TEACHING YOUR DOG TRICKS: METHOD, MOTIVATION AND BOND WITH TAZZ AND ZOÉ (@tazz_bergeraustra)
Hello! My name is Zoé, I'm a high school student and the owner of Tazz, a tailless black tricolor Australian Shepherd, since he was 3 months old. He helps me with my daily life. He's a bit of a goofball, but very hardworking and athletic!
How did you start learning tricks together?
From the time he was 3 months old, we started working on fun little tricks (turns, slalom, poses, bows…) with treats and lots of good humor!
What's the trick you're most proud of with Tazz?
There are two of them!
The somersault , which seemed impossible to me at first, because he had difficulties with his supports — and especially because he weighs 30 kg, while I weigh 50. And the second is the “ boop ”: when I have a self-sabotaging behavior during a stressful situation (scratching myself hard, pinching myself, biting myself), he gives me his paw or boops me with his muzzle to interrupt me and help me come back to myself.
How much time do you typically spend training each week?
Tazz is a working dog; he helps me with my autism and other disorders. He trains daily , between 20 minutes and 2 hours a day , sometimes more during training outings specifically for his training.
For fun tricks, we really have a blast on the weekend! There, it's between 10 minutes and 1 hour depending on our motivation.
What's your favorite method for teaching a new trick?
We often work with clicker training: the principle is to click at the precise moment when the dog makes the expected gesture.
But we also use the target : a stick with a small ball at the end that the dog follows with its nose. It's very practical for guiding him and helping him understand the positions or movements we expect of him!
The key takeaway: Zoé and Tazz show us just how much partnership, patience, and training can transform a dog's life… and that of its human. Their inspiring duo proves that learning tricks isn't just a game—it's also a true bond of trust and love!
Our advice to make training your little one easier:
And to train your dog while strengthening your bond, don't forget the importance of rewards! Nothing motivates and rewards their efforts better than little treats. BFPetfood treats are perfect for this: you can choose between crunchy treats or dried meat strips made with 99% meat and 1% salmon oil . Healthy, tasty, and above all, very popular with dogs! Plus, there are several flavors to keep things interesting. Everything you need to make every training session a joyful and delicious experience.
HIS INSTAGRAM PROFILE: @tazz_bergeraustra
