🐩 basic tricks course
Learning tricks is not only useful — it’s also fun.
The Toy Poodle is one of the most intelligent breeds in the world, and not teaching it anything would be a missed opportunity.
Training together strengthens your bond, helps your dog stay more balanced, and makes everyday life much more engaging.
And besides… you’ll be proud of your dog 😉
Before starting these tricks, we recommend that you’ve already gone through our puppy and everyday life training courses, and that you have a basic understanding of how your dog thinks.
❓ Preparation: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Basic tricks step by step
🐾 Give paw.
Giving paw is usually one of the first tricks many dogs learn because it’s easy, looks great, and gives quick results. It also helps the dog understand the basic training dynamic: listen, try an action, and receive a reward.
How to teach it step by step:
1. Place the dog in front of you
Start in a calm place, without noise or distractions. Your dog should be focused and willing to participate. 2. Prepare a small reward
Use something your dog really likes and can eat quickly. Ideally, it shouldn’t require much chewing so you don’t break the rhythm. 3. Close the treat in your hand. Show your closed hand at the level of the dog’s nose. Most dogs will first try to sniff, lick, or touch it with their nose. 4. Wait patiently. Don’t give the command yet. Your goal is to wait until the dog, on its own, lifts a paw to try to get the treat. 5. As soon as it touches your hand with the paw, mark and reward. At that exact moment, say a short marker like “Good!” or use your usual cue, and open your hand to give the reward. 6. Repeat several times. Do it a few times so the dog starts to understand which action works. 7. Add the verbal cue. Once the dog begins offering the paw quickly, add the word: “paw”. Say the cue first, present your hand, and reward when it does it. 8. Start showing an empty hand. When the dog understands the exercise, repeat it without hiding food in your hand. Give the reward from your other hand or your pocket. This way, the dog learns to respond to the signal, not just to look for food.
⚠️Common mistakes: Repeating “paw, paw, paw” many times. If you keep repeating the word, the dog stops understanding what it actually means. The cue should be said once. 👉Not waiting long enough. Sometimes the dog needs a few seconds to figure it out.
If you help too quickly, you don’t give it a chance to think. 👉Rewarding too late.
If you give the reward late, the dog may not associate it with lifting the paw, but with something it did afterward. 👉Opening your hand too soon. If the dog gets the treat just by sniffing or pushing with its nose, it won’t have a reason to use its paw.
👉Taking the paw and moving it yourself. This can confuse the dog and make the trick less clear. It’s better if the action comes from the dog. 👉Doing too many repetitions.If the session goes on too long, the dog loses interest and starts performing worse.
🐾 Give both paws
How to teach it::
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Start from “give paw.”
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Ask for the other paw.
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Reward when the dog lifts both paws.
⚠️ Common mistakes:
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Going too fast without reinforcing the first paw.
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Confusing the dog with unclear signals.
🐶 Sit
The “sit” command is one of the most important.
It’s the foundation for many other exercises and helps calm the dog and manage its behavior.. 🎯 Objective: The dog should: 👉sit when asked,
👉hold the position for a few seconds, 👉do it without needing to see food.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1. 🐕 Place your dog in front of you. Choose a calm place with no distractions. 2. 🍖 Use a small treat. Something your dog likes and can eat quickly. 3. ✋ Move the treat upward. Guide it from the dog’s nose upward and slightly back. Naturally, the dog will sit. 4. 🗣️ Mark and reward. As soon as the dog sits: 👉 say “good!” (or use your marker), and give the treat. 5. 🔁 Repeat several times. So the dog understands which action works. 6. 🧠 Add the verbal cue. When the dog starts doing it easily: 👉 say “sit”,, 👉 then make the hand gesture. 7. 👋 Introduce a visual signal. For example: palm up or a slight upward hand movement..
⏱️ Practice time: 5–10 minutes, several times a day. Always stop when the dog is doing it well.
⚠️ Common mistakes: 🔁 Repeating the command too many times: “sit, sit, sit…”→ the dog stops understanding.✋ Pushing the dog down → can create resistance or confusion. ⏳ Rewarding too late → the dog won’t associate the action correctly. 😤 Sessions that are too long → the dog loses interest. 📍 Changing the signal every time → confuses the dog.
🐶 Down
The “down” command helps your dog relax and is very useful in everyday life.
It also improves self-control and serves as a foundation for more advanced training.
🎯 Goal. Your dog should:
👉lie down when you ask, 👉stay in position, 👉remain calm.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1. 🐕 Start from “sit”. It’s much easier to teach “down” from this position. 2. 🍖 Use a treat. Hold it in front of your dog’s nose.
3. ✋Lower your hand to the ground. Move the treat slowly down and slightly forward.
The dog will follow the movement and lie down. 4. 🗣️ Mark and reward. As soon as the dog lies down: 👉 say “good!” (or your marker),and give the treat. 5. 🔁 Repeat several times.. So the dog understands the movement. 6. 🧠 Add the verbal cue. When the dog starts doing it easily: 👉 say “down” (or your preferred cue), then make the hand gesture. 7. 👋 Add a visual signal. You can use: a hand moving down toward the ground, or palm facing down.
⏱️ Practice time. Short sessions (5–10 minutes), several times a day. Always finish on a positive note.
⚠️ Common mistakes. 🚫 Trying to teach it without “sit” → makes learning much harder. ⬇️ Moving your hand too quickly → the dog won’t follow the movement. 😤 Forcing the dog → creates resistance. 🔁 Repeating the command too many times → it loses meaning.
⏳ Not rewarding at the exact moment → causes confusion.
🐍 Crawl
The “crawl” command teaches your dog to move forward without getting up from the ground. It’s a great exercise to improve body control, focus, and obedience..
🎯 Goal. Your dog should: 👉move forward without standing up, 👉keep the body close to the ground, 👉do it in a controlled way.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1.🐶 Start from “down”. Your dog should be fully lying down and relaxed. 2.🍖 Use a treat. Place it right in front of your dog’snose.
3. ✋ Move the treat forward (very low). Slide your hand slowly forward, almost touching the ground. The dog will try to move forward without getting up. 4.🗣️ Mark and reward. As soon as the dog moves forward, even a little: 👉 say “good!” (or your marker), and give the treat immediately. 5.🔁 Repeat with short movements. At first, just a few centimeters are enough. 6.🧠 Add the verbal cue.
When the dog starts to understand: 👉 say “crawl”, then make the gesture. 7.📏 Increase the distance gradually. First 1 step → then 2 → then more. 👋 Visual signal: A low hand moving forward or a palm close to the ground. 👉 Very important: keep the gesture clear and consistent. ⏱️ Practice time: Short sessions, few repetitions. Stop when your dog is doing it well.
🐕 Stand (Stand Stay)
The “stand” command teaches your dog to get up and remain standing without moving. It’s very useful for grooming, check-ups, shows, and general control.
🎯 Goal. Your dog should:
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stand up when asked,
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remain standing,
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not sit or lie down.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1. 🐶 Start from “sit” or “down”. It’s easier to begin from a clear position. 2.🍖 Use a treat. Hold it in front of your dog’s nose.
3.✋ Move it forward and slightly upward. This will naturally encourage your dog to stand up. 4.🗣️ Mark and reward.
As soon as your dog stands: 👉 say “good!” (or your marker), 👉 and give the treat immediately. 5.⏳ Hold for a few seconds.
Wait 1–2 seconds before rewarding, (gradually increase the time). 6.🧠 Add the verbal cue. When your dog understands the movement:
👉 say “stand”, then make the gesture. 7.📏 Increase duration. First a few seconds → then longer.👋 Recommended signal.
Word: “stand”. Gesture: hand moving upward. ⏱️ Practice time: Short sessions, few repetitions. Stop when your dog is doing it well.
⚠️ Common mistakes: ⬆️ Moving too fast → the dog doesn’t understand. 😤 Asking for too much time at the beginning → the dog sits or lies down. 🔁 Repeating the command too many times → it loses value. 🍖 Rewarding before the dog is stable → the dog won’t hold the position. Important tip: At the beginning: reward just standing up. Later: reward staying in position.
🪑 Paws Up (Front Paws on an Object)
This exercise teaches your dog to place the front paws on an object (like a stool).
It helps improve balance, coordination, and focus.
🎯 Goal. Your dog should:
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place the front paws on an object,
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hold the position,
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do it in a controlled way.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1.🪑 Choose a stable object. It can be a stool, a box, or a low surface. 👉 Important: it must not move. 2. 🐶 Place your dog in front of it.
Calmly facing the object. 3.🍖 Use a treat. Hold it in front of your dog’s nose. 4.✋ Guide upward. Move the treat toward the object.
Your dog will try to reach it and place the front paws on it. 5.🗣️ Mark and reward. As soon as your dog touches the object with the paws:
👉 say “good!” (or your marker), and give the treat immediately. 6.🔁 Repeat several times. So the dog understands the action.
7.🧠 Add the verbal cue. When your dog starts doing it easily: 👉 say “up” or “paws”, then make the gesture. 👋 Recommended signal:
👉 Word: “up” / “paws”. Gesture: hand moving upward toward the object. ⏱️ Practice time: Short sessions, few repetitions. Stop when your dog is doing it well. ⚠️ Common mistakes: ⚠️ Unstable object → the dog loses confidence. ⬆️ Too much height → the dog may struggle or get scared. 😤 Forcing the dog → creates resistance. 🔁 Repeating the command too many times → it loses value.
⏳ Rewarding too late → the dog won’t understand what it did right.
💡 Important tip: At the beginning: reward just touching the object. Later: reward holding the position.
✋ Follow the Hand
This exercise teaches your dog to follow your hand.
It’s one of the foundations of training and makes it easier to teach many other commands.
🎯 Goal. Your dog should:
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follow your hand with focus,
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maintain attention,
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move with you without getting distracted.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1.🐶 Place your dog in front of you. Choose a calm place with no distractions. 2.🍖 Use a treat in your hand. Your dog should know you have something interesting. 3.✋ Show your hand near the nose. Don’t touch —just close enough to encourage your dog to follow.
4.➡️ Start moving your hand. Use smooth movements: side to side, forward, slightly up or down.5.🗣️ Mark and reward. When your dog follows your hand correctly: 👉 say “good!” (or your marker), and give the treat immediately.
6.🔁 Repeat several times. So your dog understands the game. 7.🧠 Add a verbal cue (optional). You can use: 👉 “follow me”, or work only with the gesture. 👋 Recommended signal: A clear, visible hand with smooth, consistent movements. ⏱️ Practice time: Short sessions, many repetitions. ⚠️ Common mistakes: ⬆️ Sudden movements → the dog loses the track.📏 Hand too far away → the dog loses interest. 😤 Going too fast → creates confusion. 🔁 Repeating too much without rewarding → the dog loses motivation.
💡 Key tip: 👉 This is not just a trick. It’s the foundation for many other exercises.
🔄 Roll Over
The “roll over” command teaches your dog to turn over onto its back and roll.
It’s a fun trick that improves coordination, confidence, and your bond.
🎯 Goal. Your dog should:
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lie down,
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roll completely over the body,
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do it smoothly.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1.🐶 Start from “down”. Your dog should be relaxed and comfortable. 2.🍖 Use a treat. Place it close to your dog’s nose. 3.🔄 Move your hand to the side. Guide the treat toward the shoulder. Your dog will begin to turn. 4.🔁 Continue the motion. Keep guiding your hand so the dog completes the roll. 5.🗣️ Mark and reward. As soon as the dog finishes the roll: 👉 say “good!” (or your marker), and give the treat immediately. 6.🔁 Repeat several times. So your dog understands the full movement. 7.🧠 Add the verbal cue. When your dog is doing it well: 👉 say “roll” or “roll over”, then make the gesture. 👋 Recommended signal: Word: “roll” / “roll over”. Gesture: hand drawing a circle.
⏱️ Practice time: Short sessions, few repetitions. Stop when your dog is doing it well. ⚠️ Common mistakes: ↩️ Not guiding the movement properly → the dog stops halfway. 😤 Forcing the dog → creates resistance. 🔁 Repeating too much → the dog gets tired.⏳ Rewarding before the movement is complete → the dog won’t finish the roll.
💡 Important tip: 👉 Break the exercise into steps if needed: first half roll, then full roll.
🌊 Learning to Swim
Not all dogs know how to swim naturally.
Although Poodles usually adapt well to water, it’s important to teach them gradually so they feel safe.
🎯 Goal. Your dog should:
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enter the water without fear,
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swim calmly,
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enjoy the experience.
🪜 How to Teach It Step by Step
1.🌿 Start in a calm place. Choose shallow water, no waves, no noise. 2.🐶 Let your dog explore. Don’t force it. Allow your dog to approach the water at its own pace. 3.👣 Go in first. Many dogs follow their owner. This builds confidence. 4.🍖 Use motivation. You can use treats, a toy, or call your dog 👉 to invite it into the water. 5.🌊 Go gradually deeper. First paws → then a bit more. Take your time.
6.🗣️ Reinforce every step. For each positive action: 👉 say “good!” (or your marker), and reward.
7.🛟 Support if needed. At the beginning you can: 👉 gently hold your dog, stay close and guide it.
👋 Recommended signal: Word: “let’s go” / “water”. Gesture: inviting with your hand
⏱️ Practice time: Short, positive sessions. Never force the process.
⚠️ Common mistakes: 🚫 Throwing the dog into the water → can create lasting fear. 😤 Forcing entry → causes resistance.
🌊 Starting in deep water → creates insecurity. ❄️ Cold or uncomfortable water → leads to a negative experience.
💡 Key tip: 👉 The goal is not just to make your dog swim but to build trust in the water.