Dog training: 5 steps to teach your dog the leg weaving trick

Taking time to teach your dogs tricks is beneficial. Dog training strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Due to the domesticated nature of most dog breeds today, it’s easy to teach them new things. One of the more popular dog tricks is leg weaving: a trick where your dog goes between your legs following a figure-eight pattern.

This trick is both useful and intimate. Here are x easy steps that you can to teach your dog how to leg weave successfully.

Start simple

Leg weaving isn’t a beginner dog trick. Start with simple tricks before trying out leg weaving. The more your dog learns, the easier it will be to teach them advanced tricks. Some beginner ideas include commands like sitting, getting it to follow you, handshaking, and playing fetch. These tricks will allow your dog to progress over time. When your dog can do the simple stuff, you can then move on to the challenging tricks. After your dog moves on from the beginner stages, it’s time to introduce them to leg weaving slowly.

Take it slow

Learning new things takes time, so there is no need to rush your dog. Slowly introduce them to the leg weaving steps. To do this trick, you must command your dog to sit still behind you. Once they are still, maintain good posture, and move your right leg forward. You may then instruct your dog to go through your legs and circle around your right one. After the first loop, you repeat this step with your left leg. Don’t get frustrated at your dog if they struggle initially. Be patient and calm with your dog, and keep using a positive tone. One way you can entice your dog to follow through your legs is by using treats. This trick can take time for some dogs, so it’s important not to be pushy.

Don’t be pushy

Forcing your dog to listen usually results in them doing the opposite. Again, new skills take time to learn. Being pushy causes your dog to feel rushed, scared, and confused. Those feelings will then prevent your dog from being able to try their best and ruin the connection you’ve built with them. Show your dog respect, and ensure that you keep their emotions in mind during the training process. For you and your dog to be successful, you must both work as a team. Weaving through the legs includes equal effort between a dog and its owner. So treat your dog with love, and give them the time they need to learn this trick. For your dog to learn new tricks easier, they need regular practice.

Practice regularly

Even if your dog could successfully do the trick once already, regular practice would improve their capability to perform it continuously. Not only will practicing regularly allow your dog to progress, but it will give you the chance to spend more time with them. A few times a week is a good amount of training time. During training, continue to use motivators like treats and slowly repeat commandments. The more and more your dog improves, the faster you can complete the trick together. Over time, your dog will be able to weave through your legs smoothly. No matter how long it takes, regular practice will ensure that your dog will eventually learn how to leg weave. Your dog may be able to weave, but they will be inclined to keep performing the trick by rewarding them.

Give rewards

Rewarding your dog after they completed tricks successfully will motivate and encourage them to keep up their efforts. Encouraging your dog while they perform this trick is important. Use supportive language like “good girl/boy” or “great job!”. This type of language will influence your dog to continue doing their best and put them in a happy mood. When your dog can perform tricks, they certainly deserve a reward. Each time your dog leg weaves, don’t forget to give your best friend a treat! Treating your dog is great, but showcasing your dog’s skills can have even better impacts.

Show others

Assuming your dog loves to be around other people, showing others what they can do is helpful. After you have taught your dog how to leg weave, show your friends and family your dog’s new skill! When your dog receives praise from others, it makes them feel even better. The more recognition your dog gets, the more they will actually want to perform tricks.

Teach your dog to weave

Weaving is definitely one of the most engaging and special dog tricks. If you want to teach your dog how to leg weave, you have to have ambition. Teaching your dog any level of the trick isn’t necessarily easy. By taking your time, showing respect, consistently practicing, and rewarding your dog, you will be able to teach them to leg weave.

Business analyst and writer Jenny Williams works at Research paper writing service. Jenny also writes for Writinity and Draft Beyond writing blog posts.

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