Recently my dog BlackJack and I have gotten involved with our local hospital's pet therapy assist program. Basically, we visit paitents and try to lighten up their day a little. One of the questions I often get is, "Does your dog do any tricks?" Being a magician I just can't let this opportunity pass me by!

I am now trying to think of routines where BlackJack "makes the magic happen". I have one so far, its still in the design stage so any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

My response to their question is "Any old dog can do tricks, BlackJack does magic, he's the worlds first cannine magician!". First I bring out a set of Gozinta Boxes (2 plastic boxes that fit inside each other.). They are seen to be empty as they are nested together and placed on a table. Now I show my hand empty, make it into a fist and say "With just a tap of his paw BlackJack will perform a Miracle". I hold my fist out and the dog ignores me. "I SAID WITH A TAP OF HIS PAW". Now BlackJack lifts his right paw and taps the back of my fist. I open my hand and reveal a sponge bunny! A few rabbit jokes and the rabbit goes back in my fist. "One more tap on the back of the hand..." (Give BlackJack cold stare and he slowly taps with his right paw) "And the rabbit van..." I act like its still there, look at BlackJack and say "Wrong paw" He taps my hand with his left paw and I open to show rabbit is gone. Finally, the Boxes are opened revealing the rabbit inside!

I've been doing it a couple of weeks now. It takes about 3-4 mins. and gets a good reaction.
I just ordered sponge dog bones from Eddie Ace, don't know why but I'm sure something will come up.

You might be able to use Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki's Dog Food cards he developed for use with his "Wonder Dog" puppet routine found in his "Super Hero Magic" book (on my site). The original idea of finding a dog food card from other types of foods (fruits and veggies) comes from David Ginn for use with his Sheep Dog Arm Puppet, but Qua-Fiki took it a step further and made a special card that shows up with a bowl of Dog Food that apparently the dog puppet licks right out of the bowl. You just hold the card containing dog food in front of the puppet (or live dog, in your case) and the dog food in the bowl diminishes each time you show it until you are left with just an empty bowl on the card.

Jilian (aka The Good Gypsy) has trained her dog to do various counting tricks, find a card and other amazing items.