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Is Your Dog Ready to Learn Circus Tricks?

12/11/2012

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Before teaching your dog circus tricks, you need to determine if he or she is ready. It’s not a good idea to just rush your dog into learning complicated tricks. He might learn them. But will he really enjoy it? There are several things you should consider before training begins.

How well does your dog know basic commands? This is essential to performing circus tricks. If your dog doesn’t even know basic commands, it will be more difficult and confusing to teach circus tricks. Be sure your dog knows the basics very well before starting circus tricks. Basics include commands such as sit, stay, shake, up, down, fetch, drop it, leave it, and more.

Does your dog listen on command every time? A dog who follows instructions will be easier to train. Others can still learn tricks but it may take longer to get them down. In order to perform, a dog needs to crave obedience and listen on command each and every time. Otherwise, the performance may not go so well. Practice and positive reinforcement can help your dog master this – and even crave it.

Does your dog enjoy performing for you? Observe your dog. Is he or she happy doing tricks for you? If so, this is a good sign going into circus training. Dogs who enjoy performing for their owners may also enjoy performing for an audience. Though this is not always the case, it can be a good starting point for determining how your dog will perform on stage or in a circus ring.

Do you have motivational supplies on hand? Treats, a clicker, a favorite toy, or another reward may help motivate your dog to learn tricks. When there is a motivator behind completing a task, a dog is more likely to perform it. For some dogs, just hearing praise from their human is enough. But this won't be the case for all dogs. Be sure you have whatever your dog prefers on hand during all circus training sessions. When you are ready with your dog's motivational tools, your dog will be more ready to learn.

How is your dog around large crowds? Does your dog know how to relax in a crowded environment or does this cause stress? Watch your dog for signs of discomfort as well as signs of contentment around large groups of people. If your dog is too nervous or excited, positive training may help. Ultimately, the safety of your dog and people should come before your desire for your dog to perform in a circus.

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Preparing Your Dog to Learn Circus Tricks

12/11/2012

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Interested in teaching your dog circus tricks? Think your pooch has what it takes to learn how to perform? There may be more to it than you think. Some aspects of circus training for dogs are simple. But it is necessary to start preparing your dog slowly and early. They all learn at a different pace.

Bond with your dog. Hopefully you have done this already by default. This should be a priority, even if just to show your dog love. However, bonding with your dog is one of the best ways to ensure your dog is loyal and listens to commands. If your dog has not bonded with you, he or she may not feel there is a reason to listen to commands.

Teach starter tricks to your dog first. Before advancing to more complicated tricks, such as those your dog could perform in a circus, start with the basics. Start with tricks such as jumping up onto objects only on command, standing, spinning, laying down flat, and staying without the stay command. These will get your dog prepared for the more advanced tricks that use these commands along with added steps.

Practice starter tricks every day. Once your dog learns a trick, you should not stop practicing the trick with your dog. Most dogs will enjoy repeating the tricks daily and this is necessary to keep them in memory. It isn’t necessary to practice every single trick every day, especially once your dog knows many. But be sure to get in practice for every trick as often as possible – and at least some tricks every single day.

Make learning enjoyable. The point of teaching your dog tricks is not for him to serve you. It should be an enjoyable process for your dog as well. Most dogs love to perform for their owners and many love an audience as well. If you make the process fun and don’t stress over the time it takes to get each trick down, you’ll have a happy and well-adjusted performer. That always makes for a better show than an animal who needs to be forced – and you should never force your dog to perform any trick. If your dog is not having fun, give your dog a break and consider what you may be doing wrong.

Get your dog used to large crowds. A dog with stage fright is not going to perform well. Also, not all dogs who love people will love doing tricks for a large crowd. Start small by having your dog perform on a kitchen table for the family and work your way up to backyard shows, park shows, and more in preparation for larger crowds. Not only should your dog thrive in a large crowd, but he should also know when to play with people and when to put on the show. You can teach your dog this lesson with practice. Never let anyone interact with your dog during a performance unless it is part of the performance.

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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!

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