How to Train Your Dog to Give a Paw (6 Steps)

When you get started with dog training, there are usually a few basic things on your checklist. House training, teaching your pet basic commands like sit and stay, perfecting recall, walking on a leash without pulling, and then throwing in some basic yet fun trick like fetch and training your dog to give paw. 

The last one may not be essential for raising a well-behaved, well-adjusted pet but it’s definitely something we, as pet parents, enjoy watching our furry babies do. Besides, it fosters a connection and helps strengthen your bond with your pet. What’s more, it’s insanely easy to teach. So, if you’re a newbie pet parent, this is definitely a fun trick you can aspire to teach your dog all on your own. Of course, I’m here to help with this step-by-step guide to dog paw training.

How to Train Your Dog to Give a Paw/Shake Hands—6 Simple Steps

When I start training a puppy, giving a paw is usually the second or the third thing I work on, after “sit” and “stay”. It’s amazing to see how quickly these little puppers get a hang of it. From what I can tell, they surely enjoy it too. Definitely more than “stay”, I’d say. So, if you’re a novice pet parent looking for some fun yet simple dog tricks to teach your pet all on your own to bond with them better, teaching them to give a paw is the perfect place to start. 

This is one of those easy fun tricks to teach your dog that can be perfected in a matter of hours (not that you should train your pet for hours at a stretch, more on that later), and in as little as 6 simple steps—that’s including the groundwork you need to do to  get started with the training process. Sounds fun? Let’s get started:

Step 1: Choose the right environment

Popular canine trainer Victoria Stilwell says, “Creating the right training environment is crucial. Dogs learn best in calm, distraction-free settings.”

With that in mind, the first and one of the most basic dog paw training tips I have for you is to choose a quiet, distraction free environment to teach your dog to give a paw/shake hands. This ensures that your dog remains calm but focused on learning. 

Suggested Reading: Reactive Dog Training 101: How to Train A Reactive Dog

Step 2: Gather supplies for reinforcement

Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement done through rewards such as treats and praise. Explaining why that is, Karen Pryor, Author of Don’t Shoot the Dog!, says, “Reward-based training encourages them to associate good behavior with rewards, making them eager to perform the task.” 

Whenever you’re training your dog to learn a new command, skill, or a trick, it’s important to have the right reinforcement supplies by your side. This could be your dog’s favorite treats, a toy they absolutely adore (something high-value for your dog), and a clicker, if you’re using one for dog training. Of course, always be generous with your praise.  

Step 3: Introduce the command

Now that you’ve done the groundwork, it’s time to get started on how to teach a dog to shake hands/give a paw. Start by introducing the command to your dog by holding a treat in your fist and taking it close to your dog. Allow your dog to sniff your hand but don’t offer them the treat. 

Eventually, your dog will paw at your fist in an attempt to get the treat. When they do, open up your hand, say your chosen command—it can either be “paw” or “shake”—and immediately offer the treat. This is one of the best methods for teaching paw trick.  

Canine trainer Pat Miller says,

“Timing is everything in dog training. You want to reward the exact moment your dog exhibits the desired behavior, so they understand what you’re asking them to do.” 

Step 4: Repeat and reinforce

Repeat this process several times over, saying the command as your dog raises their paw and giving them the treat right after. With enough practice, your dog will make the association that they’re expected to offer up their paw when you say the cue word “paw” or “shake”.

“Repetition builds muscle memory for dogs. They thrive on consistency, so practicing the trick multiple times helps cement the association between the word and the action,”  says Cesar Millan, a canine behaviorist.

Step 5: Gradually remove the lure

Once your dog consistently offers their paw when you present your hand with the treat, remove the lure and ask your dog to offer their paw without a treat in your hand. If your dog performs the desired action, immediately offer them a treat. The idea here is to phase out the reward completely and get your dog to comply with your command without needing a lure. 

“The goal is to phase out treats gradually, so your dog learns to obey commands even when there isn’t an immediate reward. Praise and affection can become the new reward,” says Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinary behaviorist.

Suggested Reading: Dog Potty Training 101: Easy, Breezy Ways to House Train Your Pet 

Step 6: Practice and generalize the behavior

When you train your dog to give a paw, the goal should be that they can perform it reliably, irrespective of the circumstance or the environment. For that, it is important to practice this common in different settings and with distractions present. This helps your dog learn to generalize the behavior.

“Dogs are contextual learners, which means they may only respond to a command in one specific setting. Training in multiple environments ensures they can perform the behavior anywhere,” explains Dr. Sophia Yin, veterinary behaviorist.

Different Methods to Train a Dog to Give Paw/Shake Hands

There can be several different approaches to train a dog to give paw/shake hands, depending on your preferences and the style your pet responds to the best. While the overall steps remain the same, the process of guiding your pet to give a paw can vary. Here are some of the best methods for teaching paw trick you can choose from:

1. The hand targeting method

This method uses the dog’s natural curiosity and instinct to touch things to guide them toward the desired behavior.

How to teach

• Start by holding your hand close to the dog’s chest, palm open
• When the dog touches your hand with their paw (even if by accident), immediately say “Yes!” or “Good!” and give them a treat
• Gradually introduce the command “Paw” or “Shake” right before they touch your hand
• Repeat until they learn to place their paw in your hand on command.

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2. Using a clicker

Clicker training is a popular method of positive reinforcement that can be very effective for teaching “give paw.”

How to teach

• Get a clicker and some treats
• Hold a treat in your closed fist, as in the standard method
• Wait for your dog to paw at your hand out of curiosity. The moment they lift their paw, click the clicker and give them a treat
• Repeat until your dog learns to associate the action with the click and treat
• Once they’re consistently offering their paw, introduce the verbal cue—“paw” or “shake”

3. Capturing the behavior

This method of training a dog to shake paw works best with dogs who often use their paws to get attention or food, allowing you to take advantage of the behavior they already exhibit. If your dog tends to lift their paw naturally (for example, during excitement or anticipation), all you need to do is capture this behavior and reinforce it.

How to teach

• Observe your dog for times when they naturally lift their paw, such as when they’re sitting in front of you or waiting for a treat
• Each time your dog raises their paw, immediately say “paw” or “shake” and reward them with a treat
• Over time, they will start to associate the action of lifting their paw with the command and the reward

4. The physical guidance method

If you’re struggling to figure out how to teach a dog to shake hands because your pet doesn’t offer their paw readily, this method may be for you.  

How to use

• Sit or kneel in front of your dog
• Take one of your dog’s paws gently in your hand and say “paw” or “shake”
• Reward with a treat immediately after taking their paw, then release it
• Repeat this several times, but be sure to keep it light and gentle so your dog doesn’t feel uncomfortable
• After a few repetitions, your dog may start to lift their paw voluntarily when you say the command, as they will begin to associate it with a reward

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5. Using a stick or target object

This approach to how to teach dog to give paw works well for dogs that are highly visual or who enjoy pawing at thing

How to use

• Introduce your dog to a target object, such as a stick or a soft disc, and reward them for touching it with their paw
• Once your dog consistently paws at the object, place your hand near or under the object so they naturally paw at your hand
• Gradually remove the object and offer your hand, reinforcing the pawing motion with the command “paw” or “shake”

6. Using a raised platform

Some dogs may find it easier to give their paw if they’re standing on a raised surface, such as a step or low stool, where the action of lifting the paw is more natural.

How to teach

• Have your dog stand on a raised platform (like a step) with their front paws
• Hold your hand at paw level and encourage your dog to place their paw in your hand
• When they do, immediately reward them with a treat and praise

Also, watch this video to get a visual demonstration:

Takeaway

That’s everything you need to know about how to train a dog to give a paw. Remember, each dog is unique and may respond to training differently. So be patient and tweak your training method based on how well (or not) they respond. Given that you have a few different methods to work with, figuring out the right approach shouldn’t be a problem. The key is to figure out what kind of positive reinforcement your pet responds to the best, and then leverage it for training. Back it up with patience and consistency, and you should have your dog giving you a paw like it’s nobody’s business in no time at all.