Trick Dog in the Making

Minnow had a personality that was impossible to ignore. She was sweet, sassy, and never shy about letting us know exactly what she wanted. One of her greatest motivations was Greek yogurt, and she would happily learn just about anything if it meant earning her favourite treat.

From the very beginning, training was about much more than teaching tricks. It was about building trust, creating clear communication, and helping both dogs and people enjoy life together. Because Minnow loved doing things her own way, having structure gave her the perfect outlet for all of that wonderful personality.

We were fortunate to learn an important lesson from her breeder: sit politely before asking for attention. That simple habit became the foundation for everything that followed. Instead of jumping excitedly, Minnow learned to offer a calm sit, setting the stage for years of successful training.

We started with the basics—sit, down, shake, and stay—before moving on to more playful tricks like high five, sit pretty, and one of our favourites, Say Your Prayers, where she gently rested her paws on our arm and tucked her head beneath them.

As her confidence grew, so did her abilities.

Minnow earned her AKC Advanced Trick Dog title, achieved her Canine Good Citizen certification, and explored agility, nose work, and rally obedience. Rally quickly became one of our favourite activities because it felt less like competition and more like solving puzzles together.

She learned crowd-pleasing tricks like Orbit, backing gracefully around us on cue, and could spin in either direction with ease. Every new skill became another opportunity to make people smile.

Some of the most memorable tricks came from everyday life. She learned to open the refrigerator with a tug, bring us a bottle of water, and even close the door afterwards. During one Thanksgiving gathering, we invented a new trick called Burrito, where she wrapped herself in a blanket by combining a roll-over with a playful tug. She mastered it in less than fifteen minutes.

Another family favourite was Achoo. Whenever someone pretended to sneeze, Minnow would sprint to the bathroom, grab the tissue box, and proudly deliver it.

Many of her best tricks began as natural behaviours.

When she wanted something, she’d tap her paw on the floor and let out an unmistakable Toller grumble. Instead of discouraging it, we turned it into a cue called Demand It. She also learned playful favourites like Where’s Your Tail?, Give Me a Kiss, Give Me a Hug, and Look Behind You, showing just how quickly she connected words with actions.

Training never felt like work.

It became one of the ways we spent time together, building a relationship through patience, consistency, and countless moments of laughter.

Of course, Minnow always kept us humble.

If the treat pouch was ever left unattended, she’d quietly help herself before we noticed. By the time we realised what had happened, the evidence had already disappeared, and she’d be looking back at us with an innocent expression that somehow made it impossible to stay upset.

Smart enough to learn almost anything, determined enough to negotiate every reward, and always ready for the next adventure, Minnow reminded us that the best lessons aren’t just about teaching—they’re about learning together.