Here are several great dog training tips you get for free. Learn your dog to behave a little better and to do some fun tricks.

CATCH

Use a soft ball and throw it into the air. A hard ball thrown with force directly at your dog might break a tooth. When you throw the ball say “Catch!” It may bounce off his nose a few times but he will soon learn to grab for it when he sees it coming.

SHAKE

Make your dog sit. Then hold out your hand. When you say “Shake” or “Give paw!” tap the heel of one paw lightly. At the same time, push him slightly off balance with your other hand. While you hold his paw, give him his reward.

DANCE!

Hold something to eat above your dog’s head and teach him to dance. When he stands on his back legs to reach the food, say “Dance!” and move your hand in a circle to make the dog pivot. After he turns, give him the food and praise him.

CARRY!

Carefully place a small object, like an old glove, a leather wallet or the handle of a small basket, in your dog’s mouth and flatter him with “Aren’t you smart!” Scratching his back will also help teach your dog to carry.

JUMP!

Buy a play hoop or make one out of wire. Put your dog on leash, slip the leash through the center of the hoop, say “Jump!” and pull him through. Hold the hoop low and say “Jump!” before you pull on the leash, so your dog will learn to jump on command.

PLAY POSSUM

Make your dog lie on his side. Then soothe him by stroking him gently. Keep repeating “Play Possum, Stay!” When he relaxes, take your hands away. Release him by saying “O.K.!”

WAIT!

Place a ball or a piece of dog biscuit on your dog’s nose between his eyes. Tell him “Wait!” After a moment or two tell him “O.K.!” and see if he can catch it. This trick may take a lot of practice.

TAKE A BOW!

Take advantage of your dog’s natural ways to teach additional tricks. When he stretches, say “Take a bow!”

ROLL OVER

After your dog learns “Play Possum!” teach him “Roll Over!” Put him on his side. Then take hold of the front and backpaws on the underside of his body. Say “Roll Over!” Then quickly flip him over. When he jumps to his feet, praise him and pat him. The circle motion used to flip your dog over later becomes the signal for this trick.

BEG

Put your dog on leash and tell him to “Sit!” Then hold a piece of meat or dog candy above his head. Encourage him with “Beg! Beg!” When he lifts his paws from the floor, praise him and give him the tidbit. If he stands on his back legs, take the food away, tell him to sit and then start over again. Or, hold your dog in a sitting-up position by lifting both paws until he learns to balance on his haunches.

SPEAK!

When he barks or sniffles, put your finger in the air and say “Speak!” or “Sneeze!” It won’t take long for your dog to learn that whenever he makes a noise he will get a reward.

OUT!

Never take things from your dog by pulling. When you want him to let go, take hold of the object with one hand and say “Out!” If he won’t give it up, surprise him with a little cuff on the nose with the free hand. When he drops what he is holding, praise him and pat him.

PRAYERS

Make your dog sit in front of a low bench. Place his front paws on the bench. Say “Prayers!” and gently push his head down. At the same time, offer him food between his front legs. Release him with “Amen!” or “O.K.!”

THE PLAYFUL BITER

When a puppy nips in play, biting is apt to become a habit. When your puppy grabs at your arm or at your clothing, cuff him on the nose and tell him “NO!” After you cuff him, pat him.

THE CAR CHASER

Break the habit of chasing cars by arming yourself with two or three empty food cans and one or two empty cartons. Hide in the car while someone else drives. When your dog comes running out, and the car has stopped, jump out and chase him by throwing things at him.

THE DOG THAT RUNS AWAY

If your dog runs away when he knows the meaning of the word come, the next time you go for a walk, carry a rolled magazine. If he does not listen when you call him, throw the magazine at his heels, kneel, call him again and praise him while he is coming to you.

THE DIGGER

You may not be able to stop your dog completely from digging but you can discourage the habit. The next time you see him uprooting the flower bed or digging holes in the lawn, toss something at the spot and call out “NO!” Do this every time he starts to dig.

THE CAT CHASER

The next time you take your dog where there is a cat, carry a small rolled magazine. Put your dog on leash and introduce him to the cat. Hold the rolled magazine and if he lunges forward say “NO!” and quickly lower the magazine between them. If he is off leash and makes a dash for the cat, throw what you are holding at the dog’s heels and tell him firmly “COME!”

THE THIEF

Does your dog steal things from your closet? Balance a small pie pan on the inside handle of the slightly open door. Your dog will make the correction himself when the pan falls.

THE CAVE MAN

Does your dog hide under the chair or the bed and growl when you try to get him out? Ask someone to drive him out by poking at him so he will run to you for protection. When he does, reward him with a pat.

THE DOG THAT WETS IN SPITE

If your dog wets to “get even,” have someone hide where the dog can’t see him. Play with another dog or go away and leave him. If out of jealousy or resentfulness he leaves a “spite” puddle, the person hiding can throw something or scold him and catch him in the act.

THE DOG THAT WILL NOT GET INTO A CAR

Put the leash on and have the dog’s collar tight enough so it cannot slip over his head. Get into the car yourself. Then use a steady pull and give constant praise. After your dog climbs in, pat him.

THE SERIOUS BITER

Dogs bite for three reasons: to guard, when they don’t want to do something, and when they are afraid. Scold the over-protective dog. Make him understand that he must never attack because he feels like guarding. Muzzle the fear-biter. Force him in a kind way to let strangers handle him. In time he may get over being frightened. If your dog resents combing or growls when you take his bone away, rap him sharply on the tip of the nose and tell him you will have none of that! Don’t bully him but let him know you are the master.

THE DOG THAT WILL NOT STAY ALONE

Put your dog in a room by himself while you or some mem-ber of the family are at home to make the necessary correc-tion. Every time the dog barks or scratches to get out, bang on the door or throw a small pie pan so it lands with a crash. In ten or fifteen minutes, if he has been quiet, let him out. Don’t make the mistake of keeping your dog with you all the time. Teach him independence! When a dog will stay alone, owners avoid the problems of barking, chewing and wetting out of spite.

THE DOG THAT ROAMS

Don’t let your dog get into the habit of roaming. Call him back every time he leaves the property. If this doesn’t work, ask your friends and family to help. Let them stand outside an open gate or at the end of the driveway and when your dog starts to leave, have them block him by tossing an empty carton in front of him. At the same time they should tell him “Home!”

THE CHEWER

Confine the dog that chews in a room where he can do little damage. Give him toys and bones made of hard rubber or rawhide, or give him a tennis ball. Wait until you catch him chewing on something he shouldn’t, then startle him! Throw something at the spot and tell him “NO!” Throw the object when he isn’t looking at you.