Things You'll Need:
- A willing dog
- Small treats that will fit easily into your fist
- Patience and Enthusiasm
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Step 1
To begin, sit on the floor facing your dog, who should be sitting as well.
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Step 2
Put a small treat (I use bits of raw carrot) in the palm of your hand and close your hand, making a fist.
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Step 3
Using a clear, enthusiastic voice, give the command. I use "Say Hi!". While giving the command hold your fist containing the treat in front of your dog at about the level of his chest. Loosen your fist a bit so the dog can smell that you have something yummy in there, and invite him to paw at your fist.
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Step 4
As soon as he paws at your fist, immediately open your hand to reveal the treat. Don't forget to lather on the praise!
Repeat this step several times; give the command, hold the treat in your fist before him, wait for his paw to touch your hand, and reward him! Do this until he seems to genuinely understand the correlation between touching your hand and getting a treat. -
Step 5
Now, repeat the same routine only each time, move your fist further and further away from him. Your pup may need a little extra patience here, but stick with it and he'll get it! Give the command, offer your fist just out of his reach, and wait for him to paw at the air between you. When he does this, quickly give him his treat and praise, praise, praise!
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Step 6
Now your dog is confidently pawing the air, or 'waving hello', at your command! Next you can gradually begin to fade your fist out of the routine. You will still reward him with a treat, but now the dog will perform the trick only needing you to present the command.
Well done!
