How to teach SHAKE paws

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Rusty learned how to shake hands yesterday! Here's what we did.

1. Rusty is in sit position. Pick up his paw and click. Treat. Repeat x3-5. (No verbal commands at this point. Click as you are lifting the paw. Do not click before you lift - too early. Do not click after you've let go - too late.)
2. Place hand as if you're going to pick up his paw, palm up but pause and see if he offers the behavior. If he looks like he's thinking about it - pause a little more. If he's not thinking, pick up the paw, click, treat. Repeat.
3. Once he offers the paw. Click and give a JACKPOT treat (in other words several treats to solidify how GOOD he did).
4. Now that he's offering the paw, repeat 3-5x using the hand signal only.
5. Once you're sure he's got the hand signal. Add the verbal command like this: "Shake", show hand signal, pause, he lifts paw, you click, let go and treat. Simple! Do this 3-5x and then he should have it down!

GOOD LUCK

[Diane Margetts]

I'm reading this info more than participating. I did not emphasize clicker training with Dakota although I did introduce him to it. But to add some fun, now that you have the "shake" add the "high 5"! When they get the "high 5" down, you can do it from a distance and literally teach them to "wave" hello and goodbye!

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Thanks Diane!! I started teaching Lucy (my 16 month old) to do high 5 yesterday. I'll let you know when she's got it down pat. I loooooove the wave trick.... yes yes yes.. it's on my list!

I hope to see you around!

[2sforeqbpo84w]

Oh, I love the idea of 'waving'

[Adina P]

I taught Rosco "wave" last year with a target stick (a makeshift one that was really a barbecue skewer).