Apartment Living: 10 Fun Dog Tricks You Can Do in Small Spaces

The ‘Spin’ is a classic for a reason! It’s adorable, easy to teach, and requires only enough space for your dog to turn in a circle. It’s a perfect warm-up trick to get your dog’s brain and body engaged for a training session.

What You’ll Need

• High-value treats (small, tasty morsels your dog loves)
• A clicker (optional, but helpful for marking the behavior)
• An enthusiastic attitude!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Lure the Turn: Start with your dog in a standing position. Hold a treat near their nose. Slowly move the treat in a circle towards their tail, encouraging them to follow it. The goal is to get them to turn their head and then their body to follow the treat.
2. Mark and Reward: The moment your dog completes a full circle, click your clicker (if using) or say your marker word (like “Yes!”) and immediately give them the treat. Enthusiasm is key—praise them lavishly!
3. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Practice this luring motion several times in a row, always rewarding a full spin. Keep sessions short and fun, just a few minutes at a time.
4. Introduce the Cue: Once your dog is reliably following the lure into a spin, you can add a verbal cue. Just before you start the luring motion, say “Spin!” (or “Twirl!”). After a few repetitions, they’ll start to associate the word with the action.
5. Fade the Lure: Gradually make your hand signal smaller and smaller. Instead of a full circle with the treat, make a small circular motion with your finger. Eventually, your dog should be able to spin with just the verbal cue or the small hand signal.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog just moves their head: Your treat might be too high. Try holding it lower and closer to their shoulder to encourage their body to follow.
• They get dizzy: Don’t overdo it! A few spins in a row are plenty. You can also teach them to spin in the opposite direction with a different cue, like “Twirl.”
• They lose interest: Make sure your treats are exciting enough! This is a time for the good stuff, not their regular kibble. Keep sessions short to hold their attention.

This game is a fantastic way to tap into your dog’s natural sniffing abilities. It requires zero space for running and is incredibly mentally taxing (in a good way!). It’s the perfect game for a rainy day to tire out your pup without leaving the apartment.

What You’ll Need

• Smelly, high-value treats
• Your dog on a leash or in a separate room to start

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start Super Easy: Have your dog sit and stay. Let them watch you place a treat on the floor a few feet away. Release them with a cheerful “Find it!” and let them gobble up the treat. Praise them excitedly when they do. Repeat this 3-4 times.
2. Increase the Difficulty (Slightly): Now, toss the treat a few feet away while they’re watching. Again, say “Find it!” and praise them when they find it. This teaches them that the cue means ‘go search for the yummy thing’.
3. Introduce a Blind Find: Have your dog wait in another room or have someone gently hold them. While they can’t see, place a treat somewhere obvious in the room—next to a chair leg, for example. Bring your dog back in and give the “Find it!” cue. Let them use their nose! This is where the magic happens.
4. Level Up: As your dog gets better, start hiding treats in slightly trickier spots. Tuck one under the edge of a rug, behind a pillow, or on a low shelf (if safe). Always start easy and gradually increase the difficulty to build their confidence.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog gives up easily: You’ve made it too hard too fast. Go back to a step where they were successful and build up more slowly. Your job is to be their cheerleader and ensure they win the game.
• They use their eyes, not their nose: This is normal at first. Hiding the treat when they aren’t looking (the ‘blind find’) is what forces them to switch on their powerful sense of smell.
• Use very smelly treats: Dried liver, cheese, or pieces of hot dog work much better than dry biscuits for this game.

This is a DIY puzzle toy that provides incredible mental enrichment. It encourages your dog to problem-solve and is perfect for dogs that get bored easily. It’s a quiet, stationary activity that can keep them occupied for a good while.

What You’ll Need

• A standard muffin tin (6 or 12 cups)
• Treats or a portion of their kibble
• Tennis balls or other dog-safe toys that fit over the muffin cups

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Introduction: Show your dog the muffin tin. Drop a treat into one of the cups while they are watching and let them eat it. Do this a few times so they understand that the tin is a source of good things.
2. Add a Cover: Place a treat in one cup and cover it with a tennis ball. Let your dog investigate. They will likely nudge or paw at the ball to get to the treat. Praise them enthusiastically the moment they move the ball and get their reward!
3. Fill It Up: Once they understand the concept, you can fill multiple muffin cups with treats and cover them all with balls or toys. Give them the tin and let them work on solving the puzzle.

Expert Tip: For dogs new to puzzle toys, start with only one or two cups covered. This helps build their confidence and prevents them from getting frustrated and giving up.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog is trying to chew the tin: This game should always be supervised. If they start chewing the tin itself, calmly take it away for a moment and then represent it, encouraging them to interact with the balls instead.
• They’re scared of the noise: If your dog is sound-sensitive, place the muffin tin on a rug or mat to dampen the noise of the balls being knocked around.
• It’s too easy for my genius dog: You can increase the difficulty by using different types of toys to cover the holes, or by tucking a piece of fabric into the cup on top of the treat, forcing them to pull it out.

This trick is not only adorable, but it’s also genuinely helpful! Teaching your dog to clean up after themselves is a fun way to end a play session and it impresses everyone who sees it. It combines the skills of ‘take it’, ‘hold’, and ‘drop it’ into one useful behavior.

What You’ll Need

• A few of your dog’s favorite toys
• A toy basket or box with low sides
• High-value treats

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Shape the ‘Drop’: First, make the toy box the best place on earth. Stand over the box and encourage your dog to come near it. Any time they are near the box, drop treats inside it. They will quickly learn that good things happen in and around the box.
2. Encourage Dropping in the Box: Give your dog a toy. Lure them over to the toy box. Hold a super high-value treat over the box. To take the treat, your dog will have to drop the toy they are holding. Try to time it so the toy drops into the box. The second it does, praise like crazy and give them the treat!
3. Add the Cue: Once your dog is reliably dropping the toy in the basket to get the treat, you can add the cue. As they are heading to the box with a toy, say “Put it away!” or “Tidy up!”
4. Generalize the Behavior: Start placing the toys a little further from the box. Encourage your dog to pick up a toy, walk it over to the box, and drop it in for their reward. This takes time and patience!

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog won’t drop the toy: Use a better treat! This is called ‘trading up’. The treat you’re offering has to be more valuable to them than the toy they are holding.
• They drop it next to the box, not in it: That’s okay! At first, reward any effort that’s close. You can use a smaller box lid or a specific mat to teach them a more precise ‘drop zone’ before transitioning to the full box.

Teaching your dog to crawl is a great low-impact trick that builds body awareness and core strength. It looks impressive but doesn’t require any running or jumping, making it an ideal choice for small living rooms and dogs of all ages.

What You’ll Need

• High-value treats
• A clear, carpeted space for comfort

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start with a ‘Down’: Ask your dog to lie down. This is the starting position for the crawl.
2. Lure the Forward Movement: With your dog in a down position, place a treat on the floor just in front of their nose, but slightly out of reach. They should have to stretch their neck to get it. As they do, say “Yes!” and let them have it.
3. Encourage a Paw-Slide: Now, place the treat a tiny bit further away. To reach it, they will likely have to shift their weight and slide a paw forward. The moment you see that forward slide, mark it with a “Yes!” and give them the treat. This is the key part of the behavior you want to capture.
4. Keep the Lure Low: Hold another treat in your hand, keeping your hand very low to the ground. Slowly drag it forward along the floor. Your dog should start to creep or slide forward to follow it. Only reward them if they stay in the down position (no popping up!).
5. Add the Cue: Once they are moving a foot or two by following the lure, you can add your verbal cue, like “Crawl!” or “Creep!” Say the cue right before you start luring them forward.
6. Practice and Extend: With practice, you can get them to crawl for longer distances before giving the reward.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog keeps standing up: You’re likely holding the treat too high, or you’re trying to get them to crawl too far, too soon. Keep the lure low and reward just a tiny shuffle forward to start. You can also practice under a coffee table or your leg to physically prevent them from standing.
• They aren’t moving at all: Go back a step. Reward them just for stretching their neck, then for a slight weight shift. Break the behavior down into the tiniest possible pieces.

This is an incredibly endearing and simple trick where your dog covers their eyes with a paw. It’s a stationary behavior that’s guaranteed to get a smile from anyone who sees it, and it’s built on a natural motion your dog already does.

What You’ll Need

• Post-it note or a piece of medical tape (with most of the stickiness removed)
• High-value treats
• A clicker (highly recommended for this trick)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Capture the Motion: The goal is to get your dog to touch their face with their paw. Lightly stick the Post-it note or tape on your dog’s head, right above their eyes. Their natural instinct will be to lift a paw to brush it off.
2. Mark and Reward: The instant their paw makes contact with their head to remove the note, click and treat! Timing is critical here. You are marking the ‘paw to head’ motion. Remove the note and repeat several times.
3. Introduce the Cue: Once they are reliably pawing at their head to remove the note, you can add the cue. Right before you place the note, say “Peek-a-boo!” or “Shy!”
4. Fade the Prop: Now, pretend to put the note on their head but don’t actually leave it there. Give the cue and see if they offer the pawing motion. If they do, big reward! If not, go back to using the note for a few more reps. Gradually, you’ll fade the note completely, and they will perform the trick on the verbal cue alone.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog is shaking their head instead of using a paw: That’s okay! Just wait. Don’t reward the head shake. Wait for them to try a paw. If they never do, try placing the sticky note on the side of their muzzle instead to see if that elicits a paw swipe.
• The tape is too sticky: Make sure to press the tape against your clothes a few times to remove most of the adhesive. It should be just sticky enough to cling, not to pull any fur.

You don’t need a full agility course to practice weaving! You can become the obstacle course yourself. This trick is great for building your dog’s coordination and focus, and it strengthens their ability to follow your body language.

What You’ll Need

• High-value treats
• Enough space for you to stand with your legs apart

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Form the Tunnel: Stand with your feet spread comfortably apart, creating a ‘tunnel’ with your legs.
2. Lure Through: With a treat in your hand, lure your dog to walk through your legs. As they pass through, give them the treat. Repeat this a few times, luring from front to back and back to front.
3. Create the ‘Weave’: Stand in the same position. Lure your dog through your legs from front to back. As they come out the back, switch the treat to your other hand and lure them around the outside of your leg to the front again.
4. Complete the Figure-8: Now lure them through your legs again to complete a ‘figure-8’ pattern. Reward them after one full figure-8.
5. Add the Cue and Fade the Lure: Once your dog understands the pattern, you can start saying “Weave!” as you begin the motion. Gradually, you can make your hand lure less obvious, using just a point of your finger until they can complete the weave with just the verbal cue and your legs as the guide.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog is too big/I’m too short: You can do this from a seated position on the floor! Sit with one leg bent up, creating a tunnel. Lure them through that tunnel, then switch legs.
• My dog just stands there: Use a very exciting treat and be animated! Make it a fun game. You can start by just tossing the treat through your legs for them to get, so they get comfortable with the ‘tunnel’.

This is a sweet trick that teaches your dog to offer an affectionate gesture gently. It’s a great way to work on impulse control and teach them how to interact calmly and politely. It’s all about targeting, not actual licking (unless you want that!).

What You’ll Need

• A target (like a Post-it note)
• Small, easy-to-eat treats

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Target Training: Stick the Post-it note on your hand. The moment your dog’s nose touches the note, say “Yes!” and give them a treat from your other hand. Practice this until your dog is booping the note with enthusiasm.
2. Transfer the Target: Now, stick the Post-it note on your cheek. Lean towards your dog. The moment their nose touches the note on your cheek, “Yes!” and treat. Repeat this until it’s a reliable behavior.
3. Add the Cue: Just before you lean in, say your cue, such as “Gimme a kiss!” or “Besito!”
4. Remove the Target: Once they have the idea, remove the Post-it note. Give the cue and lean in. They should now target your cheek directly. Reward this with lots of praise and a jackpot of treats!

Safety First: Only teach this trick if you are completely comfortable with your dog’s face being close to yours. Always supervise interactions between dogs and children, even with a trained trick like this.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog is trying to lick or nip me: You’re rewarding too late. Mark and reward for a simple nose touch only. If they are mouthy, present your cheek for only a split second to encourage a quick, closed-mouth boop.
• They won’t touch the target on my face: Go back to the hand. Make the hand target game super fun and rewarding again before trying to transfer it to your cheek. You can also try putting a tiny dab of cream cheese on the Post-it note to make it more appealing.

Teaching your dog to ‘bow’ is a wonderful trick that mimics a natural behavior they do when they want to play (the play bow). It’s a great stretch for them and a polite-looking way to say hello or finish a trick routine.

What You’ll Need

• High-value treats
• A non-slip surface

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Capture the Stretch: The easiest way to teach a bow is to capture the stretch your dog naturally does after a nap. Keep treats handy, and when you see them stretch into a bow position (front end down, back end up), say “Yes!” and toss them a treat.
2. Lure the Position: If capturing isn’t working, start with your dog in a standing position. Hold a treat near their nose and slowly lower it down between their front paws.
3. Mark the Bow: As they follow the treat, their elbows will bend and their front end will lower while their back end stays up. The moment they hit this position, say “Yes!” and give them the treat.
4. Avoid the ‘Down’: The key is to reward them before their back end also goes down into a full ‘down’ position. The timing might take a little practice.
5. Add the Cue: Once they are reliably following the lure into a bow, you can start saying “Take a bow!” right before you lower the treat. With repetition, they’ll associate the phrase with the action.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog just lies down every time: You’re holding the lure for too long. Mark and reward the split second they are in the bow position. Keep the sessions short and end on a successful bow to build momentum.
• Their back end keeps dropping: Try luring the treat slightly forward as you lure it down. This can help keep their rear end in the air.

This is another fantastic nose work game that requires very little space but a lot of brainpower. You’re teaching your dog to find a hidden treat under one of several cups, which hones their focus and sense of smell.

What You’ll Need

• Three identical, lightweight plastic cups or containers
• A very smelly treat

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Introduce the Game: Start with just one cup. Place a treat on the floor and cover it with the cup while your dog watches. Encourage them to investigate. The moment they touch the cup with their nose or paw, lift the cup and let them have the treat. Praise them!
2. Add a Second Cup: Now place two cups on the floor. Let your dog watch you place a treat under one of them. Give the cue “Find it!” If they nudge the correct cup, lift it and reward. If they nudge the wrong one, don’t say anything; just show them the empty cup, then show them where the treat was and let them have it. The reward only comes from choosing the right cup.
3. Introduce the Shuffle: Place the treat under one of two cups. Slowly slide the cups around to swap their positions once. Give the cue. This is where they have to switch from using their eyes to using their nose.
4. Level Up to Three Cups: Once they are a pro with two cups, add the third and start doing more complex shuffles. Your dog will amaze you with their ability to track the scent!

Troubleshooting & Tips

• My dog just knocks all the cups over: Use heavier cups, or hold them down lightly with your hands. Reward only for a gentle nose nudge or a single paw touch, not for frantic pawing.
• They always guess wrong: Make it easier. Go back to a very slow, simple shuffle, or even no shuffle at all. Make sure your treat is smelly enough for them to easily track.