Bob's Trick Tips - skateboard trick archive -- Walk the Dog

Walk the Dog

Walk the Dog is perhaps the most basic of all freestyle tricks. This trick is used to tie other moves together, and forms the core of many footwork lines. When done by the experienced dog-walker, it looks easy. However, beginners quickly learn that Walk the Dog takes practice if you want to do it fast and smooth.

The trick is a series of 180 degree pivots, executed off the front of the board. Unlike endovers, your body remains facing the same way throughout this trick.

1) Start in your normal riding position. Then move your front foot to the middle of the board, with the foot facing straight up the deck.

2) Now, take the foot on the tail and move it up to the nose, keeping your other foot in the middle of the board.

3) Now, use the foot in front to push down, and swing the board around 180 degrees. Keep an eye on my foot in the middle of the board. Notice that it stays in the center of the board, pointing more or less forward.

4) As I complete the pivot, my feet are in the same position they started in. I step forward again with the rear foot, and repeat the move several times. This is Walk the Dog.

5) A Couple of tips: Don't try to do this too fast while you're learning. You don't have to do it as fast as Rodney. If you learn to do it smoothly, the smoothness will create the illusion of speed. It will also just look better overall. Always learn to do your footwork SMOOTHLY. Speed is no good if you look like a spaz. Second Tip -- Use a light touch. You don't have to stomp down on the nose when doing this move. You don't even have to raise the board very much. Just swing it around with a light touch. This will make it nice and smooth.

Good Luck!