Trick or Treat? Our Dogs Will Have Both

  • Ruffwear
  • •

This time of year, we’ve got tricks and treats on the mind. And who better than our tail-wagging friends to show off the tricks they do for their favorite treats? One sniff of cheese, and suddenly our dogs have all kinds of superpowers – the puppy eyes, the speedy spin. When the Ruffwear Pack busts out the Treat Trader™, here’s what our dogs do.

Natalie & Lola (AKA Lolabeanz) 

Lola, an australian shepherd mix, offers her poor and a sweet side eye in exchange for a treat.

Trick: Paw... other paw 

It may be the original trick for a treat, but Lola is very confident at it and regularly offers complete strangers enjoying their own food a paw for a little nibble (often unsuccessfully).

Treat they go bonkers for: Apple slices

Kate & Millie (AKA Boo Boo Bear)

Trick: Sit ... Down ... Roll Over!

It's a common trick, but Millie sure is good at it! (Let's be honest, it's the only trick in her repertoire.) I tell Millie to sit, then go into a down, and finally say "Roll over!" and she excitedly rolls (always to her right; never left!) then makes her way to me for her reward!

Treat they go bonkers for: Chicken

Kellie & Luna (aka Tuna)

A dog does the "give me a hug" trick with his human companion on their backyard deck.

Trick: “Give me a hug”

Who doesn’t love a good hug?! Luna jumps and puts her arms around my shoulders.

Treat they go bonkers for: Cheese

Cristina & Lennon (aka The Soup)

dog jumping up in front of mountains

Trick: “Back up”

It's a "Lennon original" that she invented herself. It's kind of like a reverse pounce. She jumps up in the air and backwards and lands in a playful bow. If she's really amped, she lets out a little woof, too. It's very goofy.

Treat they go bonkers for: Cheeeeeeese

Andy & Bodie and Wendell

Trick: “Turn around”

They do a synchronized dance. Look for them on the next season of Dancing with the Stars.

Treat they go bonkers for: Carrots

Jill & Woody

A Bernese Mountain Dog sits on a woman's lap in their living room.

Trick: “Sit on lap”

Woody will come and sit on my lap wherever I am, even if the chair rocks (literally).

Treat they go bonkers for: Hot dogs!

Erin & Odin (aka The Odester)

A dog does a "both paws up" trick.

Trick: “Paws Up”

This started out as one paw to do a shake, but Odin became so enthusiastic (and eager for treats), that he decided to create his own double-paw variation. He adds in some puppy eyes for the full effect!

Treat they go bonkers for: Sliced turkey

More Treats, Please!

Hungry for more treat ideas? Here are other blog posts our dogs drool over: Trick or Treat™ Trader: Dog Treat Recipes, Games, & Ideas and Bone Appétit: DIY Dog Treat Recipes to Make at Home.

Further Reading