Cute Trick Alert: Teach Your Dog to Blow Bubbles in Their Water Bowl

Before you can become the director of your dog’s bubble show, you’ll need to gather a few simple props. The good news is you probably have most of these at home already! Setting yourself up for success makes the whole process smoother and more fun for both you and your pup.

Here’s your checklist:

• A Shallow, Wide Water Bowl: A standard deep bowl can be intimidating for this trick. A wider, shallower dish (like a pie pan or a specific dog slow-feeder without complex ridges) makes it easier for your dog to put their snout in and for you to see the action. Clear bowls are a bonus!
• High-Value Treats: We need something extra special to motivate your dog. Think tiny pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, hot dogs, or their absolute favorite store-bought training treats. They should be small enough to be eaten quickly.
• A Clicker (Optional): If you’re familiar with clicker training, this is the perfect time to use it! A clicker helps you mark the *exact* moment your dog does the right thing (in this case, exhaling), making communication crystal clear. If you don’t use a clicker, a consistent marker word like “Yes!” works just as well.
• Patience and a Positive Vibe: This is the most important tool in your kit! Every dog learns at a different pace. Keep it light, fun, and positive. Your dog will feed off your happy energy.

Alright, it’s showtime! Remember to keep your training sessions short and sweet—just 5 to 10 minutes at a time is perfect. This keeps your dog engaged and prevents them from getting frustrated or drinking too much water. Let’s break it down into easy steps.

1. Step 1: Get Comfy with the Bowl. Place the empty, shallow bowl on the floor. The second your dog looks at it or sniffs it, click (or say “Yes!”) and give them a treat. Repeat this a few times until they are happily interacting with the bowl.
2. Step 2: Introduce a Little Water (and a Treat!). Add just a half-inch of water to the bowl. Now, drop one of those irresistible treats right into the center. Your dog’s natural instinct will be to get the treat. The moment their snout touches the water to retrieve it, click and praise them enthusiastically as they eat it. Do this a few times to build their confidence.
3. Step 3: Capture the Exhale. This is the magic step! With water in the bowl, hold a treat with your fingers at the very bottom. Let your dog try to get it. As they push their nose into the water to reach the treat, they will eventually exhale through their nose, either out of effort or slight frustration. The *instant* you see a bubble—even a tiny one—click/mark and give them the treat and lots of praise. The timing here is everything! You are marking the bubble, not just the nose in the water.
4. Step 4: Add the Verbal Cue. Once your dog starts to understand that blowing a bubble gets them the reward, you can add a cue word. Right as you see them lowering their head to blow a bubble, say your chosen word, like “Bubbles!” or “Fizz!” in a happy tone. Then, click/mark and reward as usual. Repetition will link the word to the action.
5. Step 5: Fade the Lure. The final step is to remove the treat from the equation. Ask your dog for the “Bubbles!” cue. When they perform the trick without a treat being in the bowl, give them a ‘jackpot’—a few treats and tons of praise—afterward. You’ve done it!

Sometimes, our training sessions don’t go exactly as planned, and that’s totally okay! Hitting a snag is a normal part of the process. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them with a little patience.

My dog won’t put their nose in the water.

This is a common hurdle, especially for hesitant dogs. The water can feel strange on their snout. Try smearing a tiny bit of xylitol-free peanut butter or cream cheese on the bottom of the bowl. You can also use a ‘floating’ treat that’s more enticing. If they’re still nervous, go back to rewarding them for just touching the dry bowl until they are completely comfortable again.

My dog just paws at the bowl or tries to tip it over.

A playful pup might turn this into a water party! If they start pawing, simply ignore the behavior and briefly take the bowl away. When they are calm, present it again. Only reward them for using their mouth/nose. Using a heavier bowl that’s harder to tip can also help.

They get the treat but don’t blow any bubbles.

This is all about timing. Your dog might be a pro at snatching the treat before they need to exhale. Try holding the treat more firmly at the bottom of the bowl so they have to work at it for a second longer. This extra effort often produces that first accidental bubble you need to capture and reward. Remember, you’re looking for any exhale at all to start with.

Expert Tip: Keep your energy positive and playful. If you get frustrated, your dog will sense it and may become anxious. If a session isn’t working, just end it on a positive note with an easy command they know, like ‘sit,’ and try again later.

While this is a fun and generally safe trick, responsible pet ownership means keeping a few safety precautions in mind. Our goal is happy bubbles, not any kind of discomfort for your best friend.

• Never Force It: This is the golden rule of all dog training. Never, ever push your dog’s head or snout into the water. This can be terrifying for them, break their trust in you, and could cause them to inhale water. All interaction must be their choice.
• Watch for Water Intoxication: While very rare in short training sessions, it’s important to be aware of hyponatremia (water intoxication), which happens when a dog ingests too much water too quickly. This is another reason to keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes max) and to use a shallow amount of water. If your dog is drinking obsessively instead of performing the trick, it’s time to end the session.
• Keep it Clean: Always start with fresh, clean water for each training session to keep things hygienic.
• Know When to Stop: Pay attention to your dog’s body language. If they are turning their head away, licking their lips excessively, yawning, or showing other signs of stress, it’s time to stop. Training should always be a positive experience.