How to Train a Dog to Shake Hands

I thought I’d take a break today and teach you something fun like how to train a dog to shake hands. While many people think that learning how to train a dog to do any tricks is simply fun, and it is. It also serves a greater purpose. Training your dog tricks will help strengthen the bond between you and your pet and will also serve as mental stimulation for your dog. Just remember to have fun and not over do it.

I usually recommend people who want to learn how to train a dog to do tricks to start with the shake hands command. Because it is an easy command to master, once your dog has learned the command it will build her confidence (and yours) and you will be able to move on to tougher commands like how to train a dog to roll over for example.

For your dog to be able to do the paw command you must first learn how to train a dog to sit. I’ve written a detailed post about this and you can click the link above and read it if you haven’t already done so.

How to Train a Dog to Shake Hands

1. When learning how to train a dog to shake hands you must pick a word that you will use command your dog. The most commonly used term is “paw” but “shake” and “put-er-there” are also used to train a dog.

2. Once your dog is sitting, give your dog the paw command and lift her paw of the ground and hold it there for a few seconds while repeating the command. Reward your dog for giving you her paw using your dog’s favorite treat.

3. Eventually you should wait a bit longer each time before scooping your dog’s paw off the ground. Once you lift the paw off the ground you must always reward your dog. This will help your dog associate giving paw with that yummy treat your are holding in your hands.

4. Just like any dog training command, when you are learning how to train a dog to shake hands you should eventually be able to have your dog shake hands without lifting his paw. I do it all the time with my Boxer dog.

5. Many people will train a dog to shake hands with the right and left paws. You can do this by repeating the above steps with different paws. Then all you have to do is point at the paw you want your dog to lift. For me, one paw is enough!

Stay tuned for more posts such as:

How to train a dog to play dead
How to train a dog to roll over
And much more

Now that you know how to train a dog to shake hands go out there and do it.

Berto