101 dog tricks

Want to keep that dog of yours intellectually stimulated? Here are 101 tricks you can teach your curious canine, courtesy of dog expert Kathy Sdao. Key to success? Dog treats.

Level 1 difficulty

1. Bare teeth (be a wolf, or what do sharks look like?)

2. Bark

3. Bark silently (whisper)

4. Beg

5. Toss a toy in the air

6. Bow

7. Circle around me

8. Cock your head to one side

9. Crawl

10. Did you wash your hands? (dog sits up in beg position but shows pads)

11. Dig

12. Fan the flames (two paws)

13. Cover your eyes

14. Gimme four (realistic version of gimme five)

15. Growl

16. Kiss

17. Let go of rope

18. Nod your head

19. Nose touch to hand

20. Nose touch to other objects (naming objects or just pointing)

21. Play dead

22. Prewash dishes for dishwasher (just wanted to see if you were paying attention)

23. Push things with paw (like doors, drawers)

24. Put paws on a person's shoulders

25. Ring bell by pulling string

26. Ring bell with nose

27. Ring bell with paw

28. Roll over

29. Rub muzzle on floor

30. Shake hands

31. Shake your head

32. Shake yourself

33. Sit on couch with front feet on ground

34. Stand up on rear legs (sooooo big!)

35. Speak

36. Speak LOUDLY!

37. Speak SOFTLY!

38. Spin

39. Wag tail

40. Walk backward

41. Wave

42. Sneeze

43. Where's your tail?

44. Whimper

45. Yawn

Level 2 difficulty

46. Balance treat on nose, then toss it up in the air and catch it

47. Carry purse or other bag

48. Fetch newspaper

49. Fetch slippers

50. Find/bring keys

51. Find/bring dog dishes

52. Find/bring leash

53. Find/bring TV remote

54. Get a toy by name

55. Wiggle ears

56. Heel backward

57. Hide your eyes/paw over nose (shame on you/do you like tuna?)

58. Hide your head (nose touch under cushion or blanket)

59. Howl (heard the Spice Girls' latest CD?)

60. Keep barking until some subtle cue

61. Lead another dog by the leash

62. Limp

63. Moonwalk (scoot backward in a bow)

64. Open doors

65. Permit the wearing of sunglasses or hat

66. Pick a card (from a deck)

67. Pick the hammer (paw to indicate correct tool)

68. Pull a cart

69. Pull on harness: pulling kids on sled, pulling laundry basket or cart, pulling firewood

70. Pull on rope — close doors, open doors, open cupboards, pull wheelchairs

71. Pull your wallet out of your pocket

72. Lower/raise head while lying down

73. Push something with the nose (e.g., ball)

74. Put a toy IN something

75. Ride a cart

76. Ride a skateboard

77. Roll in cued direction

78. Rub back on floor

79. Rub muzzle with paws

80. Smile

81. Shame on you (hide head under chair)

82. Sit in a chair, paws on table

83. Teabag search: Dog searches 3 people sitting on floor or chair for teabag held in their hand

84. Roll yourself up in a blanket or towel

85. Take a bow, twirl, and take a bow

86. Take money from someone else and bring it to you!

87. Walk sideways

88. Jump up into handler's arms

89. Weave between your legs

90. Climb a ladder

91. Dance

92. Fetch a hot dog

93. Kick balls with paws (soccer)

94. Lead people (take wrist gently in mouth and take them somewhere)

95. Learn names of family members and carry messages back and forth

96. Nose touch to designated colors or shapes

97. Ride a horse/llama/other dog

98. Roll over with ball between front paws

99. Stop dead on cue

100. Walk up stairs backward

101. Fetch beer from fridge