Are you a lover of the beautiful game? Are you also a dog lover? What if there was a way to combine the two? Well now you can, as in this guide you’ll learn how to teach your four legged friend how to play soccer. Not only is soccer great exercise, it’s also great fun, making healthy living for you and your pooch far more fun and games than it ever has been. This is extremely important when well over half of the population of pets in the united states are overweight, I’m sure you’ll agree that it’ll also be better for your waistline. 

Another perk is, if you find walking your pooch boring, adding in a soccer ball is sure to encourage you to take him out more, as it’ll give you a chance to practice your shots for the next time you have a game with friends.

Although a fun ability to learn, this trick is also important for the health reasons stated above. It’s also likely to bond you and your pooch closer, as not only will you be getting fit but you’ll be having fun. This trick will be extra rewarding to a pooch that’s ball-obsessed. However, this trick could be quite difficult to learn and will usually take months, especially if your dog doesn’t show any interest--it’s worth persisting for a while. However, you need to bear in mind that every dog is an individual and maybe it’s not the right sport for them if they’re taking a very long time to pick it up. This trick should be taught to fully grown pooches, as it’s quite intense exercise, you don’t want to put too much strain on growing joints.

Get an appropriately sized ball for your dog. Although medium to larger breeds are likely suited to your standard soccer ball, smaller breeds will struggle to push a large ball and so a smaller one should be purchased. Toy breeds may not be suited to this trick, as they may be too little. 

Grab high-value treats, such as boiled chicken, cheese or hot dogs and purchase a clicker either online or at a pet store. Most importantly, stay determined and focused. This is a difficult trick for your pooch to master and requires a high level of understanding, therefore keep training sessions short and don’t give up if it takes your pooch a while. After all, being a professional footballer takes a lot of skill, determination, discipline, and training.