Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello Friends!
Welcome to my tricky Tuesday! Today we will learn about another pawsome trick I know. I am still learning this one and since we have been pretty busy I haven't had very much time to practice this week. I can still do it pretty good, but you can see I try to cheat a little!

CRAWL


Here's what your owner should do:
1. Get some yummy doggie treats!
2. Have your dog lay down. Hold a treat on the ground right in front of your dog.
3. Slowly move your hand back. If your dog gets up, have her lay down again and start again.
4. If your dog starts to crawl forward say "Good Crawl!" and give her a treat!
5. Gradually move the treat further away before rewarding your dog.
6. When your dog is crawling after the treat consistently start the treat further away from her. The goal is to have your dog crawl without you having to drag the treat in front of her. (I am still learning this part)

As always, keep training sessions short and fun for your dog. Don't get frustrated if your dog is struggling with a command, move on to something she knows well and revisit the new on at a later time. Remember these are just the steps that worked for me and Owner Girl. If they don't seem to work for you and your dog, don't worry! There are many other resources and professionals that can help you.

Good luck and happy training everyone!

ALSO! Bingo starts tomorrow! Sign up by the end of the day today if you want to play!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello Friends!

Here are today's Bingo numbers in case you missed them on the Bingo Page:Also, I added a sign up form for the next game at the top of my sidebar, please sign up if you want to play (even if you are playing the first game)!

Now for a pawsome trick I know!

JUMP!
(Owner Girl didn't upload the video yet
cuz she is being very lazy busy with making
a HUGE mess of the bathroom doing
something called "re-deck-or-ate-ing")

Here's what your owner should do:

1. As always get some yummy, super delicious doggy treats.

2. Have your dog sit or stand in front of you and do something that will make your dog jump! Try jumping up and down, throwing a toy up or just getting him very excited! (Try not to let him jump ON you!)

3. When he jumps say "jump" then "good boy" and reward with a treat!

4. After a few times of him jumping like this, phase out the thing you are using to make him jump (toy, you jumping, etc) and start using a hand signal in addition to the command. (My Owner Girl puts her arm out, hand in a fist with fingers down and pulls her hand up when giving the command)

5. Once your dog gets the hang of this trick, try giving him the command when he is calmer. If your dog doesn't seem to be getting this trick, be patient. I know some doggies that really just don't like to jump.

6. Keep training short and fun for your dog and don't get frustrated if your dog doesn't seem to be catching on. Move on to something your dog knows well and always end the session on a happy note!

7. As always, these are just the steps that worked for me and Owner Girl. If they aren't working for you and your dog, don't worry! There are many professionals and resources out there that can help you find the best way for you and your dog!


Good luck and happy training everyone!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Happy Inauguration Day!I hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Today we will learn another pawsome trick I know!
I bet President Obama has done lots of this today!

WAVE

Here's what your owner should do:

1. Don't forget to get some yummy, delicious doggy treats!

2. This trick is bet taught after your dog already knows high five or shake! Have your dog sit.

3. Give your dog the signal or command for high five, when your dog lifts his paw move your hand away and say "wave" and give a yummy treat!

4. After a few times only give the command "wave". At first have your dog lift her paw once but after she gets the hang of it, have her lift it twice before getting a treat.

5. As your dog gets better at this trick, you can try moving further away to give the command and use a dedicated hand signal (my Owner Girl does a open palm wave, like a windsheild wiper). I wouldn't recommend using a wave where you fold your fingers down because it can look a lot like the signal for speak.

6. As always keep training sessions short and fun for your dog! Don't get frustrated if your dog isn't getting the command you are working on. Move on to a different one that she knows well instead and revisit the new one at another time.

Also, these are just the steps that worked for me and Owner Girl. If they are not working for you don't worry! There are many other resources and professionals that can help you find the best way for you and your dog!

Good luck and happy training everyone!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello Friends!
Welcome to MY Tricky Tuesday! Today we will be learning another pawsome trick I know!
This one is called...

WHICH HAND?
(Bad cellphone pic of a pic on good camera, long story)

Here's what your owner should do:

1. Remember to get some yummy treats!

2. Have your dog sit.

3. Put one treat in one hand then turn both hands over in fists and put them in front of your dog. He may sniff at your hands but don't open your hand to give him the treat until he puts his paw on the correct hand.

4. If your dog is only smelling you can lift his paw to your hand to show him what to do.

5. Once your dog is "tapping" your hand consistently you can start making the trick a little more of a challenge. Hold the treat up where your dog can see it. Then switch the treat from hand to hand a few times (slowly at first) before closing both and asking your dog "which hand?"

6. Before long your dog will be a pro and will impress all he meets with his skill and intelligence!

Always remember to keep training sessions short and fun for your dog. If he doesn't seem to be getting a trick, don't get frustrated, move on to one he knows well and revisit the new one later.
These are just the steps that worked for me and Owner Girl. If they don't seem to be working for you and your dog, don't worry! There are many resources and professionals that can help you!

Good Luck & Happy Training!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday! & An Award

Hello friends!

So sorry for the disturbance yesterday. I have had a serious talk with the guilty parties and we are in negotiations right now. Owner Girl thinks I should let them post every now and then so that I can have a bloggy break. Plus it might help me make some kitty cat friends. But I'm not so sure I want them on my blog, it's supposed to be all about me! I'll keep you posted...

In other news, I got a wonderful award from Levi!
The award states: "This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!" In other words, blogs that receive this award "are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I would like to pass this award on to:

Bae Bae
Clover
Dannan
Dozer & Cooper
Fenway
Mona
Persephone & Buster
Three Happy Heelers

Now onto the super cool trick I know!

BOW
(Sorry for the less than pawfect pic, Owner Girl was in a hurry)

Here's what your owner should do:

1. As always get some yummy treats!

2. Have your dog stand. Hold a treat low to the ground slightly in front of your dog.

3. If your dog starts to lay down put your other hand under her belly to hold it up while her top half is down. Have her stay in that position for a few seconds and then give her the treat!

4. Some dogs will stretch out in a "bow-like" position, if your dog does use those opportunities to teach her this trick. When she first gets up wait for her to stretch out like that and when she does say "good Bow" and give her a treat!

5. As your dog gets better at bowing, you can try having her do it without your hand holding her up. Also, you can have her stay in that position for a little longer before giving her the treat.

6. Once your dog is performing this trick consistently you can phase out the treats and phase in a simplified hand signal.

7. Your dog will be bowing with the best of them in no time.

As always, these are just the steps that worked for me and Owner Girl. If they don't seem to be working for you and your dog, don't worry! There are many other resources and professionals out there that can help you! Remember to keep training sessions short and fun for your dog.
Good luck and Happy Training!

Tibby's Tricky Thursday!

Hello Friends!

Before we get to my trick I have an urgent matter to discuss! I think that Owner Girl is turning into a dog! She has been making these barking noises and sniffing really loud. Plus she is starting to lose her human voice! I haven't seen her walking around on all fours or going potty outside yet, so I can't be sure! I sure hope she's not cuz then I'd have to share my toys and food with her!

Ok, now for the pawsome trick I know!

BELLY UP(Owner Girl photographic skills have really been lacking. Which only adds to my above theory!)

Here's what your owner should do:

1. As always get some yummy, fantastic, mouth watering treats!

2. Have your dog lay down.

3. If your dog knows how to roll over, have him do that but stop him when he gets to the "belly up" position. Give him a treat and say the command belly up!

4. If your dog doesn't know how to roll over then follow the steps for teaching him roll over but don't have him do a complete roll.

5. Once your dog is going into the belly up position without you keeping him from rolling over all the way or nudging him into the position, you can try giving him the "belly up" command only when he is laying down. It's probably a good idea to continue using helpful hand motions and treats at this point.

6. When your dog is doing "Belly Up" consistently you can phase out hand movements or switch to a simplified hand signal. Eventually you can also phase out the treats. (although there is no guarantee your dog will perform the trick without them!)

7. Remember to keep training sessions short and fun for your dog. If he is having a lot of trouble with something, don't get frustrated. Move on to a trick he knows well and revisit the new one at another time!

8. This is a great position for giving lots of belly rubs! If your dog likes to roll onto his back for belly scratches already you can use those opportunities to teach him this trick! When you are treating him to a nice belly rub, throw in a few "good belly up!"s and he will catch on in no time!

As always, these are just the steps that worked for me and Owner Girl. If they don't seem to be working for you and your dog, don't worry! There are many resources and professionals out there that can help you! Good Luck and happy training!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Thanks so much for your thoughts and kind words on Owner Girl's Grandma's passing. It makes us feel a little better knowing we have such great friends!

Now we will return to our regularly scheduled programming and that means...
Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!
Today I will teach you a trick that is very useful in photo shoots!

WATCH ME(Owner Girl didn't get a very good picture
but at least I was doing my part: looking cute for the camera!)

Here's what your owner should do:

1. First and foremost, get some super duper delicious treats!

2. Have your dog sit, hold a treat in your hand around your chest or shoulder level.

3. Most dogs will probably be staring at the treat but if not try to draw your dog's attention to it.

4. Once she is focused on the treat, move it up to your eye level. When your dog looks at you, give her the treat!

5. At first, use the command "watch me" right when your dog looks at you. Once she starts to catch on you can say it before moving the treat to your eyes.

6. When your dog is getting the hang of it, try starting the treat in a few different spots (at arms length, at floor, etc) You can also try using other things to distract your dog so that she learns she should look at you regardless of what has her attention at the moment.

7. As your dog improves at this trick, you can phase out the treats.

This is a great trick because it not only helps you get your dogs attention, it also teaches her to focus on you. If your dog seems reluctant to look at you, don't push it. Some dogs can feel threatened or scared by eye contact. These are just the steps that worked for me! If they don't seem to be working on your dog, there are many professionals out there that can help you find the best way for your dog!

Good luck and happy training!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello friends!
Sorry this post is so late! Owner Girl has been slacking today and hasn't been helping me do my blog! For the love of dog it's almost Tibby's Tricky Wednesday at this point and that doesn't sound nearly as cool!
Oh well, here's today's trick:

STICK 'EM UPHere's what your owner should do:

1. As always have some yummy treats on hand.

2. Have your dog sit and then beg. When your dog goes into the beg position, move the treat higher above his head. If he move his paws up, that's great give him the treat when his paws are in the air.

3. If your dog stands up or jumps for the treat, have him sit and beg again. This time use your hand to gently guide his paws up to the "stick 'em up" position. While his paws are up there, give him the treat and say the command "stick 'em up".

4. Once your dog is putting his paws up without your help, you can add in a hand motion (like a pretend gun with your hand) as well as the command.

5. When your dog is performing consistently with the hand motion and command you can phase out the treats.

6. If this move seems uncomfortable for your dog, don't push it, I know lots of dogs that just can't get this trick because they are too big or can't balance that well. Also, there are many professional dog trainers that can help you find the best way for your dog to learn.

Keep training sessions short and fun, and if your dog seems to be stuck or not getting something move on to a trick he already knows well! Always end on a positive note with some praise or playtime!
Happy training everyone!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday! & Happy Birthday Owner Girl!

Hello my friends!
Before we get to the super pawsome trick I know, I wanted to tell you that it's Owner Girl's Birthday today!
To celebrate I wrote her a little poem.

Happy Birthday Owner Girl!
You found me on the internets,
you came and got me in your car,
you took me to a store for pets,
you bought me lots and raised the bar!

You take me outside to go potty,
you give me coats so I don't get sicks,
you love me even when I'm naughty,
you teach me lots of real cool tricks!

You're the best owner I ever knew!
Happy Birthday Owner Girl, I love you!

Okay, now for today's trick!

ROLL OVER

Here's what your owner should do:

1. Always remember the yummy, super duper, delicious, fantabulous treats!

2. Have your dog lay down.
3. With a treat move your hand past your dogs nose towards her butt. If your dog follows the treat move your hand over her back just behind her shoulders.

4. If your dog starts to turn on her side to watch the treat, that's great! If she just turns her head the other way you can try coaxing her to roll onto her side by pushing gently on her back.

5. Once your dog is laying on her side lure or coax her to roll onto her back and eventually all the way back to a lay down position.

6. Keep practicing, phasing out the hand movements and coaxing. Once your dog is rolling over without any assistance you can start to phase out the treats.

7. Some dogs really don't like to roll onto their backs because it makes them feel scared. If your dog is really apprehensive, don't push her into it. You want training to be fun for your dog not scary! There are many other methods and professionals that can help find the best way for your dog!

Happy rolling everyone! Fair warning for owners: if your dog likes his belly scratched this should be an easy one, but he'll also expect more frequent belly scratches after learning this totally pawsome trick!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello friends!

Today we will learn one of my very favorite things to do:

SPEAK!

(Owner Girl took a video
of me performing this
trick but silly her took it
sideways and can't turn
it. So we will have to
try to get a new one
at some point tomorrow.)

Here are the things your owner should do:

1. Remember the treats!

2. You should think of something that typically makes your dog bark - like the doorbell.

3. Say "speak" and then ring the doorbell (or do whatever it is that triggers your dog to bark) or have someone else help you by ringing the bell while you are inside with your dog.

4. After your dog barks once give him the treat.

5. If your dog is likely to run around crazily when the doorbell rings, try putting him on a leash before starting the training.

6. After a few successful tries, phase out the doorbell so that your dog learns to "speak" because of your command not just because of the doorbell.

7. You can also try using a hand signal (Owner Girl does one that looks like a duck quacking or... a dog barking!, I bet that's why she uses that one!)

8. In theory, teaching your dog this trick can help him learn to speak only when you tell him to. That didn't work on me though, I've got WAY too much to say! Owner Girl says we still have some work to do on that. But I am very good at speaking on command!

Oops, I have been forgetting this part the last couple weeks...
Difficulty: 2 Paws out of 5
This trick is pretty easy for most dogs to learn but if you want it to help keep your dog quiet at times when you're not asking him to speak, it may be more difficult depending on your dog and his personality.

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello and welcome to My Tricky Tuesday!

This week we will be learning how to

SPIN
Spin is when you turn around in a circle. It's kind of a hard one to get a picture of.

Here's what your owner should do:
1. Get some yummy, delicious, fantastic doggy treats!

2. Have your dog stand.

3. With a treat in your hand, move your hand in a circular motion starting on one side of your dog's nose and moving towards his tail.

4. Your dog should follow your hand all the way around in a circle. When he has completed the spin give him the treat.

5. If your dog just turns his head but doesn't move to follow the treat, try moving more slowly or try getting him to follow for a quarter circle or half circle.

6. Once your dog is completing the spin consistently you can begin to phase out the hand motion or transition to a smaller circle at your chest level as a signal for spin.

7. Remember to keep training sessions short and fun! If your dog doesn't seem to be getting the trick you are working on, try one he already knows for a bit and come back to the new trick at another time.


If our tips don't seem to be working for you and your dog, don't worry. There are many professional dog trainers that have way more tips and expertise. These are just the things that worked for us! Good luck with all your doggy training and come back next week to see another awesome trick I know!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday everybody!

I hope you're ready to learn because it's time for me to teach you another trick I know.

BEG

Here's what your owner should do:

1. Get some delicious doggy treats.

2. Have your dog sit.

3. Hold a treat above your dog's nose just a little and move it upwards and back a tad.

4. If your dog starts to lift her front paws off the ground to get the treat, that's great! Give her the treat and say "beg" while her paws are off the ground. Try to get her to lift them up a little higher each time or have her beg for longer.

5. If your dog stands up or jumps, just be patient, have her sit again and start over.

6. If she is having a really hard time figuring out what you want her to do, try holding up both her paws in the beg position, say "beg" and give her the treat. She should get the idea after a few times.

7. Once your dog is begging consistently without your help, you can start to phase out the treats!

Always remember to keep training sessions short and fun for your dog.

Owner Girl is trying to teach Chip how to beg but she isn't catching on so quick. The Owners think it's because she has great big reindeer legs! Anyways, whenever they are teaching her I like to jump right in and show her how it's done, I'm a begging pro!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Happy Election Day everybody! I hope you all got out there to cast your vote, too bad dogs don't have voting rights or I would have been all over it. This weeks trick is a great one to do with your owner when they get back from voting!

HIGH FIVEOf course your owner will have to teach you first so here's what they should do:

1. Get some yummy treats for motivation.

2. Have your dog sit.

3. Hold your hand up palm facing out towards your dog. Keep your hand at your dog's shoulder and relatively close to her (about 1 ft away) at first.

4. Say "high five" and tap your palm with your other hand. If your dog taps your hand with her paw, great! You can just keep repeating the exercise phasing out the treats.

5. If your dog doesn't high five right away you can gently lift her paw and guide it to your hand. Say "high five" when her paw touches your palm.

6. It shouldn't take long for your dog to start lifting her paw to you all by herself. As your dog gets more confident with this trick you can move your hand a little higher and further away. Just make sure that it's not too hard or uncomfortable for your dog to reach your hand.

7. That's all there is to it! Before you know it you will be giving your best friend a high five after telling a great joke, finding out your favorite meal is for dinner or even exercising your right to vote!

Difficulty: 1 Paw out of 5
And here's one more high five for all you voters out there!

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello again my furry friends! This week we will be learning a trick that can come in handy at the vet or groomers. And it's really easy too!

STAND
Here's what your owner should do:

1. As always have some yummy treats on hand.

2. Have your dog sit. Hold your hand with a treat in it, in front of your dog at about his shoulder but off to one side just a bit. Move your hand forward towards your dog almost as if you were going to touch his belly.

3. At some point while you are moving your hand towards the back of your dog he will probably get up to see what you are doing. If he does, say "stand" and give him the treat!

4. Your dog may just follow your hand with his head but stay seated. If he does you can try gently touching his belly on that side, as if you were going to try and lift him up.

5. Once your dog starts standing up, just keep repeating the exercise, moving your hand less each time. Always remember to keep the training sessions short and include lots of praise and playtime!

6. Before you know it your dog will be a pro and you will be able to do just a small hand motion or give the command "stand" for your dog to do the trick.


Difficulty: 1.5 Paws out of 5

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello friends!

Get your treats ready because it time again to learn one of the tricks I know.

STAY

1. As you should know by now, get some yummy treats for your dog.

2. Have your dog sit. Hold your hand up, palm facing your dog. (As if you were singing "Stop! in the name of love...") Give the command "Stay".

3. Take one step back, but stay facing your dog and keep your hand up.

4. If she gets up go back to her and have her sit again. If your dog tries to get up right away you can try to just lift your foot as if you were going to step back. If she stays put your foot back down and give her a treat.

5. Repeat this exercise several times moving back a little further each time. I'd recommend returning to your dog each time before letting her get up (at least at first), but if you want you can call her to you when you're ready for her to get up.

6. If at any point your dog gets up while you are moving back, have her sit again and go back to the last distance that she stayed for.

7. If it seems your dog is getting worse at staying the more you work on it, it's probably time to end the training session and have some playtime. Always end the sessions on a happy note and keep them short.

8. Once your dog gets really good at staying you can try jumping up and down to see if she will stay or you can move to one side or the other instead of back. You could even try walking all the way around her in a circle.

Difficulty: 2 1/2 Paws out of 5
I'd give this trick a 2 1/2 out of 5 because depending on your dog it can be very hard to stay still and let your owner walk away! Also, the difficulty varies depending on how long you want your dog to stay and how far away you will be.

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello!

This week we will learn how every good dog should say "nice to meet you" to new people.


SHAKEHere are the steps your owner should do:

1. First, like always start a new trick with some yummy treats.

2. Hold out your hand just to see what your dog will do. Most will probably sniff at it but if your dog puts his paw in your hand that's great you can just teach him to do this when you say shake!

3. If your dog does not shake on his own, then you can gently pick up his paw and hold it in your hand while you say "shake". Give him the treat while his paw is still in your hand.

4. It should only take a few times for your dog to catch on and start lifting his paw to you all by himself!

5. As your dog gets better at this trick you can phase out the treats.

6. Another neat thing you can teach him is to shake with the other paw too. Use a command like "other paw" after he shakes with the first. Always have him use the same paw for the shake command so your dog doesn't get confused.

7. In no time your dog will be shaking hands with the best of 'em.


Difficulty: 1 paw out of 5

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hi Everyone!

For this week's trick we'll be trying another pretty easy one,

and one that is good to work on once your dog has mastered "sit".

LAY DOWN Just have your owner do these steps:

1. Just like last week get some yummy treats for your dog.

2. Start with having your dog sit.

3. Then take a treat and hold it a bit in front of your dogs nose,

then slowly move it towards the floor and away from your dog.

4. If your dog lays down, that's great! Say the command just as she reaches the

laying down position and give her the treat.

5. Some dogs will try to get up or try to grab at the treat with her paws. You can try to vary how close the treat is to your dog or you can attach a leash to her collar and tug down slightly.

6. Once your dog starts laying down consistently, you can phase out the treats and hand movements. That's it!

Difficulty: 1 Paw out of 5

Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Welcome one and all to the very first edition of Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

I thought we'd start out with an easy one and the very first trick I learned:

SIT!

Here's what your owner needs to do:

1. Get the best, most yummiest treats they can find (this step is absolutely essential)

2. Pick a nice quiet place where your dog is not likely to be distracted if this is your first time trying this trick, if he is pretty good at it then try it outside or someplace more exciting!

3. While your dog is standing bring one of the treats to his nose and then raise it up slightly and over his head. Don't lift it too high or he may try to jump up.

4. If your dog sits, Great! Say sit as his butt hits the ground and give him the treat. Just keep repeating the exercise (with short, fun training sessions) slowly phasing out the treats and the hand movements.

5. If your dog doesn't sit you can try gently guiding his butt down just a little until he sits on his own.

6. To make sure that your dog doesn't forget about this trick try having him sit before you put down his food dish full of yummy dog food or before opening the door to go outside for a walk!

7. With these simple steps your dog will be a sitting pro like me, although he may not be quite as cute.

I'd give this trick 1 paw for difficulty, but it definitely gets 5 paws for being the most valuable trick your dog can learn.