Product Description

One of the reasons we share our lives with dogs is to enjoy their company – while they help us loosen our grip on this no–nonsense, career–driven world. Once you and your canine pal have serious training (for obedience, basic good behavior, and so on) under the belt, you can take the edge off by injecting the whole training process with some fun tricks and games.

Tricks and games are open to dogs of all sizes, shapes, and ages. Every dog can learn to do something they’ll enjoy. A Poodle, for example, can learn to dance. A retriever needs to fetch. Bichon Frises love their parlor tricks. Huskies want to pull a sled, herders love to herd, and so on. As for you, the dog owner, you  need to be sure your pooch knows who’s in charge. You need to be the trainer, not the trained, before you and your dog can move on to tricks and games.

Dog Tricks For Dummies makes trick training fun for you and your dog. You can teach simple tricks, like wagging the tail on command, and more complex ones, like fetching a soda from the refrigerator. This handy guide also shows you how to

• Use basic commands such as Sit, Stay, Down, and Go.
• Teach good manners: Potty in one place, settle in one spot, pick up toys
• Identify your dog′s personality: Eager Beaver, Comedian, Bully, and more
• Keep injuries at bay with a health plan
• Teach jumps (and when not to jump)
• Have fun in the snow: Sledding, skijoring, and tunneling
• Go hiking, backpacking, or carting with your dog
• Train your dog to run an agility course
• Play Frisbee and flyball
• Participate in pet therapy and at kids′ parties

Sharing your life with a dog shouldn’t be a militaristic venture, selfishly designed around what you want your dog to do. Owning a dog is about joining two different species, two different spirits, in a way that will make the world better for both.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #135831 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Back Cover
Easy–to–follow illustrations throughout

The quick and easy way to make trick training fun for you and your dog This fun and friendly guide shows you how to teach your dog tricks, from the simple (wagging his tail) to the extraordinary (fetching a soda from the refrigerator). Dogs of all sizes, shapes, and ages can learn new tricks, and this book's clear, step–by–step instructions show you how to train your special friend to perform.

Discover how to: Teach cool tricks Use basic commands Use tricks to solve behavioral problems Keep your dog motivated Participate in dog sports and games

The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear–out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com

About the Author
Sarah Hodgson has been training dogs for more than a decade and has appeared on TV shows such as NBC′s Today and The Rosie O′Donnell Show. She is the author of several dog books.

Customer Reviews

could be better
It has usefully tips for beginners but most of the tricks, were not that great and if you don't know much about dog training some of the tricks can cause behavioural problems. If you teach a dog to open cupboards or fridges, put a soda can in its mouth you can encourage food stealing. It depends on the nature of the individual dog wether it should be taught some of the tricks. If the dog was suitable as home help for a disabled person then maybe, but if I taught my dog to do these things she would steal all our food and get drunk on stolen beer! The section on fire alarm training was what i expected more of.