Many people have asked me how I taught my Rottweiler to skateboard. I’ll try to put it in words for you.

Although my dog Blitz already had a strong foundation in clicker training, I didn’t teach this exercise entirely shaped by the clicker. I used hand gestures toward the board, and put words and commands with it. I used the clicker as a marker: “Yes, you did it!” My dog also knows the word “yes” as a marker for when I don’t have a clicker handy.

First, introduce the dog to the skateboard. Let her see it and sniff it. With any forward movement toward the board, or touching of the board, click/treat. Then ask for paw touches of the board; again click/treat. Then, when the dog is completely comfortable with this, ask her to put her paws on the skateboard and hold that position. Do this at first on a surface where the board will not move, such as carpet or grass. I use “paws up” as the command for this behavior. It’s important that this is done in a very controlled way, so the skateboard does not flip up and hit the dog. I ask for “paws up” on the middle of the board to prevent that.

Once the dog has “paws up” mastered, attach a leash or line to the front wheels of the board. You will likely need a second person for the next step. One person will control the dog, and the other will control the skateboard. Have the dog on a very short leash or hold her by the collar, and slowly start to pull the skateboard forward using the attached leash/line. The person in control of the dog will support the dog in forward movement along with the board. Eventually the dog will learn how to propel the board forward using her rear legs. Be patient, as this is not a natural movement for a dog. Then, take the line off the skateboard, and let the dog experiment with propelling the board without help, still on a fairly stable surface such as indoor/outdoor carpet. When the dog is comfortable with that, you’re ready to go on the road! Sidewalks, parks: you will find lots of places for your dog to show off her new skill! Be sure to watch for traffic. YOU are responsible for your dog’s safety!

The other question I’m sure some of you are wondering is WHY did I teach my dog to skateboard? Let’s see: any training is relationship building, it’s good exercise (great core strengthening!), it’s fun (I’m sure my dog thinks she’s chased something and caught it), it provides entertainment for friends, family and passers-by, and it’s great PR for the breed. My dog loves it, and it makes me as well as other people SMILE!