Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Begin training
• Part 2 of 3: Teaching the verbal command
• Part 3 of 3: Polishing the trick
• Tips

Teaching your dog to paw is a fun trick that can impress your friends. In addition, this type of training can teach your dog obedience and strengthen your bond. Your dog needs to know how to sit before you can start training it to paw. Start working with your dog today to teach him this easy command.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Begin training

1. Choose tasty snacks for your dog. You should reward your dog when it paws. Bite-sized treats are good for training because you can give more of these to your dog without feeding him too many extra calories. Also consider what your dog likes and what motivates him: does your dog like soft or hard kibble? Is there a particular taste that your dog responds better to? Find out which rewards work best for your dog and have them ready for training.
   • Make your own kibble. These can be small pieces of cooked meat or even fruits and vegetables.
   • Do not overfeed your dog. Keep the kibble as small as possible.
   • Feed your dog not the following foods because they cause poisoning or illness: avocado, chocolate, bread dough, grapes, raisins, hop cones, ethanol, moldy food, macadamia nuts, xylitol, onions and garlic.
2. Have your dog sit. The only way a dog can give a paw is when it is sitting. If your dog doesn't know the command to sit in front, you will need to teach him to sit first.
   • Don't reward your dog with a treat for this, because you are teaching him to paw, not sit.
3. Show the treat to your dog. You are not going to give your dog the treat just yet. At this point, just hold the treat in your left hand. Show your dog the treat right in front of him. Once you get his attention, close your fist around the treat.
   • Don't let the dog take the treat from you just yet.
   • Hold the treat between your thumb and your palm.
4. Give the command Leg. This is the command you'll use to ask your dog to paw (you can also say something else, like shake, if you want to). Say this while holding the fist with the treat in front of your dog.
5. Say Yes when your dog starts to wiggle. Once your dog realizes that you have a treat in your closed hand, he will try to take it from you. When he makes a movement in the direction of the behavior you want - such as lifting a paw to try to get the treat out of your fist - you say Yes! with great enthusiasm, and you give him the treat.
   • When your dog makes a move in the direction of the behavior you want, immediately reward him with the treat.
   • Ignore any other attempts your dog makes, such as sniffing or nipping at your hand.
   • Be patient.
   • Practice this way a few times until the dog reliably lifts its paw when you say Leg.
6. Reward the dog for giving. Once your dog lifts its paw on command, you will want to move on. You should start rewarding the dog only when he does something closer to your goal of shaking. For example, if your dog lifts his paw higher than before, he will get a Yes! and some treats, but no earlier than that. Continue in this manner until the dog points out its paw.
7. Take your dog's paw in your hand. Only use this additional step if your dog doesn't seem to be clawing at the treat in your hand. By picking up your dog's paw and praising it with it and after it, you are showing your dog that claws to your hand are rewarded.
   • Hold the paw for a few seconds before rewarding it.
   • Be gentle and move slowly.

Part 2 of 3: Teaching the verbal command

1. Introduce a verbal command. Once your dog consistently claws for the treat in your closed hand, you can begin to introduce your preferred verbal command. Wait for your dog to claw at your hand, then give the command while giving him the treat.
   • Your command can be any word, but "Shake" or "Paw" are the most commonly used.
   • Say your command clearly and loudly enough for your dog to hear.
   • Give your command the exact moment your dog claws at your hand.
   • Once you have chosen a command, you should not change it as this will confuse your dog.
   • Keep any command short. Usually, word commands will be best.
2. Start using your command beforehand. After you start using your verbal command when your dog claws at your hand, it's time to say it before clawing.As you move the hand with the treat towards the dog, you say your command.
   • This step will help him realize that the verbal command is now the cue to lift his paw before pawing.
   • Ideally, your dog will raise its paw as soon as you say your command.
   • You only reward him after he has shaken with the treats and compliments.
   • If your dog doesn't raise its paw on command, try again until it does. If he still doesn't work after about 15 minutes, stop and try again later. You don't want to frustrate your dog.
3. Only reward your dog when he takes the command. Rewarding your dog for different behavior will only confuse him. Never reward him unless he has successfully completed the command or he may start viewing your rewards as a bribe.
   • Avoid improper rewarding by always getting your dog's full attention before training.
   • Don't get frustrated or give your dog the treat if he doesn't perform the “paw” command as you requested. Giving up in this way will send the message that if he sits and ignores you, he will be rewarded.
   • Realize that your dog is always paying attention. Any reward given to him will likely be associated with what he was doing at the time.
   • Your dog wants to earn rewards. Once he understands the connection that a behavior gets him a treat, he will be willing to act that way. This applies to both good and bad behavior. Be aware of this when you reward your dog.

Part 3 of 3: Polishing the trick

1. Start using less treats. Eventually, you will have to stop giving treats for this behavior. Do this gradually by only giving a treat every second time he executes the “paw” command. Replace the treat with praise or other rewards such as a walk or playtime.
   • Keep practicing until you are sure he will “paw” with no reward.
   • When you start this step, you can offer an empty hand, without a treat.
2. Make it more challenging. Once you notice that your dog has mastered the “paw” command, you can add challenges. Wait for a situation that normally disturbs your dog, such as a visit to a crowded place or someone ringing the bell, then give the command.
   • The more situations you use to practice, the better your dog will be able to perform this command.
3. Try to paw with the other hand. Follow the same sequence of training as with the first hand. The big difference will be that you hold the treat in your other hand, and only reward it when your dog shakes the desired paw.
   • Try using a different command word. If you used "Shake", try using "Paw" for the other hand.

Tips

• Consistency is the keyword. Always be consistent about what behaviors you reward and when you reward your dog.
• Be positive and happy with your dog. Praise him often.
• Don't get angry if your dog doesn't immediately follow the command. Be patient.
• Make sure to give the treat with the other hand, not the one you're shaking with.
• Be strict but fair. All you need is patience and consistency. Also, make sure you don't always reward your dog for listening. Sometimes you just want him to do the commands, not always for treats.