Teach shake / give paw
Everyone's favourite party trick.
Shake is pure entertainment, but also a great proprioception exercise — your dog's awareness of his own body. And, honestly, it makes grandparents and small kids very happy.
What you get
- Improves proprioception
- Social trick the whole family loves
- Foundation for high-five, wave and hug
Party tricks also build vocabulary and confidence.
Before you start
- · Knows sit
Materials
- · Small treats
Step by step
- 1
Dog sitting, treat hidden
Sit your dog in front of you. Hide a treat in your fist and lower it to chest height.
- 2
Wait for him to try with the paw
Most dogs sniff, lick, mouth. Ignore. The second he lifts a paw to try to pry it open: "yes!" and open the hand so he gets the treat.
- 3
Repeat and name
After 5-10 successes, introduce the word "paw" right before lowering the fist.
- 4
Open hand
Now offer an open hand at chest height. If he places the paw: "yes!" and treat from the other pocket. Turns the hand into a visual cue.
- 5
The other paw
Repeat the whole process asking for the opposite paw. Use a different word: "other", "five", whatever. It's a new trick from his point of view.
Common mistakes
- Grabbing his paw with your hand and forcing (he doesn't learn, he yields)
- Asking for paw when he's excited or jumping
If something isn't working
He only scratches without lifting the paw cleanly
→ Reward progressively higher versions. If he lifts only 1cm, reward. Then only 5cm. Then only 10cm.
Pro tips
- Once both paws work, you can chain: "paw"-"other"-"five"-"high five". Each step is a new trick.
Deep dive
Shake is the first social trick most families teach their dog. It's an excellent diagnostic of the animal's motivation and problem-solving ability, plus a bridge to teaching more complex tricks like wave, hug or target.
Other exercises in this level
Loose-leash walking
Possibly the most frustrating exercise of all. Also the one that improves your daily life the most.
Teach your dog to heel
The difference between not pulling and formal obedience.
Teach "leave it"
What separates a trained dog from a four-legged vacuum cleaner.
Teach drop it
When it's already in his mouth, what matters is that he lets go without a fight.
Wait at the door
The most cost-effective rule: 10 seconds before every walk.
Go to bed / crate
A safe place your dog goes to on cue when you need him there.