Have you ever been in the middle of a quiet moment, only to have your dog let out a surprisingly loud, dramatic sneeze that makes you jump and then laugh? Dogs sneeze for all sorts of reasons—from a tickle in their nose to a sign of excitement during play. But what if you could bottle that funny little quirk and turn it into an adorable trick on command? Well, you can!
Teaching your dog to ‘fake sneeze’ is more than just a silly party trick; it’s a fantastic way to engage their brain, build their confidence, and strengthen the incredible bond you share. Trick training is a form of enrichment that keeps your dog mentally stimulated and happy. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s absolutely hilarious to watch. In this guide, we’ll walk you through two simple, positive-reinforcement methods to teach your furry friend their newest, and possibly cutest, command. So grab your tastiest treats, and let’s get ready to say ‘Achoo!’
Setting Up for a Sneezy Success: What You’ll Need
Before you start your journey into the world of canine theatrics, it’s best to get all your props ready. Having everything on hand makes the training session smoother and more effective. Luckily, you don’t need much to teach this trick, and you probably already have everything at home!
Your Training Toolkit:
- High-Value Treats: These are the special, irresistible goodies your dog absolutely loves. Think tiny pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or their favorite soft training treats. The key is that they should be small and quick to eat so you don’t break the flow of the session.
- A Clicker (Optional, but Recommended): A clicker is a fantastic tool for marking the exact moment your dog does the right thing. This precise communication can speed up the learning process. If you’re not using a clicker, you’ll need a verbal marker, like a clear and consistent “Yes!”.
- A Quiet Training Space: Choose a location with minimal distractions. Your living room, a quiet hallway, or a fenced-in yard are all great options. You want your dog’s full attention on you and the fun game you’re about to play.
- Patience and a Positive Attitude: This is the most important tool in your kit! Every dog learns at a different pace. Keep it fun, stay positive, and celebrate the small wins. Your happy energy is contagious and will keep your dog engaged and eager to learn.
Method 1: Capturing the Elusive Natural Sneeze
This method is all about patience and timing. ‘Capturing’ is a training technique where you watch for a natural behavior, mark it the second it happens, and reward it. Over time, the dog learns to offer the behavior intentionally to earn that reward. It’s a wonderful, force-free way to train.
Step-by-Step Guide to Capturing:
- Become a Sneeze Scientist: Your first job is to observe. When does your dog naturally sneeze? Many dogs sneeze when they first wake up, when they get really excited during play (this is called a ‘play sneeze’), or when they sniff something dusty under the couch. Pay attention and learn their patterns.
- Be Quick on the Draw: You must be ready to act the instant a sneeze happens. Keep your treats and clicker (or your marker word ‘Yes!’) handy. The moment you hear that ‘achoo’ and see that nose scrunch, click or say ‘Yes!’ and immediately give your dog a delicious treat. Your timing is everything here—it tells your dog, ‘THAT! That thing you just did with your nose is what earned you this treat!’
- Rinse and Repeat (A Lot): Consistency is your best friend. You need to mark and reward every single natural sneeze you can catch. It might take dozens of repetitions over several days or even weeks before your dog starts to make the connection. You might feel a little silly at first, but trust the process!
- The ‘Aha!’ Moment: You’ll know it’s working when you see your dog start to offer a little ‘pre-sneeze’ head jerk or a nose wrinkle, looking at you expectantly. They are starting to think, ‘Hmm, when I do that sneezy thing, I get a treat. Maybe I should try it on purpose?’ This is the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for!
- Introduce the Cue Word: Once your dog is offering the sneeze on purpose, it’s time to put it on command. Just as you see them gearing up to offer a sneeze, say your chosen cue word, like “Achoo!” or “Sneeze!” in a clear, upbeat voice. Then, when they sneeze, mark and reward as usual. After several successful repetitions, you can start trying to say the cue to see if they’ll perform the trick from scratch.
Expert Tip: Keep training sessions short and sweet—just 5-10 minutes at a time is perfect. This prevents your dog (and you!) from getting frustrated and keeps the game fun.
Method 2: The Luring Method (For When You Can’t Wait!)
If your dog is a rare sneezer or you’re just eager to get started, the luring method can be a great alternative. This involves using something to gently encourage a sneeze-like motion. The key here is to be extremely gentle and prioritize your dog’s comfort and safety above all else.
How to Safely Lure a Sneeze:
- Find the ‘Tickle’: The goal isn’t to force a real, full-blown sneeze, but to find something that makes your dog wrinkle their nose or puff air out of it in a similar way. You can try gently tickling their whiskers with a soft blade of grass or even one of their own shed whiskers. Another common technique is to very gently and briefly blow a tiny puff of air on the top of their nose from a distance.
- Mark the Smallest Movement: The moment your dog responds to the lure by wrinkling their nose, pulling their head back, or puffing air, mark it with your clicker or ‘Yes!’ and give them a treat. At first, you are rewarding any small reaction in the right direction.
- Shape the Behavior: ‘Shaping’ means gradually rewarding behaviors that get closer and closer to the final trick. Once your dog is reliably wrinkling their nose, wait for a slightly bigger wrinkle or a small puff of air before you reward. Over time, you’ll shape these small movements into a more convincing ‘fake sneeze’.
- Add the Verbal Cue: Just like with the capturing method, once the behavior is looking consistent, you can add your cue word. Say “Achoo!” right before you present the lure. After many repetitions, your dog will associate the word with the action.
- Fade the Lure: The final step is to phase out the need for the tickle or puff of air. Start by making the lure less obvious—hold the blade of grass further away or just gesture towards their nose without actually blowing. Reward any sneeze that happens with just the verbal cue and a hand signal, until eventually, the verbal cue alone is enough to get a fantastic ‘Achoo!’.
A Crucial Note on Safety
Never, ever use anything irritating or harmful to try and make your dog sneeze. Do not use pepper, strong perfumes, dust, or any other substance that could harm their sensitive nasal passages. The goal is a gentle, harmless tickle, not irritation. If your dog seems uncomfortable or stressed by this method at any point, stop immediately and switch to the capturing method.
When the ‘Achoo’ Won’t Come Through: Troubleshooting
Sometimes, you hit a snag in your training. Don’t worry, it happens to everyone! It’s usually a small issue that can be fixed with a little adjustment. Here are some common problems and how to solve them.
- My dog just stares at me blankly. This often means the reward isn’t motivating enough. Try switching to an even higher-value treat—something they almost never get. Also, make sure your training sessions are happening when they’re not tired or too full from a meal.
- My dog seems stressed or frustrated. This is a clear sign to end the session on a positive note. Ask for a simple trick you know they can do, like ‘sit,’ reward them enthusiastically for it, and then call it a day. Keep future sessions shorter and focus on making it a fun, low-pressure game.
- They only do the trick when I have the ‘lure’ (e.g., the blade of grass). This means you need to work more on ‘fading the lure.’ Start making the lure less and less obvious. Reward bigger for sneezes that happen with a smaller lure, until the verbal cue is all you need.
- Their ‘sneeze’ is barely noticeable. This is where shaping comes in handy. Only reward the bigger, more dramatic sneezes. When your dog offers a tiny nose wrinkle, simply wait. They might try a bigger one to see if that works. When they do, reward them with lots of treats and praise! You are selectively rewarding the best version of the trick.
More Than a Party Trick: The Real Benefits of Training
Teaching your dog to fake a sneeze is undeniably fun, but the benefits run much deeper than just getting a laugh from your friends. Every time you engage in a positive training session, you’re doing so much more for your dog’s well-being.
- Mental Stimulation: Learning new behaviors and figuring out puzzles (like ‘how do I get that treat?’) is like a workout for your dog’s brain. It helps prevent boredom, which can often lead to destructive behaviors like chewing or excessive barking.
- Confidence Building: For shy or anxious dogs, mastering a new skill can be a huge confidence booster. Successfully communicating with you and earning praise helps them feel more secure and capable in their environment.
- Strengthening Your Bond: Training is a two-way conversation. It teaches you to better understand your dog’s body language and learning style, and it teaches your dog to look to you for guidance. This shared experience, built on trust and positive reinforcement, deepens the bond between you.
- Improving General Obedience: The skills learned during trick training—like focus, patience, and responding to cues—translate directly to everyday obedience. A dog who loves to train is a dog who is more likely to listen in other situations, too.
So while you’re celebrating that first successful ‘Achoo!’, remember that you’re also building a smarter, more confident, and happier companion who trusts you completely.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have all the tools and techniques you need to teach your dog the delightful and amusing fake sneeze trick. Whether you choose the patient path of capturing or the more hands-on approach of luring, the most important thing is to enjoy the process. Every little nose wrinkle and every successful ‘achoo’ is a testament to the amazing connection you share with your canine companion.
Remember to be patient, keep it positive, and celebrate every small step forward. Before you know it, you’ll have a hilarious new trick to show off that not only highlights your dog’s intelligence but also the wonderful partnership you’ve built together. Now go have some fun, and get ready to capture some incredibly cute moments!
