Feature Video
Sage getting Towel
Training Tip
How to teach your
dog the bow

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HOW TO TEACH YOUR DOG THE BOW

The number one thing to remember when teaching a trick is that it should always be fun for you and your dog.  Never force your dog into doing any trick.  If you or your dog become frustrated, just forget this trick.  There are many other fun tricks to teach your dog. Keep it fun and Good Luck!
 
Tip 1: The trick is much easier if your dog has an understanding of stand, down, and stay.
 
To begin, have the dog stand and position yourself on the dog’s side, close to the shoulder. With one hand, place a treat in front of your dog’s nose.  Take your other hand and place it lightly under the dog’s belly, toward the flank area.  Give the cue ‘Down Bow’ saying ‘Down’ louder then ‘Bow’, while at the same time leading the dog’s nose toward the floor with the treat.  When the dog begins to go down, gently scratch the belly with your hand to help keep the back end up.  Do not remove your hand from the belly.  Hold the dog in this position for a few seconds and then give the release cue.  Give the dogs lots of praise saying ‘Good Down Bow’ followed by the treat. Once your dog completes this part, drop the ‘Down’ part of the cue, but continue to lead the nose with the treat to the floor while keeping the other hand under the belly.  Once you feel your dog is solid on the bow, remove your hand from the belly.  If the dog starts to go back down, put your hand back under the belly.
 
Tip 2: In order to get the best bow, leave your hand close to the dog’s belly. You need not touch the dog for your dog to know your hand is there.  If the dog does start to go all the way down, you can catch the belly before the dog gets there.
 
In order to increase bow time, give the ‘Bow’ cue doing all of the above.  When your dog is in the bow position, add the ‘Stay’ cue. Make sure you end the trick with your release cue before your dog can decide on his own to end it.  Soon the dog will stay in the bow position for longer periods.  
 
Tip 3: There is no set time limit for the trick.  Some dogs catch on fast and others take longer, so be patient.

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through the use of an Assistance Dog   
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Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. provides specially trained assistance dogs
for people with disabilities.  We emphasize the dogs’ well-being as well as our handlers’ needs.
 For Team TLCAD training, each trainer takes in one dog at a time and trains that dog from start to finish – (graduation at 18 to 24 months) and beyond.
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