Need a new trick idea to work on with your dog? Teach your dog to nod their head yes! Learn how to choose multiple cue words, and watch step by step here.

Get your dog's treats and work on this trick! 

VSA-CDT dog trainer Emily Fitzpatrick shows you how to teach your dog to nod their head yes!

Teach your dog to respond to those questions and more (with a head nod) by following along to this video! 

Emily, is the owner of Misunderstood Mutt. Her force-free approach involves positive reinforcement training and fun! Emily helps pup parents train their pups virtually. So no matter where you live, Emily will work with you one-on-one to address problem behaviors, stills, and more. Her focus is on helping you create a strong bond and connection with your pup! On IG she also shares wonderful tips and tricks to help you along the way! 

High Value Training Treats, Emily is using Freeze Dried Salmon Treats. Shop here.  

Capturing is when you teach your dog to perform a natural behavior on cue. You will watch your dog, and wait for them to perform the behavior you are looking for without prompting or guidance from you. In this case, you will be watching as your dog puts their head down then up. And you will mark and reward them immediately afterward. 

A great way to set your dog up for success here will be to take your treat, feed it up above their head so that they have to reach up to grab the treat and then lower their head back down. Once they lower their head back down you will click and reward. Then continue repeating that cycle.

Make sure to break up your 10 minute training session into one to two minute increments, taking a break for about three minutes, then starting over again. 

Once your dog is reliably offering the head dip nine times out of ten, it's time to add in the cue!

Use any cue that you would like. Emily is using, "Are you a pretty girl?"

As soon as your dog begins to lower their head, say the cue word, mark the behavior, and reinforce with the treat.

Reinforce up high again to initiate the behavior

Say the cue word as they lower their head

After your dog has a good understanding of what you are wanting from them, you can throw in another cue. Like, "Do you like Halloween?"

Simply switch up the cue after three cues of one, then do three of the other.

Thanks for following along! Remember to go at your dog's pace, keep your training session to about 10 minutes (with breaks throughout) and only move on to the next step once your dog is ready! 

For more training trick videos, be sure to check out both of our Trick Training Courses in Pupford Academy. Plus, in there you'll get access to a whole lot of other content, including Enrichment Activities, Impulse Control, Separation Anxiety, and so much more!  

What other tricks are you working on with your dog? Let us know in the comments!

[Video] Teach Your Dog to Nod 'Yes' | Pupford