Anyone got any ideas on a possible bonus to Handle Animal checks with the Speak with Animals spells? Im sure you'd be better able to convey your message. What about a Druid able to Wildshape into an animal-type to actually show the animal the trick or actions performed?
They all sound reasonable. I'd certainly give the player a bonus to success chance if he/she used any of those methods. Either that, or I'd shorten the time it takes to train the animal. I would make the player use the methods more than just once. Animals aren't smart enough to learn a trick after just one explaination/demonstration.
"Over the Mountains Of the Moon Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly ride," The shade replied, "If you seek for Eldorado!"
Animals, just like people, vary considerably in intelligence. Some animals are rather brilliant, others are just dumb as dirt. Domestic animals (and comfortable people) tend to be much less intelligent than those who require daily wits to survive.