Get ready to impress your friends and family with your talented dog! In this article, “Learn How to Teach Your Dog Tricks like ‘Shake A Paw’,” you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to train your four-legged friend to perform the adorable trick of shaking hands with you. With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to learn some Tricks for Treats and have the opportunity to win some amazing prizes. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dog trainer, this article has all the information you need to teach your dog new tricks and have a fun-filled time together. So grab some treats and let’s get started!

Start with basic ‘Paw’

Teaching your dog basic tricks can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. One of the easiest tricks to start with is the ‘Paw’ trick, where your dog lifts their paw and holds it out to you. Here’s how you can teach your dog the ‘Paw’ trick:

Sit beside your dog

Sit on the floor or on a bench beside your dog. This will make it easier for you to interact with them and guide them through the trick.

Put treats within reach

Take a handful of treats and place them within your reach, but out of your dog’s reach. This way, you can easily reward them when they succeed in performing the trick.

Ask your dog to sit

Ask your dog to sit facing you. If your dog is not familiar with the basic ‘sit’ command, you can start by teaching them this command first.

Close your fist over the treat

Hold one treat in your hand and show it to your dog. Then, close your fist over the treat to hide it from their view. This will make them curious and eager to get the treat.

Hold the treat close to his foot

Hold your closed fist, with the treat inside, close to your dog’s foot. Make sure it’s about 5cm off the ground, so it’s within their reach.

Raise the hand if your dog stands up

If your dog stands up and starts sniffing and nuzzling your hand, you can raise your hand and ask them to sit again. This will reinforce the ‘sit’ command and help them understand that they need to remain seated for the trick.

Reward your dog when he lifts his paw

If your dog lifts his paw even a little while sitting, use a marker word like ‘yes’ or a clicker to let them know that they have done what you wanted. Then, give them the treat and praise them with words like ‘good boy’ or ‘good girl’.

Name the action ‘Paw’

Once your dog starts consistently lifting their paw when you hold the treat close to their foot, you can start naming the action. Use the word ‘Paw’ when they perform the trick and reward them with a treat and praise.

Reward your dog when he offers paw towards your empty hand

To further reinforce the trick, put a treat in your left hand and reward your dog when he offers his paw towards your empty right hand. This will teach them to offer their paw even when there is no treat visible.

Shake a Paw and Hi 5

Once your dog is comfortable with the basic ‘Paw’ trick, you can introduce more advanced variations like ‘Shake a Paw’ and ‘Hi 5’. These tricks involve your dog lifting their paw and offering it to you for a handshake. Here’s how you can teach these tricks:

Ask your dog to sit

Start by asking your dog to sit in front of you. This will provide a good starting point for the trick.

Hold a treat in your left hand

Hold a treat in your left hand and show it to your dog. This will grab their attention and make them eager to perform the trick.

Hold out your right hand low and flat

Hold out your right hand, palm facing up, low and flat towards your dog’s right paw. Make sure your hand is within their reach so they can easily lift their paw and place it in your hand.

Say ‘Paw’

As you hold out your right hand, say the word ‘Paw’ to cue your dog to lift their paw and place it in your hand. You can use a command word like ‘Shake’ or ‘Hi 5’ and associate it with the action of lifting their paw.

Reward your dog if he lifts his foot

If your dog lifts their foot and places it in your hand, reward them with the treat and praise them. Make sure to provide positive reinforcement when they perform the desired action.

Add the word ‘Shake’

Once your dog consistently lifts their paw and places it in your hand, you can add the word ‘Shake’ to the trick. Say ‘Shake’ as you hold out your hand, and reward your dog when they lift their paw and place it in your hand.

Reduce treats once your dog knows the trick

As your dog becomes more proficient in the ‘Shake a Paw’ and ‘Hi 5’ tricks, you can start reducing the number of treats you give them. Gradually transition to verbal praise and physical affection as the main rewards for performing the trick.

Other Cute and Cool ‘Paw’ or ‘Touch’ Tricks and Behaviors

Once your dog has mastered the ‘Paw’ trick and its variations, you can explore other fun tricks and behaviors that involve using their paws. Here are some examples:

Use ‘Paw’ to close cupboards

You can teach your dog to use their paw to close cupboards. This can be helpful if you have Halloween candy or other items that your dog shouldn’t have access to. Simply cue your dog to lift their paw and touch the cupboard door to close it.

Use ‘Paw’ to put on costumes

If your dog enjoys wearing costumes, you can teach them to use their paw to help you put on their costume. Hold out the costume piece and ask your dog to touch it with their paw. Reward them when they do so, and gradually guide their paw to help them place it in the costume.

Use ‘Paw’ to make a Mummy costume

Get creative with your dog’s Halloween costume by teaching them to use their paw to wrap themselves in toilet paper. This trick can be a fun and adorable addition to their Halloween attire. Be careful not to wrap them too tightly and always supervise them during this activity.

Use ‘Paw’ to pose for photos

Teach your dog to use their paw to strike a pose for photos. You can hold out a prop or a designated spot and ask your dog to touch it with their paw. This will create cute and amusing photo opportunities.

Use ‘Paw’ to push buttons

You can train your dog to use their paw to push buttons, such as doorbells or light switches. This trick can come in handy during Halloween trick-or-treating. Guide your dog’s paw towards the button and reward them when they successfully press it.

Use ‘Paw’ to pretend to look inside appliances

Have some fun with your dog by teaching them to use their paw to pretend to look inside appliances like ovens, washing machines, or dishwashers. This trick can be a great addition to your cooking or cleaning routines.

Use ‘Paw’ to dance

Teach your dog to use their paw as a dance move during playtime or training sessions. You can guide their paw to move in sync with music or your own dance moves. This trick is sure to entertain and impress others.

Use ‘Paw’ to wave

Similar to the dancing trick, you can teach your dog to wave their paw in a greeting gesture. This can be a cute and friendly behavior that your dog can display when meeting new people or saying goodbye.

Use ‘Paw’ to wipe off muddy paws

If you live in an area with rainy or snowy weather, teaching your dog to use their paw to wipe off muddy paws can be a practical trick. Provide a towel or a mat and cue your dog to touch it with their paw to clean off their paws before entering the house.

By teaching your dog these cute and cool ‘Paw’ or ‘Touch’ tricks and behaviors, you can have a lot of fun together while also providing mental stimulation and building a stronger bond with your furry friend.

Visit each pawesome blog for more chances to win

As you continue your journey in teaching your dog tricks, you might be interested in exploring other tricks and behaviors that can be taught. Luckily, there are many blogs out there that offer valuable information and resources on dog training. Here are some pawesome blogs you can visit for more chances to win in their giveaways:

• Learn to Calmly Ride in Elevators by Beagles & Bargain
• Learn to Not Freak Out When a Doorbell Rings by A Dog Walks into a Bar
• Learn to Ring a Bell by ChiPets
• Learn to be “Sassy” by Dog Mom Days
• Learn Whistle Recall by Fetch for Me, Human
• Learn “Beg”, “Which Hand”, and Indoor Exercise Trick Sets by Fidose of Reality
• Learn to Stand on Your Hind Legs by Heart Like A Dog
• Learn to Kiss by It’s Dog or Nothing
• Learn to Touch by Life With Beagle
• Learn to Pick It Up or Take It by My Dog Likes
• Learn to Crawl Through a Tight Tunnel by My GBGV Life
• Learn to Shake Paws (for Dogs Who Don’t Like Their Paws Touched!) by Sarcastic Dog
• Learn Puppy Push Ups by Spencer the Goldendoodle
• Learn Two Dog Tricks by Tails from the Road
• Learn “Paw” and “Shake Paw” by Talent Hounds
• Learn to Cover Your Eyes by Tenacious Little Terrier
• Learn to Jump Through a Hoop by The Broke Dog
• Learn to Spin by The Daily Pip
• Learn to Open Doors by Wag ‘n Woof Pet

Make sure to visit each blog for more chances to win great prizes and to learn new tricks for your furry friend. Enjoy the journey of training your dog and have fun exploring different tricks and behaviors.

Remember, the key to successful dog training is patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Happy training!