How to Train Your Dog to Jump Rope

Teaching your dog to perform tricks is one of the many great things about having a furry four-legged friend. Even if you have seen videos of dogs who can jump rope, you might think training your dog this trick is beyond his ability. What might surprise you is that it is relatively easy to teach your furball to jump rope since most dogs tend to jump around as part of their daily lives. It could be jumping up on the couch, on the bed, or even jumping around while he his playing with your kids.

Training your pup to jump rope is a wonderful way to help him get the exercise he needs. More importantly, most dogs will find this to be a lot of fun. Bear in mind, you need to keep the safety of your dog in mind at every stage of the training process and at any time thereafter when your pup is jumping rope. You should also have your vet examine your pup to make sure he is healthy enough for this type of activity. 

The command itself is simple, you can use 'jump', 'jump rope', or any other word you choose, just be sure to be consistent so as not to confuse your pup. You should wait until your pup has matured enough that his bones, muscles, and ligaments are fully formed to avoid the risk of injury. While you can do this with another person, when you are ready to use a jump rope, you may want to start out by tying one end of the rope to a stationary object to avoid extraneous distractions.

Be patient; your pup is likely to be distracted by the jump rope itself at first. It might take him a little time to get used to it. Remember, while jumping is quite natural, it can take a little time for your pup to learn what you expect of him. Keep training sessions fun and stress-free and before long, you and your pup will be the hit of the neighborhood. 

Getting started training your dog to jump rope requires plenty of patience. Despite the fact jumping is a natural behavior in most dogs, training them to channel this energy and natural desire into a new trick will take time. You won't need much in the way of supplies, but you will need the following:

• A stick: Some forms of training start out with a stick rather than a jump rope.
  
• A jump rope: You'll need the real thing!
  
• Treats:  To reward your dog for getting things right.
  
• Time: It takes time to teach your dog new tricks.
  
• Patience: You need to be patient while your pup learns his new trick.
  
• Room to work: You need a nice quiet, distraction-free training space while he is learning.
  

Above all else, you need to make every training session as much fun as possible. The more fun you can make the training, the harder your dog is likely to work at learning his new skill.