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Step 1
Use your patience. Your dog is eager for your leadership and direction. Teaching your dog how to do a trick will require a lot of patience from you. If your dog gets frustrated take a 10 minute break and try again. I will use the trick *shake* as my example trick, but this will work with any trick you want to teach your dog.
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Step 2
Use your dog's favorite treats. Have your dog sit. Let the dog know you have the treat in the other hand but there is no free hand outs in this game.
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Step 3
Use a repetition command. Use the word shake or whatever you choose but make sure you use the same command over and over again. Do not deviate from this command word. Deviation will confuse your buddy greatly.
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Step 4
Succeeding in your teaching. Your dog is sitting in front of you. Put out your hand and say your command (shake). At first your dog will most likely blankly stare at you and wonder what the heck you want. Stick by your guns and repeat shake over and over and over again with your hand outstretched. If your dog does put up the paw towards you, reward with a treat. This is not a direct hit yet, but the learning process has begun. Now the dog has an idea of what you're looking for. Some dogs will have to be coaxed if they will not put up the paw after numerous attempts. Grab the paw and repeat saying the shake command over and over again. Start again without grabbing the paw and repeat the shake command. Keep rewarding near hits, and once you get the direct hit shower your dog with treats.
