How to teach a dog to grab paw

Teaching your dogs commands can sound more difficult than it actually is. A simple thing to teach your dog is to grab paw. Here is how to teach this beginner trick to your dog.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. You should first teach your dog how to sit. This will make teaching your dog how to grab paw a much easier process.
2. When your dog is sitting, grab either of his front paws and lift it. When you do this, associate a word or phrase with the action, such as “shake.” Be sure to use the same word or phrase every time that you do this action. It's also important that you say the word or phrase in an assertive tone every time that you grab your dog's paw. You want the action to become a command, such as “sit.”
3. Keep the actions in the same sequence so that your dog learns the commands. An example of this could be to tell your dog to “sit,” then to “shake” and then--once both commands have been followed by your dog--giving him a treat.
4. After you grab your dog's paw and use the command, give your dog a small treat. This will associate the action of grabbing paw with a treat for your dog. Thus, your dog will want to grab paw in order to earn the reward.
5. Be sure to give your dog a positive response once he begins to grab paw after you give the command. Pet your dog on the head and, in a soft and reassuring tone, tell your dog that he is good. You want your dog to never be hesitant or afraid to grab paw.