Command Shame or Hide

Difficulty level: ★★★★

"Pretending to be embarrassed" is a cute and funny trick where your dog puts his paw over his nose, as if hiding or embarrassed. This trick requires patience and consistency, but it's a real crowd-pleaser.

How to Teach Your Dog to 'Act Ashamed'

Start with a basic command: Have your dog say "Sit" or "Down" to start in a stable position.
Introduce a stimulus: Use a small piece of tape or lint and gently place it on your dog's nose. He'll try to wipe it away with his paw.
Give the command: Say "Shame" or "Hide" while your dog moves his paw over his nose. Use a marker signal like "Yes" as soon as he does this.
Reward immediately: Give your dog a treat and praise as soon as he puts his paw over his nose.
Refine the movement: After a few sessions, remove the stimulus and use only the command to elicit the trick.
Reward only on command: Make sure you only reward your dog when he puts his paw over his nose after you give the command.

Tips for success

Use a gentle stimulus: Make sure the tape or lint is safe and comfortable for your dog.
Practice in short sessions: Keep training fun and avoid frustration by keeping sessions short.
Reward small steps: Even if your dog just moves his paw toward his face, reward him to encourage him.

Why is "Pretending to Be Ashamed" important?

This trick stimulates your dog's focus and body coordination. It's not only an impressive trick to perform, but it also provides mental stimulation and strengthens your teamwork.

Troubleshooting during training

Is your dog not responding? Use a stronger stimulus, like a piece of fluff that sticks a little longer.
Is he getting frustrated? Reward small movements and gradually build up the behavior.
Is he afraid of the stimulus? Get him used to it by using it in a different place first, like on his paw.

Would you like to show us how to teach your dog to "Pretend to be ashamed"?
Send us a video explaining the training process and sharing your approach. Email your video to klantenservice@fidello.nl and receive €10 in store credit if your submission is published. 🐾🎥

"Pretending to Be Embarrassed" adds a cute and creative trick to your dog's repertoire. Good luck and have fun training!