How to Teach Your Dog To Bow

It is so easy to teach your dog how to your bow. You just have to catch him at the right moment when he is already bowing and sooner or later he will get the idea. When you see your dog take a big stretch, with his head down low, say, ,Take a bow., Every time he wakes up and stretches say, ,Take a bow.,   This will eventually catch on in your dog’s head.    Some day you will say, ,Take a bow., and your dog will take a big stretch, but it will look like he is bowing. As soon as he is finished, give him the treat.

Sometimes you have to be a little more blatant with the food lures to get your dog to bow.   Place a treat between a standing dog’s front paws.   The dog’s first instinct will be to look down and go for the treat. As he does this, with his rear still launched in the air, keep repeating the command ,Bow!,  If it seems that it is too easy for the dog to get the treat, then try placing it just behind his two front legs so he must bend his head and look between his legs to see it.   The dog will now naturally perform a bow just to keep his balance.   Keep repeating the word bow and repeat this ritual until he bows when you say the command.  

Most dogs make the association between the word and the action very quickly but it can depend on the swiftness of the individual dog.  If the dog lies down or even somersaults to get the treat instead of bowing, gently put your hand on underneath his tummy while the dog is standing. This should keep his rear half from descending to the ground.  If your dog doesn’t respond to treats. In this case, begin by kneeling next to the dog with one hand on his shoulder and the other supporting his belly. Now say the ,Bow! , command and gently apply pressure to his shoulder while keeping his rear end aloft with your hand, Repeat this, saying ,bow, every time and rewarding the dog for being forced into the position. Once he starts getting it, you won’t have to apply so much pressure anymore and the dog gets the idea of what you what him to do.  

If you are working with a really big dog, you might not be able to force him into any position. In this case, kneel next to the dog and put one hand on his tummy and the other on his forelegs. Now say the command ,Bow!, and gently grab his front legs. Start pulling the front legs forward until the big dog finds himself in the BOW position.   Be sure to be very gentle and praise the dog generously.  

Warning , never pull a dog’s hind legs too hard if you are using the above method as you do not want to cause the dog any injury.

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Curing Digging Problems

To cure a bad case of digging is essential to figure out and address the underlying cause. Try to figure out why the dog is doing it and see if you have the appropriate solution.  For instance, your dog may be digging to find something to eat. He or she might have a dietary deficiency that needs to be addressed. S

ometimes feeding your pup a mineral supplement or a supplement that contains vegetable can cure your dog’s appetite for dirt and digging.   O

ne clue that your dog might have a vitamin deficiency is if he or she spends a lot of time licking rocks.  If your dog is digging to hide things in a hole then he or she might be jealous of another pet or a child in the home.  

The toy or piece of food might be buried so that the competition can’t get it. This type of insecure digger is trying to tell you that they need more one-on-attention.   If you are favoring one animal over another you may be triggering this behavior.

 If it seems like your dog is digging to fulfill a hunting instinct then you may not be feeding him enough food.  

Malnourished dogs are more likely to burrow in the ground to find something to drink.  

A dog that has worms or is sick with some kind of ailment might also resort to digging in order to hide his feces or urine. This is also caused by an old primal instinct that urges sick animals to bury their excrement so that predators can’t take advantage of their weakened state.  

Here are some tips for discouraging your dog to dig.  

1.                 Never punish a dog for digging. All this will do is teaches him or her not to dig in your presence. The minute you turn your back, the burrowing will probably start again. Even worse, the dog may find a substitute for digging in the earth and instead dig a hole in your favorite couch. She may resume digging when you’re not around or find unique things to dig into – such as dig a hole in the couch as opposed to the dirt.  

2.                 Digging may be an indication that your dog needs more exercise.  Try doubling the amount of walks that you take your pet on in a day and see if this helps.  

3.                 Don’t bring your dog’s chewy toys or food into the yard. This gives him the idea to hide his treasures beneath the ground in case any other creature in the great outdoors is coveting them.  

4.                 Does your dog have enough shade?   If you live in a hot climate the dog might be digging the hole to find a cool spot.   Ways to discourage this behavior is to make sure there is plenty of shade in his space in the backyard.  Providing your dog with a wading pool can also discourage digging.  

5.                 Consider putting up a fence in the areas of your yard where you don’t want the pet to dig.  

6.                 Fill up the holes that your dog digs with rocks. This might give him the idea that the activity is pointless.  

7.                 Never let your dog watch you digging holes or gardening. He might get the idea to imitate you.  

8.                 If   your dog is of a breed that finds digging irresistible (such as a basset hound or daschund)   then try creating a special area in “digging area” in your yard made from a sandbox or a pile of dirt. You can encourage the dog to only dig in that spot by hiding his chew toys in that area.      The dog that is least likely to dig is a happy dog. If you want in-depthinformation about different dog breeds and how to give them the kind of training and attitude that discourages insecure and needy behaviors such as digging.

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