Circle Around Feet

A great trick in which your dog surrounds your feet in circles.

Introduction

Circle around feet is a great trick that can be used to entertain guests or simply show off your dog's skills. It is also a good way to improve your dog's obedience and focus.

Common Misconceptions

Some people think that only certain breeds of dogs can learn to circle around feet. However, any dog can learn this trick, regardless of their breed or size.

Circle Around Bye - Video Walkthrough

Steps to Address

Teaching Phase:

The goal of the teaching phase is to get your dog to understand the concept of circling around your feet.

  1. Have your dog sit in front of you and place a slightly elevated object in between you and him.
  2. Lure your dog towards you with a treat so that just his front paws are on the object. Mark and reward.
  3. Place a treat above your dog's nose and hold it there so that he's sniffing it. Start walking in a circle around him without moving your hand. The front paws of your dog should stay on the object while his hind legs go around it to make room for you.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 several times, marking and rewarding every few steps your dog takes around the object.
  5. Once your dog is getting the hang of step 3, begin standing in one spot and move only your hand to get his hind legs to walk around the object. Mark and reward every few steps he takes around the object.

Reinforcing Phase:

Once your dog is consistently circling around the object when you move your hand, you can start phasing out the lure.

  1. Start by saying "circle" and then move your hand to get your dog to start circling around the object.
  2. Mark and reward him when he starts to circle around the object.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 several times, gradually reducing the amount of help you give your dog.

Proofing Phase:

Once your dog is consistently circling around the object without any help from you, you can start practicing in different environments.

  1. Start by practicing in a quiet room.
  2. Once your dog is comfortable in a quiet room, you can start practicing in more distracting environments, such as outside or around other people and animals.
  3. Gradually increase the distance and duration of your practice sessions.

Maintenance Phase:

Once your dog is consistently circling around the object in different environments, you can start practicing in every obedience session. Be sure to reward your dog for their efforts, even if they don't get it perfect every time.

Here are some additional tips for teaching your dog to circle around feet:

  • Be patient and positive. It takes time and patience to teach a dog to circle around feet. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't get it right away. Just keep practicing and they will eventually learn.
  • Make sure your dog is having fun. If your dog is not enjoying themselves, they are less likely to want to learn.
  • Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog for their efforts, even if they don't get it perfect right away.
  • Start with short training sessions. Don't try to teach your dog too much at once.
  • Be consistent with your training. Practice regularly and your dog will eventually learn to circle around feet.

Case Studies

There are many success stories of dogs who have learned to circle around feet. One such story is that of a dog named Buddy. Buddy was a rescue dog who was not very interested in learning tricks. However, with patience and training, he learned to circle around feet and even competed in a dog show.

Pet Parent Coaching Tips

Here are a few tips for pet parents who are teaching their dogs to circle around feet:

  • Be patient and positive. It takes time and patience to teach a dog to circle around feet. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't get it right away. Just keep practicing and they will eventually learn.
  • Make sure your dog is having fun. If your dog is not enjoying themselves, they are less likely to want to learn.
  • Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog for their efforts, even if they don't get it perfect right away.
  • Start with short training sessions. Don't try to teach your dog too much at once.
  • Be consistent with your training. Practice regularly and your dog will eventually learn to circle around feet.

Conclusion

Circle around feet is a great trick that can be enjoyed by both dogs and their owners. With patience and a little bit of training, your dog will be circling around your feet in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What age should my dog be to start learning to circle around feet?
    A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on the individual dog. However, most experts recommend starting training when your dog is at least 6 months old.
  • Q: What kind of dog is best for learning to circle around feet?
    A: Any dog can learn to circle around feet, regardless of their breed or size. However, some breeds are more naturally inclined to this trick, such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds.
  • Q: How long does it take to teach a dog to circle around feet?
    A: It depends on the individual dog. Some dogs may learn it in a few weeks, while others may take a few months. Just be patient and keep practicing and your dog will eventually learn.