How do I get my dog to shake?

When you look at your dog with expectation, imagining that it can gracefully stretch out its little paws to "shake hands" with you, but you only get its ignorant and innocent eyes, the feeling of longing and helplessness intertwined, I believe many pet owners have experienced it. Teaching a dog to "shake" is like an interactive game full of surprises and warmth. It can not only allow the dog to master new skills, but also deepen the trust and tacit understanding between you during the training process, adding countless joy and touching to each other's lives. ​

If you want to teach your dog to "shake", the preliminary preparation work is essential. Choosing snacks that the dog likes as rewards is the key. Whether it is fragrant chicken jerky, soft and glutinous cheese grains, or small ham sausage cubes, as long as it can make its eyes shine and its tail swing happily, it can become a "secret weapon" for training. Every snack carries your expectations and contains the motivation for the dog to work hard. At the same time, it is also very important to choose a quiet, comfortable and non-distracted training environment. In this way, the dog can focus on your instructions and will not be distracted by external sounds or things. When you set up this exclusive training world and watch the dog sniffing around curiously, the excitement of the upcoming training journey will arise spontaneously. ​

In the early stage of training, the core is to establish the dog's conditioned reflex to the "handshake" command. First, let the dog sit quietly in front of you. Its soft fur and focused eyes make you feel full of dependence. At this time, gently lift one of its paws, and say the command "shake" clearly and slowly, then immediately give it a snack reward, then gently touch its head, and praise it in a loving tone "Awesome". The dog may be a little overwhelmed at first, or even a little resistant, but as long as you repeat this action patiently, lift its paw again and again, and constantly strengthen the connection between "lifting paws - hearing commands - getting rewards", it will gradually understand that it can get delicious snacks and your love by doing the actions according to your requirements. Every time it raises its paw in a daze, it seems to be taking a step closer to you, and your encouragement and reward are the beacon that guides it forward. ​

As the training progresses, gradually reduce the auxiliary action of directly raising the dog's paw. When the dog sits in front of you, extend your hand, make a gesture to shake hands with it, say "shake" at the same time, and then wait patiently for its response. At first, the dog may tilt its head in confusion and not understand your intention. But as long as you maintain this posture, look at it with expectant eyes, and shake your hand at the right time to give it some hints, maybe it will tentatively move its paw. Once it has any movement to raise its paw, even if it only moves slightly, immediately give it a snack reward and enthusiastic praise. Your excitement and joy will be conveyed to the dog through your tone and expression, making it feel that it has done the right thing, so that it will be more motivated to continue trying. In this process, you will see that the dog has gradually become proactive from the initial confusion. Every time it actively raises its paw, it will make you excited, as if witnessing the birth of a miracle. ​

During the training process, it is inevitable that the dog will not cooperate. Sometimes, it may lose interest in snacks, or be unwilling to participate in training because of a bad mood or fatigue. At this time, never force it, let alone scold it. Dogs are very sensitive animals, and they can keenly sense your emotional changes. You might as well stop training temporarily, play with it for a while with its favorite toys, or take it out for a walk to let it relax. When it regains its vitality and is full of enthusiasm for you, try training again. You will find that in a relaxed and happy atmosphere, dogs are more willing to cooperate with you and learn new skills more smoothly. Every time it goes from resistance to active participation, it makes you more aware of the importance of understanding and tolerance, and makes the relationship between you deeper. ​

Teaching a dog to "shake" is not the end of training, but the starting point of more wonderful interactions. When the dog has mastered this skill, you can try to practice it in different scenarios, such as in the park, at a friend's house, etc., to consolidate its learning results. Watching it confidently stretch out its little paw in front of everyone and "shake hands" with everyone, winning waves of admiration and love, you will feel extremely proud of it. The dog can also gain a full sense of accomplishment and happiness from your pride and the praise of others. In the days to come, the simple action of "shake" will become a unique way of emotional communication between you. Every handshake is a transmission of love and a freeze frame of beautiful memories.