How to Train Your Dog to Dance

Starting off in a low-distraction area such as your house or yard and show your dog that you have a treat in hand. Holding the treat in front of your dog’s nose, encourage him to follow your hand as you guide your dog to turn in a circle. At the end of the circle, release the treat and praise.

Repeat the guided spins numerous times over many training sessions. When your dog is used to moving in a circle, raise your hand up above his head. Continue to guide him, but try to wean them towards a motion, more than guiding them, by making the circles smaller and higher above him.

After your dog is readily turning in a circle when you make a hand gesture, remove the treat. Continue making a circular motion with your hand, slowly making the circle smaller while still treating and praising only for your dog spinning around.

Once your dog is spinning reliably using a hand signal, it’s time to add in a command. Be careful which word you choose here. While “spin” is certainly good enough, you may want to use “right” or “left” or “spin right” or “spin left” instead, to help train directional spinning (see next step) later on. Say the command with your hand signal and repeat numerous times.

After you’ve used the hand signal in combination with the verbal cue multiple times, start phasing out the hand signal. You want to thoroughly cement the behavior so be sure not to remove the hand signal too early. If your dog doesn’t perform on the cue alone, go back and repeat step 4 a few more times.

While turning in one direction is great, being multi-directional is even better for dancing. Once your dog has learned to spin either right or left, start back at step one and train the other direction. The second time through should progress much faster, but remember to move at your dog’s pace.

Once your dog has mastered spinning in both directions, try mixing it up. Tell your dog to spin multiple times or work in right, left, then right again. You and your pooch will be dancing in no time.

Having a person or other animal stepping over their bodies doesn’t come naturally to most dogs. To get your dog to weave through your legs, start by taking small steps over and around him when he’s relaxed. Be sure to give plenty of treats and praise.

When your pooch thinks having someone step over him is no big deal, start out teaching the weave. Stand with your legs wide enough apart to allow your dog to pass through. Take a treat in your hand and use it to lure him under your legs. Repeat this multiple times, slowly closing your legs so that there is just enough room for your pooch to pass through.

After your dog has gotten the hang of being lured through, begin phasing out the lure. Use a hand gesture to indicate your dog should go under your legs. A pointed finger or swiping gesture often works here. Always treat and praise for a job well done.

After you’ve cemented the hand gesture, start adding in a verbal cue. “Under”, “through”, or “legs” are good options here. Say the word at the same time as you make the hand gesture and repeat numerous times.

You should practice with your dog weaving between your legs in multiple settings and with an increasing level of distractions. Try changing it up by getting your dog to pass through at different angles or combining it with you stepping over Fido to make the behavior look more like a dance move.

While jumping up isn’t something you want to encourage in a dog, teaching your dog to stand up on command is actually useful and can help discourage him from jumping when not asked, a bonus for this fun dance move. Start out by encouraging your dog to place his paws on you or your arm or jump up in general. A tasty treat held over the head should do the trick here.

When your dog is jumping up with a treat lure, start encouraging him to stay standing for longer periods of time. Some pets may need your arm or body for support.

Pick a hand gesture that will trigger this behavior in the future. A flat hand, palm up, raising from waist to mid chest is often good choice, but any clear gesture will do. Make the hand gesture as you lure your dog up with a treat.

Once your dog is comfortable with the hand gesture and is jumping up on command, choose a cue such as “up” or “dance.” Say the command along with the hand gesture, slowly phasing out the use of the treat as a lure. Be sure you’ve practiced with the gesture and bribing along numerous times so that your dog can make a solid connection.

Increase the length of time between your dog jumping up, treating, and praising. This will help teach your dog that they should keep “performing” until you give the release command. Standing up, even with support, is taxing on muscles so help your dog train physically as well as mentally by working slowly and building up their strength.

After your dog is comfortable with being on their legs for some time, start moving slowly with them, encouraging them to step while they are standing. Take slow steps towards and away from them, supporting your dog when necessary. With a little practice, you and your pooch will be doing the cha cha before you know it.