Halloween isn’t just for people, your pup can get in on the spooky fun, too! At Wags & Wiggles, we’re adding a little seasonal magic to our Day School lessons by teaching dogs adorable (and hilarious) Halloween-themed tricks. Not only are these tricks crowd-pleasers, but they also help sharpen your dog’s obedience, focus, and confidence.
The best part? You can also teach them at home! Here’s a step-by-step guide to each spooky cue we'll be offering in Day School this October: 
🎃 Cue: BOO!
Behavior: Dog lays in a box, then pops out.
How to Teach at Home:
- Place a box on the ground and lure your dog inside. It can be helpful to lay the box on its side first, allowing the dog to explore. Reward with more treats when they step in.
- Be sure to put something non-slip inside the box. This will prevent injuries from dog’s slipping when they jump out.
- Ask for a “down” in the box and reward for staying.
- Excite your dog with a cue like “ok” to jump out. Then add the new cue, such as “BOO”, before it and fade out the OK cue.
- Add the lid. This part may be scary for some dogs, so go slow. Keep rewarding the dog for holding the down stay in the box while you put the lid on. Keep the lid cracked and start moving again from the box. Pair it all with the spooky cue “BOO!” once your pup gets the hang of it.
- Then ask a friend to walk by and cue “BOO!”
🍬 Cue: Trick or Treat
Behavior: Dog carries a basket with treats in it to another person.
How to Teach at Home:
1. Teach your dog to “hold” a lightweight toy. Reward short holds.
2. Transition to a small basket with handles.
3. Encourage them to walk a few steps while holding it.
4. Have a second person across the room to “receive” the basket.
5. Add the cue “Trick or Treat!” and celebrate the delivery.
💥 Cue: Bang
Behavior: Dog lays on its side and plays dead.
How to Teach at Home:
1. Start with “down.”
2. Use a treat to lure them gently onto their side. Mark and reward.
3. Build duration through rewarding. Add a release word, like "okay," so they hold the position longer.
4. Add the cue “Bang!” (A finger-gun hand signal makes it extra fun!).
😱 Cue: Are You Scared?
Behavior: Dog covers their nose or face with a paw.
How to Teach at Home:
1. Stick a small piece of tape or a Post-It note on their nose.
2. As they paw at it, mark and reward.
3. Repeat until pawing becomes reliable.
4. Remove the tape, add the cue “Are you scared?” and reward the adorable face-cover.