Clicker train your dog to take a bow

Gizmo takes a bow!

If you've ever seen your dog stretching you have noticed the 'bow' position is very easy and comfortable for the dog to do. Training an animal to perform on command a behavior that already comes naturally to them is one of the easiest types of tricks to teach.

There are two ways you can get started. These are:

1. Catch your dog 'in the act'. Keep your clicker and treats on hand and when you see your dog stretching in the bow position, click and treat. You may already have an idea of the times of day when your dog is most likely to stretch, like when she gets up in the morning or when you get home from work. This is called 'shaping' a behavior.

2. The second method is called 'target' training. First you teach your dog to touch a target. For a small dog the target might be a chop stick. With a medium sized dog you might use a wooden spoon or a 12" ruler, and with large dogs you could use a fly swatter, yard stick or a lightweight cane. If your dog is not likely to bite or mouth your hand, you can simply hold a treat in your closed fist.

To teach your dog to touch the target, hold your target out in front of the dog's face. Most dogs will naturally sniff it. Click and treat. If she doesn't sniff it, but shows an interest in it, click and treat to let he know she is on the right track. Repeat 5-10 times until the dog 'gets' it. If your dog is afraid of the stick, try a different target that doesn't look so intimidating to her, for instance a small flag, or your closed fist holding a treat.

Once the dog understands about putting her nose on the target, move the target around so she learns to follow it. Move it up above her nose. When she touches it, click and treat. Move it to her left. When she touches it with her nose, click and treat. Move it to her right. When she touches it, click and treat. Gradually lower the target closer to the floor. First put it parallel with the dog's chest. Then with her legs. Finally lower it all the way to the floor. Of course, each time you are click and treating when she touches the target.

As your dog bends her elbows to touch it with her nose, click and treat. When she achieves the bow, click and treat your dog a jackpot (handful of treats or an extra special treat). Smaller dogs may be able to touch the target without bowing. In this case, try lowering the target and then pulling it towards you and away from the dog. As she tries to follow it with her nose, she will bend her elbows and bow.

Now you will fade the target and use your hand to signal for the bow. You can accomplish fading by holding the target closer to the end, and finally stop using it altogether.

Once your dog understands the behavior, whether you used shaping or target training, you are ready to add a verbal cue so you won't need to use your hand or wait to catch your dog in the act.

Next time you ask for the bow or see your dog doing it say the word(s) you've chosen. You could say 'stretch', 'pray', 'take a bow' or 'ta da!' Click and treat.

Remember to always click and treat when your dog performs or gets to close to performing the bowing behavior, slowing progressing forward step by step until you achieve the bow. Be patient. It may take several sessions. Keep your sessions short - no more than 3-5 minutes at a time. Keep it light, fun and positive. Praise your dog for being so smart and willing!

Here are several videos that show you how to teach your dog to bow.

In this video, Pearl the Boxer is being taught to bow using the shaping method. Instead of 'catching her in the act' of stretching, this trainer is setting up the dog to bow on her own, and then rewarding the behavior.

In this video of Honey the Great Dane, the trainer shows a variation, using the treat in her hand instead of using a target. 

Sheena also is being trained with the treat in the hand technique.

In this video the puppy is being trained by different methods to keep it interesting. Sometimes the trainer drops treats on the floor in front of the dog to shape the behavior, she uses the treat in the hand technique to target, she also uses her own body language to crouch down (the mirror technique), and gets the puppy to pounce on a toy (shaping) - all great ways to get the bow. If one method hasn't worked for you and your dog, try some of these!