How to Balance a Treat on a Dog's Nose

Teaching a dog how to balance a treat on his nose is always a great trick to learn. In addition to him learning a trick, he learns how to listen better, how to follow directions and how to actually earn his treat instead of getting it for no reason. Teaching your dog to balance a treat on his nose can be difficult, but it can be taught with some patience from you and good listening skills from your dog.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Show your dog the treat so that she knows she is working for something that she wants.

2. Have your dog sit down directly in front of you. Put your hand flat under the dog's chin. You will keep your hand in this position until the treat is correctly balanced on the dog's nose. Take your other hand and very, very lightly guide your dog's nose down so that it is straight across and at an even level.

3. Look directly into your dog's eyes and tell her to "Stay." Keep repeating "Stay" all throughout the trick, and say it firmly. Once the dog stops hearing the command, she is likely to move and drop the treat.

4. Take a small treat and put it directly on the end of the dog's nose. If you put the treat too close to the dog's eyes, the dog will looks cross-eyed because she is trying to look at the treat.

5. Have the dog wait a few seconds with the treat on her nose, then say "Go." The dog will then try to get the treat off her nose and get it into her mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• Your dog should already be able to follow the command "Stay."
• After you position the treat on the dog's nose, don't worry if he moves his head and it's no longer even, as long as it's at a position where he can still keep the dog treat balanced.
• Don't lose patience! It may take a few times, but the dog will be able to do it.

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