How to Train Your Dog to Do the Tire Jump Trick
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Introduction
Watching a dog jump through a tire, the trick look pretty darn easy. But in reality, it takes a fair amount of training to get a dog to the point at which he will happily jump through the tire for you, thrilling your friends and neighbors with this amazing trick. Some dogs will take to this trick from the start, while others are more likely to balk and try to go under it or around the tire, anything but through it. Just remember, it is up to you to give your dog a reason to jump through the tire, take your time and have fun.
The biggest thing to keep in mind with training your dog to jump through a tire is that this is not a trick most dogs learn in a hurry. Frequent short training sessions several times a day are far more effective than one long session per day.
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Defining Tasks
The concept here is very simple, by the time you are done teaching your dog this new trick, he will be able to jump through a tire hanging at various heights up to 24 inches. While you might not think this trick has any real use, once your pup learns to jump through a tire, he can also jump through a hoop, jump into the back of your truck, or into the passenger's seat of your car.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the tire you choose has to be large enough in inner diameter for your dog to pass through easily. If your tire is to small your pup good hurt himself trying to accomplish this task.
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Getting Started
There are a few things that need to be done before your pup is ready to start training to jump through a tire. The first is to make sure your pup is physically ready for this trick as it puts a significant amount of stress on his bones, muscles, joints. The second is to make sure your pup is fully trained in the basic commands of 'come', 'sit', 'stay', and 'down'. Beyond this, there are a few things needed to make the training successful.
- Treats
- A hoop
- A tire
- A place to suspend the tire, such as a tree or wooden rack
- A place to work with plenty of space
Beyond this, you need plenty of time and patience while you are working with your pup. The big thing is to make each training session as much fun as possible for both of you.
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The Hula Hoop Method
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Get used to the hoop
Bring your pup into a room in your house and introduce him to a hula hoop. Let him sniff it, walk around it, even lick it if he is so inclined. Leave it laying on the floor for a few days, picking it up every once in a while, to let your pup become totally used to it.
The first steps are the deepest
Hold the hoop upright but still sitting on the floor. Encourage your pup to walk through it. Some dogs will walk right through, for others you may need to use one of your pup's favorite treats to lure him through. Once he gets used to walking through the hoop start introducing your cue word. It can be "Hup" or "Jump" or anything-- just remain consistent.
Raise the hoop
Slowly start raising the hoop off the floor a couple of inches at a time, letting your pup get used to "jumping through the hoop" a little at a time. When you reach the point at which your pup can no longer make it through the hoop, you know what his limits are.
Introduce the tire
Next go back to ground level and introduce your pup to the tire he will soon be jumping through. Using your chosen cue word see if your pup will walk through the hoop without the need for a treat. If not, you are going back to the beginning by using a treat to lure him through the tire.
Set the bar
Go back to slowly raising the tire until you know your pup's limits. From here the only thing left is to keep practicing and amazing your friends and neighbors.
The Coax Him Through Method
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Come on over
Place the tire upright on the ground. Call your pup over and have him sit about 2 feet from it.
To the other side
Walk to the other side of the tire, turn to face it and use a cue like "jump tire" and coax him to come through the tire.
When he won't move
If he won't come through the tire, try using one of his favorite toys or a treat to lure him through the tire.
Work with him
Keep working with your dog until he will quickly walk through the tire on his own.
Add height
Slowly start raising the tire up off the ground, working with him until he masters each new height.
Farther away
For fun, start working your pup from farther and farther away from the tire and at various angles until you can give your pup the cue and he readily goes and jumps through the tire from anywhere in your yard.
The Simple Tire Method
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Have a seat
Call your pup over and have him sit. Then place a treat in front of him about 3 feet away.
Place the tire
Place the tire in between your pup and the treat so that he has to walk through the tire to get his treat. Keep repeating this until he readily walks through the tire.
Add the cue
Add in the cue word as your pup works his way through the tire until he learns to connect the cue with the action.
Going up
Keep working with your pup until he will go through the tire without the need for a treat.
Raise the bar
Slowly start to lift the tire higher off the ground and working with your pup until he learns to jump through it on cue just for you. Remember to cheer him on and praise him for getting it right, but more than this, remember to have fun.
By PB Getz
Published: 01/10/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
