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Beyond teaching your dog basic commands, you should also try teaching them some cool tricks to challenge their minds.
Our furry friends have the capacity to learn cool dog tricks, and we think this is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
Teaching your dog cool tricks help in strengthening your bond, building their confidence, and exercising their mental capacity among other benefits.
Continue reading this guide as we show you 23 fun tricks to teach your dog. This includes tricks such as smile, clean toys, hug, and many more.
The best thing about these tricks is that you don’t need to be a certified dog trainer to teach your pooch cool things to do. First time dog owners can try too.
However, if you are completely new to dog training and you want to build some confidence, we recommend you go through our guide on dog training tips for beginners.
Without further ado, lets get straight into these easy tricks to teach your dog. Feel free to start with the ones you’re comfortable with.
22 Cool Dog Tricks
1. How To Teach a Dog to Smile
A smiling dog is guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day. The ‘smile’ command works by encouraging your dog to pull back their lips to expose their teeth in a subtle way.
It is one of those cool tricks for dogs that always gets a positive reaction from your friends and onlookers.
To teach your do the smile command, wait for a moment when they naturally lift their lips, such as during a yawn or when sniffing a treat held close to their nose.
Gently touch the side of your dog’s muzzle with your finger while holding a treat in your other hand.
Many dogs will instinctively curl their lips when their whisker area is lightly touched. The moment you see the lip movement, say ‘Smile’ and reward with the treat immediately.
Repeat the process in short training sessions. Over time, your dog will begin to associate the verbal cue with the lip movement and produce the “smile” on command.
2. How To Teach Your Dog Selfie
The selfie trick teaches your furry friend to pose next to your phone or camera on cue. This trick makes capturing those picture-perfect moments much easier.
This is one of the modern cool dog tricks to teach your dog and it is surprisingly practical for pet parents who love sharing photos of their furry friends.
Start by teaching your dog to target an object with their nose. Hold your phone in one hand and a treat just behind it with the other hand.
When your dog moves toward the phone and touches it with their nose, mark the behavior with a ‘Yes’ or a click and reward them.
Once your dog consistently targets the phone, you can now add the cue “Selfie” before presenting the phone.
3. How To Teach Your Dog to Put Their Head Down
Teaching head-down is one of those simple tricks to teach your dog that also has behavioral practical applications.
It is useful for grooming sessions, veterinary exams, and as a calming exercise for dogs who are prone to anxiety.
Begin with your dog in a down position. Hold a treat in your closed fist and place it on the ground between your dog’s front paws.
As your dog lowers their nose to investigate the treat, slowly slide your hand forward along the ground.
Your dog’s chin will naturally follow and rest on the floor. The instant their chin makes contact with the ground, mark the behavior and release the treat.
Repeat this process while gradually introducing the verbal cue “Head Down.” Over several sessions, increase the duration your dog holds the position before receiving the reward.
This simple trick pairs well with the stay command once your dog has mastered the basic movement.
4. How To Teach Your Dog to Hug
If you’ve ever got a hug from your dog, then you’ll agree with us that’s it’s one of the most cheering moments for a pet parent.
This trick teaches your dog to place their front paws on your arm or around your neck and hold the position briefly.
We think it works best with medium to large dogs who are comfortable with close physical contact.
Start by having your dog sit in front of you. Hold a treat in your hand and extend your forearm at your dog’s chest height.
Encourage your dog to place one paw and then both paws on your arm by luring them upward with the treat.
When both paws rest on your arm, say ‘Hug’ and reward immediately. Gradually lower the treat behind your arm so your dog leans in.
For smaller dogs, you can modify this trick by teaching them to place their paws on a stuffed animal or pillow instead.
Some dogs can feel unnatural when giving a hug, so we strongly suggest you be patient when teaching your dog.
5. How To Teach Your Dog to Weave
Teaching your dog to weave between your legs is an impressive and entertaining trick that also provides good physical coordination exercise.
This is a favorite among dog commands training enthusiasts who enjoy agility-style activities with their dogs.
Stand with your legs wide apart and hold a treat in one hand behind your legs. Lure your dog to walk between your legs from front to back.
When they pass through, praise and treat. Next, use a treat in your other hand to guide them around one leg and back to the front.
Repeat on the opposite side. You can fade out the treat lure once your dog consistently follows the path, and introduce a verbal cue like ‘Weave.’
Practice without a leash in a safe, enclosed space to prevent the leash from tangling around your legs.
This trick builds on your dog’s ability to follow hand signals and is excellent preparation for more advanced agility work.
6. How To Teach Your Dog to Bow
The bow is one of an easy dog tricks to teach because it mimics a natural play gesture that dogs already perform instinctively.
Professional trainers refer to this trick as a ‘play bow’ since dogs naturally use it to invite other dogs to play.
To teach this hold a treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly guide them straight down toward the floor between their front paws.
As their front end dips down, use your other hand or arm to gently support their belly to prevent them from going into a full down position.
The moment your dog’s chest approaches the floor while their hips remain up, say ‘Bow’ and reward.
7. How To Teach Your Dog to Speak
Training your dog to speak on command is useful for more than just entertainment. It may help solve some behavioral problems.
When paired with the ‘quiet’ command, it gives you control over your dog’s vocalization habits, which is particularly helpful for dogs prone to excessive barking.
The ‘speak’ command falls under foundational dog commands that every pet parent can benefit from teaching.
Identify a trigger that naturally causes your dog to bark, such as a doorbell sound, a knock on the door, or holding up a favorite toy.
When your dog barks in response to the trigger, immediately say ‘Speak’ and reward with a treat.
Repeat this process until your dog begins to connect the cue word with the action of barking. Gradually phase out the trigger and rely on the verbal cue alone.
It is important to only reward barking that occurs in direct response to your cue, you risk reinforcing unwanted barking behavior.
8. How To Teach Your Dog Snoot
The snoot challenge became popular on social media and involves your dog placing their nose through a circle formed by your hands or fingers.
We like it because, it is one of the most photogenic cool dog tricks and it builds on basic target training principles.
Start by forming a loose circle with your thumb and index finger. Hold a treat on the other side of the circle so your dog has to push their nose through to reach it.
When their snout passes through, mark the behavior with a ‘Yes’ and release the treat. Gradually tighten the circle as your dog becomes more confident with the movement.
Once your dog consistently pushes their nose through, add the verbal cue ‘Snoot’ before presenting your hand circle.
This trick is excellent for building your dog’s comfort with hand targeting and can be taught in just a few short sessions. It also makes for fantastic social media content.
9. How To Teach a Dog to Drop It
‘Drop it’ is one of the most important dog commands you can teach because it can prevent your dog from swallowing dangerous objects.
Begin by offering your dog a low-value toy to hold. Once they have it in their mouth, present a high-value treat near their nose.
Most dogs will release the toy to take the treat. The moment they let go, say ‘Drop it’ and hand over the treat.
Return the toy to your dog afterward so they learn that dropping items leads to good things and it’s not a loss.
Practice with items of increasing value over multiple sessions. This basic dog training skill is one that we strongly recommend all pet parents prioritize early on.
10. How To Teach a Dog to Wave
Teaching your dog to wave is a natural progression from the ‘shake’ command and makes for an endearing greeting.
Your dog will learn to lift one paw and move it in the air. This creates the appearance of waving hello or goodbye. It is one of those best tricks to teach your dog for impressing guests.
If your dog already knows how to shake, start there. Present your hand as if you are going to shake, but pull it back slightly just before your dog makes contact.
Their paw will naturally lift higher into the air. Mark this elevated paw movement with ‘Wave’ and reward.
If your dog does not know shake yet, hold a treat in your closed fist at paw level and wait for them to paw at your hand.
Reward any paw lifting motion and gradually shape it into a full wave. Practice until your dog offers the wave reliably from a sit position without you needing to extend your hand.
This trick typically takes just a few sessions of focused dog tricks training step by step practice to master.
11. How To Teach Your Dog To Roll Over
Rolling over is a classic trick that never fails to get a positive reaction. It requires your dog to lie on their belly, roll onto their back, and complete a full rotation back to the lying position.
You may think this trick is advanced, but most dogs can learn to roll over with a patient, step-by-step guidance.
Start with your dog in a down position. Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it toward their shoulder, encouraging them to turn their head.
As their head follows, their body will naturally begin to shift onto their side. Continue guiding the treat in an arc over their shoulders.
When your dog completes the roll, say ‘roll over’ and reward generously. Break the motion into smaller stages if your dog struggles with the full rotation at first.
12. How To Teach Your Dog Burrito
The burrito trick involves your dog rolling themselves up in a blanket. This results in an adorable ‘burrito wrap’ that is perfect for photos and social media.
It combines the roll-over motion with a blanket prop and is one of the more creative new tricks to teach your dog.
Your dog should already be comfortable with the roll-over command before attempting this trick.
Lay a small blanket flat on the ground and position your dog at one edge in a down position.
Place a treat at the opposite edge of the blanket to lure them into a roll. As they roll, the blanket will wrap around their body.
Say ‘Burrito’ as the blanket wraps around them and reward immediately. In the beginning, you may need to help tuck the blanket edge under your dog’s body to get the wrap started.
Make sure the blanket is lightweight so your dog does not feel restricted or uncomfortable during training.
13. How To Teach Your Dog To Clean Up Toys
This practical trick teaches your dog to pick up their toys and drop them into a designated basket or box.
Teaching your dog to clean up toys combines several foundational skills including ‘take it,’ ‘drop it,’ and target training.
Another advantage of a trick training like this is that it helps in building focus and problem-solving skills in dogs.
Before starting, make sure your dog understands ‘take it’ and ‘drop it’ reliably. Place a toy basket in a consistent location.
Hand your dog a toy over the basket and cue ‘Drop it.’ When the toy falls into the basket, reward with enthusiasm.
Gradually increase the distance between the toy and the basket, and encourage your dog to carry the toy to the basket before dropping it.
Once your dog reliably puts one toy away, start asking for two or three before rewarding. Add a specific cue like ‘Clean up’ or ‘Tidy up’ so your dog knows exactly what you expect.
14. How To Teach Your Dog to Hold Something
Teaching your dog to hold an item in their mouth without dropping or chewing it is a foundational skill for many advanced tricks.
Such tricks include fetching specific items, carrying a basket, and delivering objects to family members.
Start with a soft, easy-to-grip item like a plush toy or a lightweight stick. Offer the item to your dog and say ‘Take it.’
When they grab it, immediately say ‘Hold’ and count to two seconds before saying ‘Drop it’ and rewarding.
Gradually increase the hold duration in small increments. If your dog drops the item prematurely, gently reintroduce it and shorten the hold time before building up again.
Consistency is critical with this trick. Practice daily in short sessions and always reward successful holds.
15. How To Teach Your Dog to Wipe Their Mouth
We love this trick because it can be a practical solution to messy drinkers who leave trail of water across the house once they have a sip.
Teaching your dog to wipe their mouth on a towel after drinking is valuable and remarkable for daily convenience.
Place a snuffle mat or a towel with treats hidden in its folds near your dog’s water bowl. After your dog finishes drinking, point to the towel and say ‘Wipe.’
Your dog will naturally bury their muzzle into the towel to find the treats wiping their mouth in the process. Repeat this every time your dog drinks water so they build a consistent habit.
Over time, you can reduce the number of hidden treats and your dog will still perform the wipe motion in anticipation of the reward.
16. How To Teach Your Dog to Turn Around
‘Turn around’ teaches your dog to make a full 360-degree rotation in place, which is different from a spin because it emphasizes a slower, more controlled movement.
It is a useful dog commands training exercise that improves body awareness and coordination. Hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly guide it in a circle around their body.
Move the treat at a pace that encourages your dog to turn steadily rather than rushing. When they complete the full rotation, say ‘Turn around’ and reward.
Practice in both directions so your dog learns to turn left and right on separate cues.
Gradually phase out the treat lure and rely on a hand signal, such as a circular motion with your finger, paired with the verbal cue.
This trick can be incorporated into agility routines or used as a warm-up exercise before more demanding training sessions.
17. How To Teach Your Dog to Wipe His Paws
Coming in from a muddy walk only to have your dog track dirt through the house is a common frustration for pet parents.
Teaching your dog to wipe their paws on a mat before entering the home can save you significant cleanup time.
For more on keeping your dog’s paws in top condition, check out our guide on how to clean your dog’s paws.
Place a textured mat or towel by the door. Use a treat to lure your dog onto the mat and then encourage them to scratch or paw at the surface.
You can place treats under the mat to encourage scratching behavior. When your dog makes wiping motions with their paws, say ‘wipe paws’ and reward.
Practice this routine every time you return from a walk until your dog automatically goes to the mat and wipes before coming inside.
Positive dog training methods work best here because forcing your dog to stand on the mat will create a negative association with the behavior.
18. How to Teach Your Dog to Play Dead
‘Play dead’ is a dramatic and entertaining trick where your dog rolls onto their side and remains still, as if they have been knocked out.
It is one of the most popular cool dog tricks because of its theatrical effect, and it builds directly on the down and roll-over commands.
Start with your dog in a down position. Use a treat to lure them onto their side by guiding it from their nose toward their shoulder.
Once they are lying flat on their side, hold the treat still and wait for a moment of calm before rewarding.
Add a cue like ‘Bang’ while making a finger-gun gesture for added dramatic flair. The key is to reward stillness.
Gradually increase the duration your dog holds the ‘dead’ position before receiving their reward.
19. How To Teach Your Dog to Crawl
The army crawl is an impressive trick and a great physical exercise for your dog. It involves your dog moving forward while staying in a low, belly-to-the-ground position.
This trick is an excellent example of dog tricks easy to start but requiring some patience to perfect.
Have your dog lie down. Hold a treat just in front of their nose at ground level and slowly drag it forward.
Your dog should follow the treat with their nose while remaining in the down position. If they stand up, start over with a shorter distance.
Mark and reward any forward movement made while their belly stays on the ground. Gradually increase the crawling distance over multiple sessions.
You can then add the verbal cue ‘crawl’ once your dog consistently moves forward in the low position.
20. How To Teach Your Dog to Balance a Treat on Their Nose
This trick showcases your dog’s self-control and patience by having them balance a treat on the bridge of their nose without eating it until you give the release cue.
Start by asking your dog to sit. Gently hold their muzzle steady with one hand and place a treat on the flat part of their nose with the other.
Say ‘Wait’ or ‘Steady’ and hold the treat in place for just a second before saying ‘OK’ and allowing them to flip and catch the treat.
Gradually reduce the amount of support you provide until your dog holds the treat independently.
A good way to start is with flat, easy-to-balance treats and work up to rounder or more challenging shapes.
This trick requires a solid understanding of the stay command, so we recommend your dog has that foundation before attempting this one.
21. How To Teach Your Dog Peekaboo
Peekaboo involves your dog walking between your legs from behind and sitting while facing forward, with their head poking out from between your knees.
It is an adorable trick that also serves as a useful positioning exercise for dogs who participate in obedience competitions or rally events.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a treat behind you and lure your dog between your legs from back to front.
Once they pass through and sit facing forward, say ‘Peekaboo’ and reward.
If your dog is hesitant to go between your legs, start by rewarding them for simply standing behind you, then gradually shape the behavior toward the full peekaboo position.
This trick is great for dog enrichment and can be combined with other tricks to create a full routine.
For more activities that keep your dog mentally engaged, explore our list of dog enrichment ideas.
22. How To Teach Your Dog to Close a Door
Teaching your dog to close a door is a functional trick that makes your home life a little easier, and it never fails to amaze visitors.
This trick relies on nose or paw targeting and is a stepping stone toward more complex service-dog-level behaviors.
Start by teaching your dog to touch a sticky note or a piece of tape with their nose. This is called ‘target training’).
Reward them each time they touch the target. Once they do this reliably, stick the target on an open door at your dog’s nose height.
When your dog touches the target, the force of their push should begin to move the door. Mark and reward each time the door moves, even slightly.
Gradually require a firmer push before rewarding, until the door closes fully. Add the verbal cue ‘Close it’ or ‘Door.’ Remove the target once your dog understands the behavior.
This is one of the more advanced tricks on this list, but with dog tricks training step by step practice, most dogs can learn it within a few weeks.
Conclusion
From the above 22 cool dog tricks, we hope you have seen that your dog can learn more than the usual ‘sit and stay’.
Having the right training treats on hand makes a significant difference in keeping your dog motivated throughout each session.
We recommend Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Training Treats. They are soft, bite-sized, and only 2 calories each. This means you can reward frequently without worrying about overfeeding.
They come in several flavors, including chicken, beef, salmon, and peanut butter, and are free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives.
The most important piece of dog training advice we can offer is to start with the tricks your dog enjoys and build from there.
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Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
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