dog can’t do these yet, but I would like to teach him to beg.
Jenn Beckett jennpup says
This is a great trick – my dog doesn’t know it! Loved your video, too!
Golden Daily Scoop says
Great job Dexter! The Goldens don’t know this trick but it would be fun to try and teach them!
Helga says
My dogs don’t know this trick.
Kristen says
My dog does not know these tricks yet.
Ronald Gagnon says
Doesn’t know this trick
Jessica Whitehouse says
My dog doesn’t do any tricks.
mary ballerin says
My younger pugs only know Sit & Fetch, trying to teach them Shake but it’s hard with two, they interefere with each other during lessons. Our senior rescue is 13, he didn’t know tricks when I adopted him two months ago, just happy he’s a good dog who gets around well still.
cheryl s says
We play which hand with Roxy
Amy Angulo says
Nala and Cody know which hand but don’t knoe beg though they both know how to use their puppy dog eyes.
sarah k says
My guys don’t know this trick yet.
Allison Swain says
Our dogs don’t really do tricks but they listen to basic commands and are well behaved. Thanks for the chance to win this!
Katie Amanda says
Rocket and Holly don’t know this trick yet, but I’d love to give it a try in the future.
Seyma Shabbir says
No my pet does not know this trick. This would be awesome to learn.
Robyn Bellefleur says
My dogs do not know this trick.
KaylaKayla says
This is such a cute idea!!! I’m going to try this out with my two dogs! 🙂
Jonathan says
My dog does not know this trick, but these are great tips!
Sarah Mayer says
My dog knows this trick too!
Jerry Marquardt says
No, my pup, Don, does not know this trick.
wen budro says
No- my dog only knows how to roll over. I adopted her when she was an older dog……so no new tricks.
Debi says
We love learning new tricks! We use “sit high” rather than “beg” but it’s the same thing…and your technique looks very friendly and fun for the dog.
imgrum says
This is so cute!! I’m gonna try these tricks! Thank you for sharing the tutorial! I’ll keep the promise.
Ajoy varma says
Thanks for sharing all the tips and tutorial. Nice Things to learn. It is very friendly and cute. Helps to get more close to your pets.