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Learn how to cross the street safely together with your dog, as this is very important. Follow the step by step instructions below. The following steps are specially for dogs that never been exposed to traffic before, or for dogs that are afraid of traffic.

Cross the street safety

• If your dog is not used to traffic, accustom him to the sights and sounds by taking him to a spot where you can sit and watch traffic go by without being too close. Distract him by offering small pieces of food or a desirable toy. Don’t fuss over him or hold him coz that will just make him feel that there is something to be afraid of. Speak to him in a normal tone.
• Once the dog appears unbothered by the traffic, walk him quietly on the sidewalk, again distracting him as vehicles approach. Reward him after they have passed. Soon he will look to you for a reward and ignore the traffic.
• When crossing the street, stop at a point where you have a good view in both directions. Avoid crossing at intersections unless there is a pedestrian crossing. Command your dog to sit at the heel position while you check whether the street is safe to cross. Continue to remind the dog to stay, keeping his attention on you with a treat, toy, or verbal encouragement until you cross.
• Cross only when the street is clear in both directions. Keep checking for approaching vehicles and keep your dog’s attention on you by holding a treat in the hand closest to you.

Key points to remember

• Start by training on quiet streets
• Be sure that your dog’s collar is adjusted correctly so he can’t slip out of it and escape into the street
• Leash length is important. It must be a suitable type for the size of your dog and not too long for good handling and control. Using a retractable leash isn’t a good idea when walking your dog near traffic. If he should dash out into the path of vehicles, you may not be able to stop him quickly enough
• Keep your dog in the sit position as traffic is passing so he is under control until you are ready to cross
• Be sure you have the dog’s attention before stepping off the curb

Roll over requires your dog to lie down flat on his stomach, roll all the way over, and get back to his feet. Though concept is simple, this is not always an easy trick for your dog to perform. Long-back breeds like dachshunds or basset hounds may not be as good at this trick as other breeds due to the way they are built.

As you train this trick, pay close attention to your dog to be sure he’s not hurting or twisting his back. If despite your best efforts, your dog refuses to get on his back, skip this trick and try another. Your dog may be sore or uncomfortable and this may be his only way to express it. It is always important when training a dog to listen to what she is telling you.

1. Get your dog to lie down with his belly touching the ground, and click and treat.
2. Use a treat or a toy to turn your dog’s head until he flops over on one hip, and click and treat.
3. Use a treat or toy held close to your dog’s shoulder to get him completely on his side, and click and treat.
4. Gradually move the treat or toy, while he’s chewing on it, to move him onto his back and then eventually all the way over. This step often takes many attempts before the dog is comfortable enough to be on his back.
5. Click and treat small efforts to move toward the treat at first before you get him to move further to get his click and treat. If you make it hard to earn a click your dog will quit on you and think it’s no fun.
6. When your dog is rolling over easily, it’s time to start fading out all the extra cues and make him offer more before you click.
7. Once he can roll over with just this little bit of help you can begin to label this trick as rollover. Whatever you are doing with your hand or fist could be a hand signal for the behaviour as well.
8. Add in distractions one at a time and be prepared to help him complete the trick if he has trouble concentrating.

Trick tips : obstacles to roll over

Dogs with long backs sometimes find it uncomfortable and awkward to roll over on their backs and then try to get back on their feet. Overweight dogs or dogs that have had back injuries in the past may also have difficulties. If possible, use a soft surface like a towel or carpet to teach the roll over trick.