How to Teach a Dog to Beg

Teaching your dog tricks is easy if your dog already knows the basic obedience commands like sit, stay and down. Not only will you incorporate these basic commands into training sessions when you teach new tricks, but your dog will have already learned that paying attention during training brings praise and rewards. Remember, teaching your dog tricks should be fun for both of you, so grab some treats and get started by teaching your dog to beg.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog treats

Basic Dog Training Techniques

1. Take your dog to the veterinarian to make sure he has no hip or orthopedic problems before you begin training. You don't want to teach your dog a trick that may cause him pain.
   
   

2. Find out what your dog loves most and use it as a reward when he obeys a command or successfully completes a trick. For some dogs food is the best treat, for others your praise and a pat on the back are what he most desires.

3. Make training sessions fun for your dog. Never yell or hit your dog. Speak the command in a firm voice and then give him lavish praise when he responds correctly.
   
   

4. Train in 5 to 15 minute sessions. If you or your dog are getting tired or frustrated, stop the session and try again later. Be patient. Teaching a dog tricks will take longer for some than others

5. End each session on a positive note with praise and treats for your dog. He should look forward to training sessions like your special playtime.
   
   

Teach a Dog to Beg

6. Tell your dog to sit and stay and wait until he has remained there unmoving for a few seconds.

7. Hold a treat just above his nose so he has to look up at the treat. Tell him to
   "Beg".
   

8. Pull the treat away and tell him "No" if he jumps for the treat. Get him to sit again.
   
   

9. Don't give the treat until your dog is sitting with both front paws raised in the air to "Beg". Some dogs will naturally take this stance when a treat is raised above their heads but others may have difficulty gaining their balance.

10. Stand behind your dog and support his back with your legs if he has difficulty getting his balance. You can also raise one foot at a time while giving the "Beg" command to help him understand what you want him to do.

11. Don't reward him until the trick is completed. Sitting on his haunches and raising only one foot is "Shake" not "Beg".

12. Continue to practice the trick until your dog immediately sits and "begs" when a treat is held over his head.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog has difficulty learning to beg, try teaching him to "shake other paw" instead. If he already knows how to shake, it should be easy to teach him to shake the "other paw". When he shakes one paw and then the other, reward him when both paws are off the ground and say "Beg". Eventually he will learn to raise both paws off the ground when he hears the command "Beg".
• Don't make your dog stay in a "Beg" position too long. This is an uncomfortable position for most dogs, especially large ones.