Trick Training

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So what do you want to teach your dog to do?  If you understand Basic Training concepts, tricks are easy.

Beg - Put your dog in a sitting position, hold a treat above your dogs head, lift it up until the dogs front feet come off the ground.

* Warning - Young dogs do not have the muscle strength or control to perform this trick. Alex put his front feet, on my hand, for several months before he could actually balance on his own.

Dance - This is a modification of beg.
Hold the treat higher, until they come up onto their hind feet.
Once they get this down, start moving your hand around, up and down. They will be dancing with you in no time.

Wave - Start in sitting position, hold a treat in your closed hand. Most dogs will nudge it with their nose, then try to get it with their paw. Reward as soon as the paw comes up the first time. Ask for more  waves before rewarding.

Play Dead - This a good one to reward for natural behavior. Tell them what they are doing and treat them for it, soon they will gladly move into that position with a command. Just catch your dog stretched out with their feet in the air. "good dead dog".
You can also lead them into this position with treats.

                    Are you seeing a pattern here yet?
        Set the stage, lead the dog into the position you want.
                     Reward the appropriate behavior.

Roll Over - Start in down position, lead the dog to roll over with a treat. Increase the movement until they roll completely over. You can ask for multiple rolls.

Over / Under - For a small dog/puppy, you can use your legs. Sit on the floor, lead the dog under your bent legs, or over them.