This is a fun and easy trick to teach your dog from the AKC GoodDog! Helpline team.
Have your dog sit by your side (either left or right side) and hold a treat in the hand next to the dog.
Place your treat hand on the side of your dog’s face and move your hand away (to the left when your dog is on your left side and to the right when your dog is on your right side).
Treat and praise your dog when they move their head in the direction that your hand is moving. Repeat on the opposite side.
When your dog is consistently following the treat, add verbal cues: “Look Left” and “Look Right.”
Reduce your hand motion and cut down on the treat lure in your hand until your dog is performing the trick on only the verbal cue. Then you can take the trick on the road and practice in more distracting environments. You might need to increase the treat rewards again when you add more distractions.
But it won’t be long until you can impress the neighbors that your dog knows his right and left!