Polishing The Bow

A finale bow should be held, not flashed. Once your dog dips reliably, stretch the pose: mark a half-second after the chest drops, then a full second, slowly building duration so the bow lasts long enough for an audience to clap.

Then move it off the lure. Fade the treat-in-hand into a small downward point, and add the words "take a bow" as the chest lowers. A bow that needs a treat dangled in front of it isn't a trick yet — it's a bribe.