Meet Béla:

You may recognize him as the Santa Pup from our website on Christmas Day, 2019. When he’s not napping in the North Pole (and with the proper incentive) Béla can spin and twirl on command. He’s here to help you teach your canine friend to do the same! I am sure there are dozens of ways to teach these tricks, but here’s what worked for us:

SPIN

1. Pick a direction. Béla knows “spin” as moving counterclockwise.

2. Spin without a command first: With your pup looking at you, hold a treat close to their nose. Guide them in the direction you want them to Spin, but don’t say the command. Once they complete a spin, give them the treat and say “Yes!” If you’re clicker training, now would be the time to click. Do that a few times. 

3. Add the command: Once they’ve spun a few times without a command, add the command “Spin” once your dog is quickly spinning with the lure. Once they complete a spin, give them the treat and say “Yes!” If you’re clicker training, now would be the time to click. Do that a few times. 

4. Try it without guiding them! Once your dog is successfully spinning with a lure and a command, try asking them to spin without guiding their direction. 

TWIRL

This is the opposite direction of Spin! Follow the steps above in the opposite direction.