Dog Trick 101: Say Your Prayers

One of the cutest dog tricks to teach your pup is to say their prayers. This trick can be easily executed with just a couple of simple steps.

Step One

Lure your dog’s front two paws up on your arm. This can be done by asking for a paw and rewarding for one paw at a time. Most dogs will naturally just hop two paws onto the arm when asked, but if you are having trouble, you can stand and attempt to have your dog reach for your arm. Once you have perfected this behavior, you can move onto the next step.

Step Two

Making sure the dog has step one down, you ask them to place their paws up and stick your hand under your arm (see photo for visual). You need to reward the dog for not jumping off your arm, and reward at the top, middle, and finally when they are bowing their head between your arm. If this step is done correctly, you will successfully have completed the trick!

99.9% of the time, every dog is going to drop a paw when you try to lower their head. Don’t worry! With enough time and patience, you will achieve the final behavior.

Remember to keep training fun! Don’t force your dog or ask them to do something they are not comfortable with. Have fun and happy training!

The Super Collies

Sara Carson successfully ran her own dog training business for over five years. During that time period, she taught dog trick classes, obedience, puppy foundation, and agility. Currently, she is traveling North America and spending her days performing with a popular stunt dog team. Carson is considered one of the top trick dog instructors in the world and is certified through "Do More With Your Dog!". Known for her appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, Carson and Hero have captivated audiences all over the world.