Shake

The classic heart-melting trick. Easy, quick to learn, and a perfect first “party piece” for any dog.

🐾🐾 · ~4 days · 5 min/session

Learn first: Sit

Step-by-step

1. Hide a treat in your fist

   Ask your dog to sit and hold a treat in a closed fist at their chest height. Let them sniff and lick your hand. Wait patiently — the goal is for them to try their paw on their own.

2. Reward the paw touch

   When sniffing doesn’t work, most dogs will paw at your hand. The moment they do, say “Yes!”, open your fist and give the treat. Repeat until the paw comes fast and confidently.

   💡 If your dog never tries a paw, tickle the hair behind their front leg lightly or hold your fist lower.

3. Catch the paw gently

   Start offering an open palm and gently catch the paw as it lands. Hold it for just a second, reward and let go. Don’t squeeze or lift the paw high — it’s uncomfortable for the dog.

4. Add the cue

   Say “Shake” right before extending your palm. Within a few sessions the dog will lift their paw at the words and the offered hand. Reward every success with a treat and enthusiasm.

5. Polish and extend

   Practise with both paws, giving the second one its own cue — like “Other one”. Have other people ask for the trick too, so the dog generalises it. From here “high five” is easy — just turn your palm vertical.

   💡 Paw tricks are useful too: a dog used to having paws handled copes far better with nail trims.

Common mistakes

• Grabbing and lifting the paw yourself — the dog needs to offer it on their own.
• Squeezing the paw — paws are sensitive and discomfort kills the trick.
• Rewarding frantic double-paw scratching — mark only the single, calm movement.

Problems & solutions

My dog only licks and nibbles my hand, no paw ever comes.

Hold your fist lower, almost at the floor, and wait longer — patience usually wins. Tilting your fist sideways also invites a paw more than licking.

They now paw at me constantly without being asked.

A classic — pawing has become a winning strategy. Only reward after the cue and completely ignore unsolicited paws, no eye contact, no words.

Reward ideas

Small crunchy or soft treats and cheerful praise. This trick loves an audience — applause counts as a reward too.