How to Train Your Dog to Perform a Beg Trick

Teaching your dog to “beg” or “sit pretty” is a relatively simple trick you can teach your dog for fun. The begging trick is different from your dog's natural begging behavior at a table for “people” food, as it is an on-demand, trained behavior. Not only is this trick cute, but it strengthens your dog's core muscles, improves balance, and provides a good stretch for back muscles, all of which can help prevent injuries in other activities such as agility, play or sporting activities. To sit pretty or beg, your dog balances on his hind legs with his upper body upright and front legs curled in front of him. If your dog has an orthopedic condition, or has a long body like a dachshund or corgi, check with your veterinarian whether this trick is appropriate for them to learn, and will not further aggravate their condition or put stress on joints, bones, and muscles. If your dog is physically cleared to perform this trick, it can be lots of fun and entertainment for you and your friends when they see what a clever dog you have!

Most dogs do not have the muscles to perform this trick at first without support, so you may need to physically support your dog as he learns this trick until he develops the balance and strength to perform it on his own. Developing muscles to perform the task independently may take several weeks. Before learning tricks like ‘beg’, your dog should know basic obedience commands, especially sit, which is the first stage of the beg trick. Most dogs pick the beg trick up pretty quickly, within a few days, as it is an extension of the sit command, and their natural food seeking and curiosity behavior. This trick can be taught to older puppies if they have developed the patience and physical strength to perform the trick. If your young dog does not know basic sit command, or is not ready to wait for a treat, you may need to delay teaching this trick until they are a bit more mature.

You will need treats to teach your dog to beg. Your dog should know their basic obedience commands, especially ‘sit’, and have enough patience to attend to your commands and wait for a reward. Make sure that your dog does not have any medical conditions or injuries that would prevent him being able to balance or hold the beg position, or that would aggravate an existing condition. Choose a command such as “Beg” or “Sit Pretty” and be consistent with that command. Several helpful methods for teaching this trick follow.