Most of the behaviors we teach dogs have a practical use — they allow us to better control, handle, and protect our dogs. However, some tricks are purely for fun and amusement, as well as providing engagement opportunities with your dog. Teaching your dog to take a bow is a cute and impressive way to finish after showing off their other tricks for guests.
Great Trick? Take a Bow!
Taking a bow is more than just a dip of the head. Instead, it looks a bit like the downward-facing dog position in yoga. The pup rests on their elbows as if lying down but bends their back and keeps their hind legs straight.
How to Begin: It may be helpful to have already trained your dog to stand. This is the easiest position to lure your dog into the bow. If they can stand still, the process becomes easier. Gather your clicker and treats, and remove distractions from the room in which you’re training.
Luring Them: Put your dog into a “stand.” Then, hold a treat in your fist close to their nose. Once you’ve got their attention, lower it to the ground slowly as your pup follows. The goal is to have your dog’s elbows touch the floor while their back legs are still upright, even if it’s just for a fraction of a second. However, some dogs may have a difficult time understanding exactly what you want them to do. At first, the best you may get from them is lowering their head halfway to the floor. If this is the case, work with them! Mark and reward their effort. Over time you’ll be able to shape them into a proper elbows-on-the-floor bow. Don’t add a verbal cue yet; say “yes” or “good” to praise them.
Repetition is Key: Do your best to lure your dog into the bow a couple more times during this first session. If at any point you start getting frustrated or Fido starts looking bored, immediately end the training session—you want this to be a fun activity, not an unpleasant ordeal! Do two or three training sessions each day if you can, keeping them to around 5-7 minutes long. The more often you repeat it, the faster your dog will learn.
Verbal Cues: When your pup is consistently following the lure into the bow, it’s time to add the verbal command. When they get into position, tell them “bow,” “take a bow,” “ta-da,” or any variation that you prefer. Again, keep these training sessions to five minutes, but repeat them multiple times each day if possible.
Troubleshooting: A bow is a rarer position for a dog to assume than something like “sit” or “lay down.” They generally only bow when stretching or playing. If your dog tends to play bow while you have a toy, consider using the toy instead of a treat to encourage your dog to get into the bow position.
You can also help shape your dog by placing an arm under their belly to hold up their rear end while luring them down into a bow.
Remember that teaching any new trick takes time and patience and that this can be a particularly difficult one. Be kind and move at your dog’s pace, and before you know it, they will be bowing on command! And once he masters the behavior, you should take a bow yourself!
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training provides professional and personal obedience classes to Sarasota and Bradenton area dogs. We love helping dogs and their owners create a more harmonious and happy relationship in the home.
