"Do this regularly and your dog will move to safety by himself when a motor car approaches."
Dog Training Tricks
BEG
Put your dog on leash and tell him to "Sit!" Then hold a piece of meat or dog candy above his head. Encourage him with "Beg! Beg!" When he lifts his paws from the floor, praise him and give him the tidbit. If he stands on his back legs, take the food away, tell him to sit and then start over again.
Or, hold your dog in a sitting-up position by lifting both paws until he learns to balance on his haunches.
SHAKE
Make your dog sit. Then hold out your hand. When you say "Shake" or "Give paw!" tap the heel of one paw lightly. At the same time, push him slightly off balance with your other hand. While you hold his paw, give him his reward.
PLAY POSSUM
Make your dog lie on his side. Then soothe him by stroking him gently. Keep repeating "Play Possum, Stay!" When he relaxes, take your hands away. Release him by saying "O.K.!"
ROLL OVER
After your dog learns "Play Possum!" teach him "Roll Over!" Put him on his side. Then take hold of the front and backpaws on the underside of his body. Say "Roll Over!" Then quickly flip him over. When he jumps to his feet, praise him and pat him. The circle motion used to flip your dog over later becomes the signal for this trick.
CATCH
Use a soft ball and throw it into the air. A hard ball thrown with force directly at your dog might break a tooth. When you throw the ball say "Catch!" It may bounce off his nose a few times but he will soon learn to grab for it when he sees it coming.
JUMP!
Buy a play hoop or make one out of wire. Put your dog on leash, slip the leash through the center of the hoop, say "Jump!" and pull him through. Hold the hoop low and say "Jump!" before you pull on the leash, so your dog will learn to jump on command.
"Learning that your new pooch is deaf is the first hurdle any owner must accept."
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