How To Teach Your Dog To Shake Your Hand

We all know that dogs are intelligent and social creatures that love to learn new tricks and interact with their owners. But they need our help in learning these tricks. So if you would love to learn how to teach your dog to shake your hand or your friends’ hands, this article is for you.

One of the most popular tricks that dogs can learn is the handshake. Teaching your dog to shake hands is a great way to bond with your pet and to show off your dog’s obedience and intelligence to the public. It is a thing of joy to see your dog not just shake your hands but also obey most of the basic and advanced commands you give it.

With that being said, let’s look at the step-by-step guide on how to teach your dog to shake hands.

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How to teach your dog to shake your hand

Follow these steps to easily help you teach your dog how to shake hands:

Choose the right time and place

It’s important to choose a quiet and distraction-free environment to start training your dog. Your dog should be well-rested and in a good mood. It’s best to avoid training when your dog is hungry, tired, or overexcited.

Gather your training supplies

Before you start teaching your dog to shake your hands, ensure you have dog treats or snakes by the side for rewards. You may also want to use a clicker in this training for easier dispensing of treats.

Start with the “Touch” command

Before you start teaching your dog to shake hands, it’s important to teach them the “touch” command. This command will help your dog understand what you want them to do with their paw.

To teach the “touch” command, hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly move it towards their paw. When your dog touches their paw to the treat, say “touch” and give them the treat. Repeat this process several times until your dog consistently touches their paw to the treat when you say “touch.”

Move on to the “Shake” command

Once your dog has mastered the “touch” command, you can start teaching them the “shake” command. Hold a treat in one hand and offer it to your dog, saying “touch.” When your dog touches their paw to your hand, say “shake” and gently lift their paw off the ground. Give them the treat and praise them for doing a good job. Repeat this process several times until your dog consistently lifts their paw when you say “shake.”

Reinforce and reward

It’s important to reinforce and reward your dog for their progress. Offer treats and praise for every successful shake. Gradually decrease the amount of treats you give and increase the amount of praise.

Practice, practice, practice

Practice makes perfect! It’s important to keep practicing the “shake” command every day. Gradually increase the difficulty of the trick by adding distractions and practicing in different environments.

End on a positive note

It’s important to end each training session on a positive note. If your dog is struggling with the trick, take a break and try again later. It’s also important to not get frustrated or angry with your dog. Remember to be patient and keep the training fun and positive for both you and your dog.

How do you teach a dog to shake without treats?

While treats can be used as a reward for good behavior, it is also possible to teach your dog to shake hands without them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to teach your dog to shake your hand without treats.

Start by getting your dog’s attention

Before you start training, make sure your dog is focused on you. This can be done by calling your dog’s name or making a loud noise that will get their attention.

Hold out your hand

Show your dog your hand and keep it still so they can see it. Let them sniff your hand and get comfortable with it.

Give the “shake” command

Once your dog is focused on your hand, say the command “shake” in a clear and firm tone. You can also gently touch your dog’s paw with your hand to encourage them to respond.

Reward the action

When your dog lifts its paw, take hold of it and gently shake it. This is the time to offer verbal praise, such as “good dog” or “well done.” The praise should be given immediately after the action to reinforce the behavior.

Repeat the process

Repeat the process several times until your dog starts to associate the “shake” command with lifting their paw. It may take several sessions to get the desired result, so be patient and persistent.

Increase the difficulty

As your dog becomes more confident in their ability to shake hands, you can start to increase the difficulty by using your other hand or by asking them to shake hands with someone else. This will help to reinforce the behavior and ensure that your dog remembers it.

Gradually reduce the praise

As your dog becomes more confident in the trick, you can start to reduce the frequency of your praise. This will help to make the trick more self-rewarding for your dog and increase their confidence in performing it.

At what age can a puppy learn to shake?

Shaking hands is a fun and simple trick that many dog owners enjoy teaching their furry friends. But when is the right time to start teaching a puppy to shake hands? That’s what we are going to find out here.

Most puppies can start learning to shake hands at around 8 to 10 weeks old. At this age, puppies have enough control over their bodies to start learning basic commands and tricks. Additionally, puppies are typically very eager to please their owners and are highly motivated to learn new things. This makes them an ideal age to start training and teaching tricks like shaking and clapping.

Teaching your dog to shake hands is a fun and rewarding experience. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your dog will soon be shaking hands like a pro!

How to teach your dog to shake your hand