Choose treats that are not crumbly. Your dog may take more interest in sniffing out and eating the crumbs rather than paying attention to what you are trying to teach him. Examples of treats include bits of cheese or hot dog and small liver cookies. While you are teaching your dog to give you his paw, rewarding your dog with treats should always be paired with verbal praise. [1] X Expert Source Beverly UlbrichDog Behaviorist & Trainer Expert Interview. 30 January 2020.
If you have multiple members of your household, make sure that each person uses the same verbal command for this trick. Short, concise commands are preferable—your dog will understand and respond to these better than long phrases or sentences (e. g. , ‘It’s time to give me your paw’).
If you have an enclosed yard, you can train him outside with relatively few distractions.
Give him a verbal command (‘sit’ or ‘down’) as you press down on his backside. Immediately praise him and give him the treat when his bottom touches the floor. [6] X Research source Do not give him the treat if he stands back up and reaches for it. Firmly say ‘no’ if he does this. [7] X Research source Practice this several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Eventually, your dog will learn to sit and remain seated to receive the treat. [8] X Research source
When he lifts his paw, even if it is just slightly off the ground, immediately give him verbal praise (‘good boy,’ ‘yes’) and open your fist to give him the treat. [11] X Research source [12] X Research source You can still reward him if he simply shifts his weight to lift his paw—this is still an effort in the right direction. [13] X Research source If you are using a clicker, then you would click as soon your dog lifts his paw (or shifts his weight to lift his paw). [14] X Research source Use your other hand to grab his paw when he lifts it. [15] X Research source This will be easier if you are not using a clicker. Do not reprimand your dog if he uses his mouth. Rewarding only the desired behavior (lifting his paw) and ignoring the undesired behavior (using his mouth) will teach your dog to the repeat the desired behavior. If your dog doesn’t stretch out its paw, try picking up or tapping on their paw to encourage it. [16] X Expert Source Beverly UlbrichDog Behaviorist & Trainer Expert Interview. 30 January 2020.
Immediately praise and reward your dog when he lifts his paw in response to your verbal cue. The goal is to teach your dog to give you his paw in response to only your verbal cue, without you holding a treat in front of his nose. Gradually phase out the treats over several training sessions. [19] X Research source Do not repeat the verbal cue to get your dog to follow your command. [20] X Research source If your dog does not respond the first time, it could be that he does not yet understand the command. If this is the case, continue to practice the cue over multiple training sessions.
You can also teach your dog to lift both paws. If you would like to do this, use a different verbal cue for the other paw to avoid confusing your dog as to which paw he should lift. [22] X Research source
