How To Train Your Dog for Instagram-Worthy Tricks and Social Media Fame
Dogs on social media, who doesn’t love them? In fact, social media has become a powerful platform for showcasing our pets and dogs are taking the spotlight. Whether you want to create a page dedicated to your dog and feel-good moments, inspire others to do more things with their dog or want to show the hilarious things that your dog does, a social media account is the way to go! One thing I have noticed is that dog trick training is incredibly popular and can make those accounts go viral.
In this blog, I’ll explore how to train your dog for tricks that look amazing on camera, how to capture those moments and how to create memorable dog videos that will get you likes and shares.
Why Train Your Dog for Social Media Fame?
OK, so whilst making your dog popular online is appealing in itself, the benefit of trick training your dog goes way beyond this. Dogs love to use their brains and mental stimulation is something that most dogs are hugely lacking in their day to day lives. Trick training is such a lovely way to fulfil their needs whilst at the same time giving you a beautiful way to build a gorgeous relationship with your dog. Most dogs love learning new things and tricks can really put their brains to the test. If your dog has a repertoire of tricks up their sleeves, you can work on these anywhere you go! And that means you have a load of options to draw upon if you need to increase their engagement with you outdoors, especially if there are lots of competing distractions around. Not only that, you’ll have lots of lovely videos that you can always look back on and you never know, your dog might just be the next social media star!
Dog Tricks to Teach for Instagram
Some dog tricks just seem to steal the show online. Here are a few easy and popular dog tricks that are sure to get your dog noticed (if your dog is suffering from pain, injury or illness, please consult with your veterinarian/canine physiotherapist before you teach them any tricks):
Sit Pretty (Begging Pose):
The "sit pretty" trick is where your dog balances on their hind legs while sitting upright and it seems to be a crowd favourite (see videos below!). Not only does it look impressive, but it also makes for great Instagram photos and videos.
How to Train:
Start by having your dog sit comfortably on all four feet.
Either hold a treat above their head and slightly behind them and as your dog reaches for the treat, they should naturally lift their front paws to balance. When they do, reward and praise. Alternatively hold a treat on your dogs nose and move your hand very slowly upwards, maintaining contact with your dog’s nose as you do this. At some point, your dog will raise one paw from the ground. When they do, reward them. Continue doing this until they raise both paws off the ground.
Repeat the process and, when they are consistently raising just their two front paws off the ground add the cue “sit pretty” or “beg” just before they start lifting their paws.
Practice until they can sit pretty on command for several seconds.
If you find that your dog struggles to balance, make sure you go very slowly when moving the treat higher. Alternatively, have them sit in between your legs (facing forward) and use your legs for them to balance on as they lift their front feet.
Give Paw
This classic dog trick never goes out of style. "Paw" (or shake hands or even high five as a twist on this) is a simple yet adorable trick that looks great in videos.
How to Train:
Start by sitting with your dog and showing them a treat in your hand.
Your dog is likely going to try and get the treat and at some point will likely paw at your hand.
When they do, reward them with the treat and praise.
When they start doing this consistently, remove the treat from your hand, holding out your empty hand instead for them to paw at. When they do, reward and praise.
Then add your cue before you hold your hand out. The cue can be anything…”paw” is the most commonly used word for this.
Practice regularly, and your dog will start offering their paw on cue, looking adorable for photos and videos!
Roll Over
For a playful, action-packed trick (think James Bond style), teaching your dog to roll over is a fun and eye-catching move.
Click here to see my client teaching their dog Moose a roll over!
How to Train:
Start by having your dog lie down on their belly.
Hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it in a circular motion around their head.
As your dog follows the treat, they should naturally roll onto their side and back. When they do, reward them.
Practice the roll a few times, adding the cue word "roll over" before you guide your dog round.
Over time, your dog will learn to roll on command, creating a great action-packed moment for your videos.
Spin
This fun trick has your dog spinning in circles when cued and people love it!
How to Train:
Have your dog standing facing you. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly move your hand in a circle.
As your dog follows the treat, their body should naturally spin.
Reward them when they have turned in a circle and are facing you again.
Repeat lots. When they are always turning in a nice circle, remove the treat from your hand and guide them round in a circle with an empty hand. When they start to do this every time, add your cue before you guide them round in a circle.
Gradually, your dog will learn to spin in a full circle whenever you give the cue, making a great visual for your social media videos.
Play Dead
Teaching your dog to "play dead" is a hilarious and visually captivating trick.
Click here to see the most dramatic play dead we taught little Oscar!
How to Train:
Start with your dog in the “down” position.
Hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it toward the side of their face so they lie on their side.
As your dog falls onto their side, reward them.
Repeat lots and when your dog is always laying on their side when you guide them, add your cue before you guide them. Some people say “play dead” for this as their cue. Some people say “night, night”. It doesn’t matter what cue you give this, as long as your dog knows what they need to do before you add the cue.
Repeat until they lie completely still when you give the cue, and you’ll have the perfect "dead dog" moment to capture on camera!
Tips for Capturing Memorable Dog Videos and Photos
Once your dog has learned a few fun tricks, it’s time to start filming! Here are some tips for capturing the best photos and videos of your dog:
Use Natural Lighting
Lighting can make or break your photos and videos. Natural light is your best friend when capturing your dog’s tricks. Try filming outside during the golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) for soft, flattering lighting. If you're indoors, make sure the room is well-lit, or use a ring light to brighten you and your dog. Don’t forget to clear the clutter from the room too!
Get the Right Angle
When shooting your dog performing tricks, remember that angles matter! Shoot from a lower angle to get the best shot, especially for sitting or standing tricks. For a trick like "sit pretty," try to shoot from the front or slightly to the side to showcase your dog’s posture and facial expression.
Capture Action Shots
While posed shots are great, don’t forget to capture action-packed moments. If your dog is rolling over, spinning or jumping, aim to film in slow motion. This adds drama and excitement to your videos and makes them stand out.
Click here to see a little fun I had with my dog Maggie in the woods.
Or click here to see how we turned our tricks into that scene from Love Actually at Christmas!
Create Short, Shareable Content
Social media thrives on short, engaging content. Keep your videos between 15 to 30 seconds for maximum engagement. A quick shot of your dog performing their best tricks will keep followers coming back for more. Don't forget to add fun music, captions and hashtags to boost your visibility!
Remember that every dog learns at their own pace, so be patient and enjoy the training process. With time and effort, your dog will be ready to shine on social media.
Training your dog for Insta-worthy tricks is a rewarding experience that has benefits for you all. Not only will you have a talented dog to showcase online, but you’ll also create lasting memories together. Whether you’re teaching them to "give paw", "sit pretty" or roll over, these dog tricks are perfect for social media fame.
For more tips on dog training and puppy training, explore my training tips and resources on my website. If you need help to train your dog or puppy, please do get in touch by using the Book Now button below.
Examples of some tricks below, not shot for social media. See Instagram for published content. All content is copyright of @ProgDog.