In his book “The Intelligence of Dogs”, canine psychologist Stanley Coren placed Wire Fox Terriers in the “Above Average Working Dogs” category, noting their ability to learn new commands in just 15-25 repetitions.1 These intelligent, alert, and energetic little dogs were originally bred in England to flush foxes out of their dens for hunters.
Showcase your Wire Fox’s intelligence by teaching them these 8 advanced tricks that are sure to impress.
1. Catch & Retrieve Toys Like a Pro
Start by gently tossing treats for your terrier to catch. Once they master treat-catching, move on to lightweight toys. Toss the toy, and when they catch it, shower them with praise and follow up with a yummy reward.
2. Crawl under Bridges & Tunnels
Get on the floor with your dog and form a bridge with your knees. Lure them under the “bridge” with a treat, praising and rewarding when they emerge on the other side. Gradually phase out the lure as they learn the “under” cue. Then teach them to crawl through blanket tunnels for an extra challenge.
3. Speak or “Say Yes” on Command
Wait for your terrier to bark, then immediately click/praise and treat. Practice until they offer barks to earn rewards. Introduce a “speak” cue right before they bark.
For bonus points, teach them to “say yes” by holding a treat above their nose and moving it up and down so they nod their head.
4. Weave Smoothly between Your Legs
With your legs apart, lure the dog through with a treat. Reward when they pass through, then lure them back the other direction. Once they get the hang of it, add a “weave” cue and try it while slowly walking forward.
5. Shake Hands or High Five
Hold your hand out and wait. When your dog lifts their paw to touch your hand, click/praise and treat. Practice until they consistently paw your hand. Then start adding duration by waiting a second before treating. Finally, introduce a “shake” cue and hold your hand vertically for a high five.
6. Perform a Sequence of Tricks
Wire Fox Terriers love being challenged mentally. Take tricks your dog already knows and chain them together, like sit-down-spin-speak.
Give a unique cue for the sequence, like “showtime!” Soon you’ll have your own Tintin and Snowy trick duo.
7. Train Them to Find Hidden Toys
Engage your Wire Fox Terrier’s strong hunting instincts by teaching them to find toys you’ve hidden. Start by playing with a specific toy, then while they’re watching, hide it under a blanket or behind a piece of furniture.
Give the cue “find it” and praise/reward when they locate the toy. Make the hiding spots harder as they improve.
8. Teach Them to Put Away Their Toys
Impress your friends by having your terrier tidy up after playtime. Teach them to pick up a toy and drop it into a designated basket. Start by placing the toy right by the basket, giving the cue “clean up”, and rewarding them for dropping it in.
Gradually increase the distance the toy is from the basket.
More Tips for Successfully Teaching Your Wire Fox Terrier Tricks
Training your Wire Fox Terrier can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your clever canine companion.
Here are a few more tips to help you successfully teach your terrier new tricks:
- Use short, frequent training sessions to keep your terrier engaged. Aim for 5-10 minute sessions a few times per day.
- Be patient and persistent. Wire Fox Terriers are smart but independent, so training takes time and consistency. Celebrate small successes along the way.
- Teach tricks that play to your terrier’s natural instincts, like finding hidden toys, to make learning extra fun and rewarding for them.
- Always end training sessions on a positive note, even if your Wire Fox doesn’t quite get a new trick yet. Patience and praise will help them learn.
With creativity, consistency, and a focus on making training fun, your clever Wire Fox Terrier will amaze you with the many tricks they can master. The key is building a strong bond and using positive methods to shape their natural intelligence and enthusiasm into impressive skills.
Source:
1. petrix.com
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.