How to train your dog to spin?

Teaching your dog to spin is a great bonding and engaging activity that provides them with mental stimulation. It also helps improve your dog’s balance, coordination, and energy level. And, of course, it’s a fun and impressive trick.

This post will teach you how to train a dog to spin in four steps and troubleshoot common problematic behaviors. Ready to start? We’ve got you covered.

How to Teach Your Dog to Spin in 4 Steps

Step 1: Lure the Dog with a Treat

Before you begin, choose the direction (left or right) in which you want your dog to spin. Dogs usually have a preferred direction that they find more comfortable. You can figure out which direction is better for your dog by trying both and observing on which side their body turns more smoothly. Stick to this direction until they grasp the concept, then repeat the training process in the opposite direction.

Pro tip: Ensure your dog has no medical conditions that spinning could make worse.

Get your dog standing in front of you, show them the treat, and let them smell it. Then, approach your dog’s nose with your hand and slowly move it to the side of their head. Move the treat around the body to make a circle.

When your dog completes the circle, mark the behavior and reward it with a teat. Repeat the process until your dog consistently follows the lure.

Step 2: Fade the Lure

Next, you should fade the lure so your dog is only following your hand. The best way to do this is to guide your dog with an empty hand, just as you did using a lure. While guiding your dog, keep the reward in your other hand. When the dog completes the circle, mark, praise, and reward them with the treat from your other hand.

Step 3: Add a Hand Signal

You should start introducing your dog to a hand signal when you fade a lure effectively. You can point your finger to make your dog spin. As you did in previous stages, mark, praise, and reward the proper response to your command. After several successful repetitions, you can make the hand signal less pronounced.

Step 4: Add a Verbal Cue

When your dog masters the spinning trick with your hand signal, you can add a verbal cue, “Spin!” to the equation. Start by saying, “Spin!” Then, pause for a few seconds and add the hand signal you used. A reward should follow.

When your dog regularly spins after the verbal cue paired with the hand signal, increase the time between saying the cue and giving the hand signal. Keep practicing until your dog only starts to spin with a verbal command.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Teaching your dog spinning may seem straightforward, but some dogs need more time to master the trick. Let’s discuss how to teach your dog to spin left and right, avoiding pitfalls.

Here are common mistakes dog owners make when teaching a dog to spin:

• You are rushing the training process. If you notice your dog making constant mistakes when performing the spinning trick, you likely moved too quickly between the training steps. Don’t hesitate to repeat a few steps and practice in short sessions.

• You have long training sessions. Remember, your dog can get dizzy from spinning. That's why it’s necessary to practice for a limited time and watch for signs of your dog being confused and distressed.

• You are ignoring your dog's discomfort. Some dogs simply don’t develop a liking for the spinning sensation that is a part of the trick. Since the spin trick is nothing more than a fun activity, don’t push your dog too much into doing it. You can replace the trick with another one, such as tug of war, finding treats in the house, or practicing other commands your dog already knows – something you both will enjoy.

Wrap-Up

Teaching a dog to spin is a fun and stimulating activity many dogs and owners enjoy. Let your dog spin around in a circle, praise, mark, and reward the behavior. Gradually fade the lure and introduce the verbal cue. Remember, the spinning sensation can be overwhelming for your dog, so keep the training session short and watch your dog’s reaction to not tire them out.