Who is this trick for?
The “Shake Hands” trick is an easy one to teach. It’s one of the absolute classics and is an ideal entry for any human-dog team that wants to delve into the world of trick training. The trick requires mental effort, can be trained anywhere, and provides the foundation for more fantastic tricks. The age and physical fitness of the dog are less relevant for this exercise. The dog should, of course, be healthy and have no issues with joints in the front legs, injuries, etc. Then, there’s nothing stopping you from starting the training!
For puppies, the training should be adjusted so that neither ligaments, tendons, nor anything similar is overloaded. Patience is required for young dogs. Build the training gradually and don’t demand too much at once because the concentration span is not as pronounced at this age. Overloading should be avoided in dogs of all ages. Train in small steps with regular repetitions and sufficient breaks. This approach is more effective than long and irregular training sessions. Moreover, it preserves the fun, which should ultimately be the top priority. Let’s get started!
How do I teach my dog to shake hands?
Preparation is crucial, even for this trick. So, what’s necessary beforehand? Right, a calm atmosphere! You should train where you and your dog won’t be distracted. Explain to your family what you’re planning and that you need time for both of you. Therefore, train with your dog at a time and in a room where both of you can be undisturbed.
Also, think about how the handshake should look exactly. Should your dog place a specific paw in your hand, or should it look different? Having a clear picture in mind helps in successfully training the trick. It’s a good roadmap toward the goal.
Training aids
The clicker can be wonderfully used for shaking hands. The click sound allows you to precisely confirm any desired behavior from your dog, and it’s neutral in tone. But before you can start with that, you should condition the clicker first. This means your dog learns that after every click, a treat follows. Clicking is, so to speak, a promise of a treat. In addition to the clicker, you’ll need small, easily swallowable treats. Once your dog understands the principle, he’ll work motivatedly and wait for the clicking sound at the sight of the clicker.
How to condition your dog to the clicker
Sit down next to your dog and assume a comfortable position. In one hand, hold 10 to 15 small treats, and in the other hand, hold the clicker. Now, click and immediately give your four-legged friend a treat. Repeat this step until all the treats are used up.
To test if your dog has understood that the click means a treat, you can proceed as follows: Choose a moment when your dog is not paying attention and then activate the clicker. If he looks at you immediately after the click sound and approaches you in anticipation of a treat, he has understood the principle. If not, repeat the above-described step until it works. Only then can you move on to shaking hands.
Step 1
Mentally prepare for the training session and visualize your goal. You know exactly which paw (whether left or right) your dog should lift. Now you just need to let your dog in on the secret.
Sit down next to your dog on the floor and get comfortable. Have the clicker and treats ready. It’s easiest if your dog is in a sitting position.
Position your hand at the level of your dog’s chest. Now, wait. What behaviors does your dog offer? Each step that leads toward the desired goal is confirmed with a click and a treat.
At the beginning, lifting his paw will happen randomly. Your dog might also show other behaviors or even vocalize. However, none of these signs lead to the goal. So, ignore unwanted behavior. Click only when the behavior matches your goal. Your dog will no longer exhibit the ignored behaviors in the future since they don’t lead to success, i.e., click equals treat.
Step 2
Repeat the above exercise regularly. Your dog will quickly understand that he should place the corresponding paw in your hand. If this works well, you can extend the duration by delaying the click slightly. In other words, your dog should leave his paw on your hand longer and only then hear the awaited click.
Quick tip:
Stick with one paw initially. This way, you can teach your dog to lift the right paw in response to one signal and the left paw in response to another signal.
Once your furry friend reliably exhibits this behavior, it’s time to move on! You can now introduce a verbal cue, such as “Paw,” “Give-me-five,” or similar. Your dog needs a precise sequence so that he can make the connection between the auditory cue and the action. For this, you need a cue trigger. Stretching your hand toward your dog is such a cue trigger. By doing this, he knows he should shake hands and place his paw in your hand.
It looks like this:
- You give your desired verbal cue (e.g., “right paw”).
- You extend your flat hand toward your dog.
- Your dog places his paw in your hand.
- You click.
- Your dog receives his reward.
Repeat this step a few times.
Step 3
Once your dog has linked your auditory cue with the corresponding action and reliably exhibits the behavior, you can gradually phase out the clicker. You can either click the clicker in your pocket. This makes the sound quieter until you completely replace it with verbal praise, petting, or another reward. Alternatively, you can use the clicker only occasionally, reducing its frequency.
Tip:
Never lose the fun while training. If you or your dog is having a bad day, postpone the training. That’s absolutely fine. Your shared time and the fun factor should always come first. A new day means a new chance for a great training session together.
