How to Teach a Dog to Shake (give paw)

Mastered the sit? Try this one next.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Time, treats, patience.

1. Get your dog to sit in font of you.
2. Hold a treat in your closed hand. Let the dog sniff it (but not eat it).
3. Pull the treat away a little. The dog should REALLY want this treat. He may poke your closed hand with his nose. He may whimper and whine.
4. When the dog gets so eager for your treat that he puts his paw on your hand, give an auditory reward (something the dog can hear - a clicker or the word "yes", for example). Immediately after the auditory reward, open your hand and let the dog eat the treat.
5. Repeat 1-4 until the dog gives you his paw every time. Then add a verbal command - "Paw" or "Shake" - when you hold your hand out.
   Repeat 1-5 until the dog does it every time.

Tips & Warnings

• When your dog is reliable, vary the treats and change hands.
• Try adding specific commands for each hand - "Left Paw" "Right Paw" or "Paw" "Other Paw".
• Use treats your dog REALLY wants.
• If the dog stands while you're trying for the paw, make him sit again.
• Keep training fun for you and your dog. It shouldn't be work for the dog.