How To Teach Your Dog The Shake Hands Trick

Photo by Bethany Ferr

Teaching your dog how to shake hands is not only a fun trick, but it can also be a useful behavior that can help you bond with your furry friend. Shaking hands is a basic trick that most dogs can learn, and it can be a great way to impress your friends and family. Here’s how to teach your dog the shake hands trick:

Start with a solid foundation

Before you start teaching your dog how to shake hands, it’s essential to make sure that they have a good understanding of basic obedience commands like “sit” and “stay.” This will help you communicate better with your dog and make the training process easier.

Get your dog’s attention

Get your dog’s attention by calling their name or using a clicker. You can also use treats to get your dog’s attention, but make sure not to give them a treat until they have completed the behavior you’re asking for.

Place your dog in a sitting position

Once you have your dog’s attention, ask them to sit. You can use a treat to lure them into the sitting position, or you can gently push their rear down while saying “sit.” Make sure to praise your dog and give them a treat for sitting.

Hold a treat in your hand

Once your dog is sitting, hold a treat in your hand, and make sure your dog sees it. Your dog will likely start sniffing and pawing at your hand to get the treat.

Repeat the process

Repeat the process several times until your dog is consistently lifting their paw when you offer your hand and say “shake.” You can also try using a different hand or changing the position of your hand to make sure that your dog is responding to the command and not just a specific hand or position.

Phase out the treat

As your dog becomes more familiar with the command, start phasing out the treats. Instead of giving your dog a treat every time they shake hands, give them a treat every other time or every few times. Eventually, your dog will learn to shake hands without the need for a treat every time.

Practice regularly

Practice the shake command regularly to reinforce the behavior and keep it fresh in your dog’s mind. You can also try adding variations to the command, like using a different hand or having your dog shake with both paws.

Teaching your dog how to shake hands is a fun and easy trick that can be a great way to bond with your furry friend. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your dog can learn to shake hands in no time. Remember to always use treats and praise to reward good behavior, and practice regularly to reinforce the behavior. With a little bit of training, your dog will be shaking hands like a pro in no time!

Contact Puptown Houston now and book an appointment to learn more about dog tricks!