Spin
Tricks · 9 steps · by Push Drop Stick
Your Dog will learn to spin clockwise for a hand signal or the verbal cue 'Spin'.
Spin is a quick, happy trick that builds engagement and body awareness. It also makes a handy way to refocus an excited or nervous dog and a fun warm-up before a walk or play session.
Training steps
Lure a quarter spin
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Hold a treat in front of Your Dog's nose and slowly move it a quarter of the way around them clockwise. As soon as Your Dog reaches the lure, give it to them.
Success: Your Dog spins a quarter of the way around.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure a half spin
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Hold a treat in front of Your Dog's nose and slowly move it halfway around them clockwise. As soon as Your Dog reaches the lure, give it to them.
Success: Your Dog spins a half circle.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lure a clockwise spin
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Hold a treat in front of Your Dog's nose and slowly move it around them in a clockwise circle. As soon as Your Dog completes the spin, give them the treat.
Success: Your Dog spins.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Bury the lure
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Bury the lure in your prompting hand by holding the treat against your palm with your thumb. Lure Your Dog to spin, but instead of giving them the buried lure, give them a different treat from the opposite hand.
Success: Your Dog spins.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Large hand signal
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Repeat the luring motion, but with no treat in your hand. Point one finger to exaggerate the hand signal, moving from Your Dog's nose around them clockwise. Hold your hand at the final position in front of your body and wait to see if Your Dog spins. When they do, give them a treat from the opposite hand.
Success: Your Dog spins.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Medium hand signal
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Prompt Your Dog to spin by making a medium-sized hand signal that resembles the large hand signal but is slightly higher, faster, and smaller. Wait to see if Your Dog spins, and when they do, give them a treat from the opposite hand.
Success: Your Dog spins.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Small hand signal
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Prompt Your Dog into a spin by making a small hand signal that resembles the medium hand signal, but raised high enough that you don't need to bend over, and small enough that you only need to spin your wrist. Wait to see if Your Dog spins, and when they do, give them a treat from the opposite hand.
Success: Your Dog spins.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Add the verbal cue
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Say the verbal cue 'Spin', pause for 1 second, and then (if needed) prompt Your Dog to spin with a small hand signal. As soon as Your Dog spins, give them a treat from the opposite hand.
Success: Your Dog spins for a verbal cue.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Only the verbal cue
Setup: Your Dog is standing.
Say the verbal cue, then wait to see if Your Dog spins. Do not use the hand signal. If Your Dog spins, give them a treat.
Success: Your Dog spins for a verbal cue.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Good job! You've laid a strong foundation for Spin.
Now it's time to proof Your Dog's new skill. You can restart the plan using proof steps, or play games with the goals you just earned. Practice both in different locations and around distractions.