Essentially, circus training is more focused on fun, foundational tricks, whereas agility is a faster, more specialized sport. Performing common tricks such as dancing, sitting pretty, rolling over, bowing, waving and jumping through hoops is what circus dog training is all about. It involves props like pedestals, hoops or cones, and relies on rewards to motivate dogs to learn, making it a fun game for them.

Circus dog training is great exercise, improves body awareness, physical strength, and mental simulation while building confidence in shy dogs and providing a necessary outlet for high-energy dogs. It’s recognized by experts to boost mental health and increase shelter dog adoptability by up to 1.5 times, helping dogs showcase their intelligence and friendly, interactive personalities.

While entertaining, circus trained dogs can act as therapy animals that help improve the quality of life for residents in care facilities, bringing joy, companionship, and mental stimulation to elderly residents.

If you’re aiming for complex circus tricks, nothing beats in-person training for hands-on, immediate feedback. For building a foundation, though, you can’t beat a good book—I highly recommend 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance, The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever by Larry Kay and Chris Perondi, or Super Dog Tricks by Sara Carson. Just remember that dog training is unregulated, so always check that your trainer is certified by a respected organization!

Check out this link to teach your dog to spin in under a minute:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsnMyn9SXzE