Whether your buddy bends over backward at your beck and call or struggles with fetching, you can’t help but love ‘em. Still—there’s no denying the satisfaction that comes with watching well-executed dog tricks. Check out these extraordinary pooches and their jaw-dropping skills.
9 Dog Tricks Worth Seeing
It would take a lot of discipline for any dog not to lunge for the treat before it reaches his snout, much less stare at it cross-eyed until being signaled to do otherwise. Indie’s shifting eyes from the treat to his parent indicate his complete loyalty.
Jumpy might just be the best Simon Says candidate ever. This remarkably obedient dog responds to a whole assortment of commands from “don’t look at it” to “take a sneak peek.” Be sure to watch until the end, where Jumpy demonstrates his expert knowledge of numbers.
If Neil deGrasse Tyson says something, you know it’s true. Chaser, the beloved border collie of a psychology professor, has been trained to identify an astonishing 1,000 different plush dolls. Well-documented in the media, Chaser and his incredible dog tracks have even been featured on 60 Minutes, NOVA, and more.
Mind-blowing is the only way to begin describing this Porter’s remarkable talent. Watch this dexterous pooch expertly navigate the track with an effortlessness that would impress even Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself.
“Limp,” “sit pretty,” and even “dry off”—these are all commands that this astute German shepherd understands. But the dog trick that really stands out? “Fetch a drink,” which sees this helpful dog making his way to the fridge, opening it up, and snapping up an orange juice to dutifully deliver to his owner.
Trained with the help of positive reinforcements (treats) and clicker training, Nana the border collie is practically a housemaid. With dog tricks up her sleeve that include turning off the lights, closing the door, fetching the remote, and removing socks, this remarkable working dog truly works for those treats.
Maggie is so intuitive, she heads right for the Kleenex box when her owner sneezes. This clever pit bull has more than a couple trick up her sleeve, including “say grace,” in which she pays respect to her supper before digging in.
Agile and high-flying, this border collie has been trained to do all kinds of acrobatics ranging from balancing on her owner’s feet to kicking off her owner’s hip and using the momentum to do a flip. This four-legged twinkle toes really gives Gabby Douglas a run for her money.
To top it all off, here’s the adorable Jasmine performing 45 tricks. Highlights include pushing the shopping cart, assisting in removing a jacket, and sneezing on command.