How To Teach Your Dog To Skateboard
If you have ever seen videos of Tillman, the skating Bulldog, cruising down the street, you will understand how cool a dog on a board can be. The trick may appear tough to teach, but with the correct dog treats and a little patience, you can teach it to your pooch in no time. Below are some tricks on how to train your dog to skateboard:
Consider the dog’s type, size, and physical strength
When training your dog to skateboard, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure that your dog is physically capable of performing the act. While any dog may theoretically learn to skateboard, we believe that certain species, such as bulldogs, are more prepared than others. Some breeds’ legs are too small to touch the floor when standing on the board.
It is also essential to consult your veterinarian to ensure that your dog is in good enough form and is healthy enough to manage a skill like skateboarding. You do not want to place an anxious dog on a board, either. He might be a little apprehensive of the skateboard at first, but he will get over it and participate. If your dog is extremely hesitant and refuses to approach new objects, do not push him. It’s not worth jeopardizing your bond with your dog only to perform a cool trick.
Allow your dog to become familiarized with skateboarding
You must first ensure that your dog enjoys the physical board before training him to skateboard. According to our experts, you should first expose your dog to the skateboard and ensure that he is comfortable with it.
Once he has become used to the motionless skateboard, start moving it about a little to make him used to the notion that it’s not a stationary thing. That is when a lot of dogs get scared of an object when it moves. When the dog pays attention and notices it, move the skateboard a little bit and give him goodies.
Take a static skateboard
The skateboard must remain stationary during the following step. Put it on the ground or on the floor to stabilize or freeze the tires. You would like the dog to begin riding on the skateboard, but you also want it to remain motionless because if it slides when he is training, he could get scared and never touch it once more.
You might start by convincing a dog to leap onto one of those aerobic stacking steps, which are roughly the equivalent level as a skateboard but do not slide. The goal is for the dog to develop the muscle memory necessary for stepping up onto something.
Move your dog on the skateboard
Once your dog is completely at ease on the skateboard, gradually increase the speed of the skateboard. It is fine if he leaps off. It is all a part of the procedure. Continue this process until the dog is still on the skateboard and you can move it around quite a bit.
Train your dog regularly
Tie a leash or a rope to the board for the following stage so that you have complete control over it. When your dog is standing on the board, you must never leave his side. Put two claws on the skateboard and tilt it sideways with your leg or palm after the dog is familiar with the movement of the skateboard gliding with him on top of it. The dog will need to learn how to shift his weight so that he can keep up with the skateboard.
Wrapping up!
To train your dog in the best way, you should try giving them their favorite treats on accomplishing smaller steps. You can use a toy or attention if your dog is not interested in snacks. Your dog will eventually learn that when he moves his rear or front feet, the skateboard moves, and he will be rewarded handsomely at the end.