Activities For Dogs Who Like Belly Rubs
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Introduction
Is your dog always flopping over on the floor with their paws in the air, begging for a belly rub? While this goofy activity is sure to put a smile on your face, you can use this behavior as a jumping off point for lots of different tricks and games. There are plenty of activities for dogs who like belly rubs that are fun and entertaining for the both of you. You'll be surprised how quickly your pup picks up these games, especially when all they need to do is roll over in hopes of their favorite treat, a belly rub!
Roll Over
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
15 mins
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
The first place to start for dogs who likes belly rubs is to teach them how to roll over. Because they already love to show you their belly, they should be comfortable with the first half of the trick, it won't take too much effort to teach them the second half. This is a fun trick to show off at parties, and a perfect foundation for moving on to tricks that are even more difficult. This is something you can try with the whole family or it can be an interesting project for a child who loves to work with dogs. Keep training sessions to 15 minutes and in a few weeks, your dog will be rolling over on command.
Step
1
Start in down
Grab a handful of treats and start with your dog in a "down." With a treat in hand, slowly move your hand from their nose to behind their head until they are laying on their side. This next part should be easy. Keep moving the treat from their nose to the other side of their head. They should easily follow the treat into their favorite position, belly up!
Step
2
All the way over
Now use the treat to lure your dog onto their other side. This may take some convincing, but don't give in and rub their belly until the trick is done. Keep moving the treat until your dog rolls all the way over. Then they can have the treat and a belly rub.
Step
3
One movement
Once your dog understands what you're asking of them, you can start to smooth out the rollover. Use your treat and guide your dog slowly through the motions until there is no pause between steps. When they are doing this quickly and smoothly, begin to say "roll over" before they get their reward. Soon, they will roll over each time you ask them.
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Play Dead
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Hard
15 mins
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
Another great activity to play with dogs who like belly rubs is "play dead." For this trick, you'll teach your dog to roll over and show their belly when you say the trigger word "bang" or make the specific hand signal (two fingers forward and thumb up to make the signal). This trick is a little harder to teach than "roll over," but with time and practice you'll be able to get your to play dead. You might even have an advantage over other dog owners because your pup will already feel happy and comfortable laying on their back.
Step
1
Lay down and stay
Start with your dog laying down, just like roll over. Lure your dog onto their back and tell them to stay. You can slowly rub their belly or hold them still if they get wiggly. Slowly stand up and tell them to stay if they start to move. Then you can release them. Practice this move until they can go from laying down to showing their belly right away.
Step
2
Introduce commands
Now that your dog is starting to roll onto their belly with prompting, you can start to give them the command "bang." Say the command as you start to initiate the trick and let them get used to it. You can even use the hand signal with your first and second finger and your thumb. Soon your dog will be willingly showing their belly for a scratch and play dead when you say "bang."
Step
3
Take it on the road
Now you can show off your dog's new trick whenever someone new visits you, or when you take your dog out in public places. Your dog will have no problem sharing this trick because it puts them in prime position for belly rubs. You may even notice your dog playing dead before you ask, hoping someone will give them a pat.
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Belly Crawl
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
15 mins
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
Teaching a dog to belly crawl might be an alternative to scratching their belly, especially if they learn to crawl on a textured surface. During this trick they'll learn to move by dragging their belly across the floor. Though it's no replacement for your fingers rubbing their belly, they may enjoy this trick more than other dogs. It's fairly simple trick, but family and friends will be delighted when you show it off. Practice for 15 minutes per day, and in no time your dog will be crawling on command and getting a little belly rub at the same time.
Step
1
Down again
Ask your dog to lay down and pay attention. Take a treat between your fingers and show your dog, then bring it to the ground. as they try to take the treat, slowly move it farther away. They should start to slowly crawl on their belly to reach the treat. At first, give them a treat as soon as they crawl. Each time you practice make them crawl a little farther.
Step
2
Name the trick
When they are crawling several feet at a time, you are ready to name the trick. Say the command "crawl" as they move along on their belly before you give them the treat. Soon your dog will know to move along on their belly when you ask, and they might be happy to do it because of the free belly rubs.
Step
3
Experiment with your game
When your dog is good at crawling at home, make it into a fun game. Set up obstacles around your house that your dog will need to crawl under. It could be a chair or a broomstick suspended under a table. Ask your dog to follow you through the house and when you get to the obstacles, ask them to crawl to get to the other side. When they have completed the obstacle course you can give them a big belly rub!
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More Fun Ideas...
Doggy Spa Day
Take your dog to a doggy spa where they will be pampered and brushed. Let the groomers know how much your dog loves their belly rubbed, and ask for a little extra attention there.
Sit up
If your dog loves showing their belly, you can teach them to "beg" for a belly rub by sitting up. Not only do they look cute, they are letting everyone know how clever they are.
Conclusion
Belly rubs can be a sweet treat for many dogs, but if your dog loves a belly scratch more than a tasty morsel, you should definitely take advantage of this trait and teach your dog a variety of tricks that involve exposing their belly. Trying one of these activities for dogs who like belly rubs is the perfect rainy afternoon distraction. They can also help each member of the family feel comfortable around the dog and confident giving them direction. Now, when your dog flops over and demands a scratch, you'll have a series of tricks they need to do if they want to earn a belly rub.