How to Train Your Dog to Walk on His Front Legs

Teaching your dog to walk on his front legs is more difficult than teaching your dog to walk on his hind legs. But much like teaching your dog to walk on his hind legs, it will take some time and a little bit of added strength for your dog to perform. Walking on front legs is typically a trick for tiny breeds and small breeds. Most large breed dogs or even medium sized dogs will not have enough strength in their front legs to walk on them. 

This is a very cute trick and an incredibly impressive trick, even for small breeds to do. Many dog owners who teach their dogs to walk on their front legs have also taught their dogs to walk on their hind legs and do other tricks. This is a fun trick to have children or even just friends and neighbors to ask your dog to do while they meet you around the neighborhood. Your dog could be the life of the party with his incredibly fun tricks.

Walking on front legs starts with target training with his rear legs. From target training, he will learn to stand up in a handstand position and from there he will be walking. This will take time-- even more time than learning how to walk on his hind legs. Dogs' rear legs are typically stronger than their front legs, so your dog will need a few weeks to build up the muscle strength in his front legs in order to place all of his body weight on those two legs and then maneuver his legs into a walking position. Have some time and some patience with this one. It is a fun trick but it will require some work.

To teach your dog how to walk on his front legs you are going to need to start in a handstand position. There are few ways to do this. Just make sure you have treats to reward for every step of the way no matter which method you choose. You're also going to need time to do short sessions to give your dog's body time to rest and for your dog's brain time to work and click with commands and actions. Have some patience. It may take a few weeks, but your dog, especially the little ones, should get this with lots of time and practice.