Personality
Ask yourself some questions about your dog's personality traits to discover where to begin your training program. It can save a lot of time if you start training your dog in an environment he is comfortable in. An outgoing dog will love tricks that he can perform in a crowd, while a wallflower may prefer performing at a bit of a distance. Teaching your dog where he is most relaxed and least distracted or worried will help him be successful.
Social Temperament
A dog that is easily distracted by his friendliness around people will benefit from training sessions that start somewhere quiet, then quickly move on to involve the distractions he finds hard to resist. Training your dog to perform tricks around distractions from the start is one way to ensure that his performance will not fall apart in public.
Shy dogs, on the other hand, may resist doing tricks in public until they are more confident. With this type of dog, practice in the most comfortable environment possible, and then gradually integrate distractions with familiar people. The ultimate goal is to incorporate strangers and new places so that your dog can perform anywhere.
How do you work with your dog around distractions?
If you can't get your dog's attention in 10 to 15 seconds, start putting some distance between your dog and the distraction. Increasing the distance will make it easier for your dog to focus and perform the exercise. As he gains confidence and learns to pay attention, you can decrease the distance slowly without losing the behavior.
Special Talents and Interests
A dog will often display a natural talent for certain tricks, depending on his breed. For instance, Labrador and Golden retrievers often excel at tricks that involve having things in their mouths, such as Put away Your Toys or Get Me a Bottle of Water. Herding breeds might prefer to learn directional tricks, such as spinning to the left or right. A small dog that stands on its hind legs a lot may be a great candidate to learn Dance. A large-breed dog may be perfect for Play Dead, especially if he is of the low-energy mindset.
The most important thing to remember here is that any dog can master tricks that are physically possible for him to do. Dogs are amazing creatures, and they are so willing to be with us and please us that they will put up with a lot so long as they are getting some attention. With enough patience and practice and the right training tools, you can teach your dog to do just about anything!
