Train Your Dog to Shake Hand

To learn this dog training skill, your dog should already know to sit on command. If not, go to the “train your dog to sit on command” tip.

This dog training lesson begins with sitting your dog in front of you. Kneel down in front of your dog so that your position is relative to his. This prevents you from leaning over him.

Extend one of your hands with the palm facing up and say “shake” or whatever suits you. Sometimes your dog knows what it means and put his palm on yours.

If not, take his dominant paw by lifting his elbow about 2 to 3 inches. Slide your hand on to the paw and gently shake it.

Use the same phrase while you shake his paw. Praise your dog as

you are shaking his paw. Then reward him with a dog treat and release him with a commanding phrase "ok." Make sure you use the same word through out the dog training session.

Repeat this until he learns “shake” is his paws against your hand. You could practice this 5-7 times over the dog training course to get him used to it. Although on average, most dogs learn this rapidly; don’t punish him if he is a slow learner. Be patient to your pal.

The next dog training step is to teach him to shake your hand without your help. Begin this dog training lesson by situating your dog in front of you.

Reduce your posture by kneeling down in front of your dog. Extend your palm and say the command word “shake.” Give him a couple of seconds to respond. Don’t do anything just wait. If nothing happens, touch the elbow of the leg that was trained on and offered your palm again. When he lifts his dog paw, take the paw, praise, reward, and release.

This dog training step also requires repetition. Repeat for about 5-7 times over a dog training lesson or until he can lift his paw on to your palm without help.

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