Teaching your dog tricks is a fun way to spend time together and also encourages bonding and improves his listening skills. Of the many tricks you can teach, catching food in his mouth is probably the easiest, because success comes with its own reward.
Step 1
Position your dog so that he is sitting down facing you. You should sit on a chair so that you are comfortable and not towering over top of him.
Step 2
Show your dog the treat. Choose something small that he can quickly eat. A dog biscuit or other treat that he needs to bite and chew up will not work.
Step 3
Toss the treat in the air, toward your pet, saying "catch" at the same time. If he catches it in his mouth, great, let him eat the treat and tell him he is a good boy. If he doesn't catch it, quickly scoop the treat up so he isn't rewarded for not catching it.
Step 4
Repeat the process until he can reliably catch his treat. Once he knows what he is doing, start to increase the distance between you and your dog.
References
- Cheryl May's Basic Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog To Do Tricks
- Dog Care: 101 Essential Tips; Dr. Bruce Fogle
Tips
- Commercial treats are often high in calories, so factor these treats in when feeding your dog, and keep an eye on his weight.